Family Estrangement: From Guilt and Grief to Rebuilding and Renewal

In this conversation, Adri and Violetta explore the topic of family estrangement, specifically within the BIPOC community. Violetta shares her journey as a Mexican licensed mental health therapist and how her personal and professional experiences led her to focus on family estrangement through her practice, Latinx Estrangement.Adri and Violetta discuss the misconceptions surrounding estrangement, such as the assumption that reconciliation is always the goal. They delve into the emotional spectrum of estrangement, including the role of guilt, grief, and the need for safety and boundaries. Together, they examine how collectivistic and individualistic values influence the experience of estrangement and the impact of cultural norms like machismo and marianismo.The conversation highlights the importance of addressing emotions, offering support to those navigating family estrangement, and the power of creating new traditions and communities. Violeta also emphasizes that healing from estrangement often focuses on rebuilding oneself rather than seeking reconciliation.Guest BioVioletta is a licensed mental health therapist and founder of Latinx Estrangement, a practice dedicated to supporting individuals navigating family estrangement, particularly within the BIPOC community. Violetta’s work focuses on breaking down the misconceptions around estrangement and providing the emotional support and resources needed for healing and renewal.LinksTherapist Profile: https://latinxtherapy.com/therapists/violetta-m-fernandez-lcsw/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinx_estrangement/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@latinxestrangement?lang=enChapters:00:00 Introduction and Violeta’s Background03:03 Introducing the Topic of Family Estrangement05:15 Inspiration and Focus on Family Estrangement09:15 The Influence of Personal Experience on the Approach to Estrangement12:32 Misconceptions and Barriers to Recognizing Family Estrangement17:05 The Role of Collectivistic Values in Family Estrangement21:33 Cultural Values and Family Estrangement27:14 Understanding the Spectrum of Family Estrangement34:09 Navigating Guilt and Grief in Estrangement38:24 Rebuilding Oneself and Establishing New Traditions44:37 Supporting Loved Ones in Estrangement