Key points

Ethical therapists recognize that healthy relationships are built on safety and agency, not genetics.

Therapist shouldn't impose their cultural or personal beliefs about family onto their clients.

Family estrangement has protected people from experiencing continued abuse.

Why would a qualified, ethical therapist support their client’s decision to estrange from their family? Aren’t families sacred relationships that must be preserved at all costs? Not always. In fact, family estrangement can be beneficial to many people in therapy .

Here are three common reasons why therapists might support family estrangement.

1. Promoting Safety and Agency

Without safety, therapists have little foundation to stand upon. Clients who are not safe or who feel unsafe in therapy are unlikel

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