Support and guidance for recovery, growth, and healing
Family estrangement, relationship health, and boundaries; Autism/PDA; LGBTQ+; substance use recovery; eating disorders . . . Connect to community, help lines, information, education, and other tools and resources to address these things and more.
Family estrangement, “the silent epidemic”
Research shows that over a quarter of the American population—close to 70 million people—are estranged from a close relative.
Studies reveal that estrangement can negatively impact mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and low self-esteem.
Parents and young adults going “no contact” find themselves thrust into an unexpected grief process. Family members forced to choose sides suffer too. When is reconciliation the answer? Is it possible? How?
The following list offers links you to expert insights, guidance, information, and strategies to navigate the pain of fractured family relationships and to explore paths toward peace and healing.
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Psychologist specializing in parent and grandparent estrangement
Author of Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties & How to Heal the Conflict @dr.josh.coleman on Instagram
Dr Karl Pillemer, PhD
Sociologist, family estrangement researcher
Author of Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them
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Matthias Barker, LMHC, educator and founder of Estrangement.com @matthiasjbarker on Instagram and TikTok
Kris Reece, Christian counselor, speaker, coach focused on a Biblical approach to tough relationships, boundaries, and codependency
Dr. Jack Stoltzfus, professional therapist, “launch coach,” and author of The Parent’s Launch Code: Loving and Letting Go of Our Adult Children, and founder of Parents Letting Go
Autism Resources
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”
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Though housed in the UK, this organization abounds with information and resources, including online community, support strategies, mental health and wellbeing, relationships and socializing, among other important topics. Visit the National Autistic Society.
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Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado can connect you to a wealth of resources for kids with ASD and their families: diagnosing, toolkits, facts, caregiver resources, treatment, and more. Explore PMHI now.
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Support, education, and resources for for families, professionals, and PDA individuals
According to PDA North America, “Many (including us) view (PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) as a profile of autism, with some recent studies linking it to ADHD as well as other neurodevelopmental conditions.”
Learn more at https://pdanorthamerica.org.
Substance use treatment and recovery
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (Treatment Referral Routing Service), TTY: 1-800-487-4889i: a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Suicide prevention and care
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Are you in crisis? Having thoughts of suicide? Reaching out is the first step. Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741 for 24/7 free and confidential support.
AFSP connects you to help if you are in crisis or have a loved one who is at risk. Also, for people have lost a loved one to suicide, AFSP offers support for processing that singular type of loss.
LGBTQ+ support and crisis services
ASFP Crisis Services for LGBTQ+ People
A heartbreaking percentage of our youth (ages 13-24) in this population have completed, attempted, or seriously contemplated suicide. The AFSP has support resources and hotlines for our sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, students, and friends who are in crisis experiencing mental health distress. ASFP can also connect you to a local chapter and treatment providers who are trained in therapy specifically for people who are LGBTQ+.
Help for people impacted by eating disorders
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
Do you suspect that you have an eating disorder? The NEDA connects you to relevant resources, such treatment providers in your area, help lines, nutrition counseling, among other important resources. If you are a parent or caregiver of a loved one impacted by eating disorders, you will find support and education resources.
