Brad Shore - Childhood Trauma and The Effects of Emotional Incest

Brad Shore, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, has extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced emotional incest. He believes that this type of boundary violation can profoundly impact a person's emotional and psychological well-being, and that it is crucial to address it in therapy.

Brad Shore - Childhood Trauma and The Effects of Emotional Incest

Emotional incest, also known as covert incest, is a type of boundary violation that occurs when a parent uses their child as a surrogate partner for emotional support. This can happen when a parent confides in their child about adult issues, relies on their child for emotional validation and support, or places their child in the role of a confidant or ally.

One of the challenges with emotional incest is that it can be difficult for the child to recognise that it is happening. In many cases, the parent may be unaware that they are placing their child in an inappropriate role or may believe it is harmless. However, over time, the child may feel overwhelmed, burdened, or confused by the parent's behaviour.

Brad Shore emphasises the importance of establishing healthy boundaries in therapy for those who have experienced emotional incest. This can involve identifying the patterns of behaviour that have been problematic, developing skills for setting and enforcing boundaries and addressing any underlying emotional wounds that the parent's behaviour may have caused.

One of the keys to healing from emotional incest is recognising that it is not the child's fault. Children who are placed in these situations often feel responsible for their parent's emotional well-being and may struggle with guilt, shame, and confusion as a result. In therapy, clients can work on developing self-compassion and recognising that they are not responsible for their parent's emotional needs.

In conclusion, emotional incest is a type of boundary violation that can profoundly impact a person's emotional and psychological well-being. Brad Shore, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, has extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced emotional incest. He believes that it is vital to address this issue in therapy by establishing healthy boundaries, addressing underlying emotional wounds, and developing self-compassion. If you have experienced emotional incest, seeking the help of a qualified therapist can be an important step in your healing journey.

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Brad Shore - Childhood Trauma and The Effects of Emotional Incest