Sibling Estrangement

One of the most freeing aspects that comes with our deliverance from sibling estrangement is when we start to recognize that our sibling can’t meet us at our level of depth, signaling their lack of emotional capacity. This particular deficit is an important factor to consider when it comes to the wedge that exists between siblings. In this article, we’ll explore what is the n...

People sometimes approach me wanting reconciliation with their siblings. They share how they are encouraged by what they see, and hope that it can be maintained over time. What they see, are likely what are called “Turning towards” behaviors. In this article, we’ll discuss what exactly these look like, how their absence can damage the relationship, and how ultimately, if main...

Learning the underpinnings of sibling estrangement can be multifactored. It can require us to learn more about the psychology of defense mechanisms, biases, and attachment styles, just to name a few. Another important factor to consider is the emotional maturity of parents. In this article, we’ll explore the ideas of Lindsay C. Gibson’s book “Recovering from Emotio...

All sorts of defense mechanisms arise when we speak of how our sibling relates to us in different social contexts with them. One that is seldom discussed, but tends to happen to some of us is what’s called ambiguity. As we’ll come to see, ambiguity can be a power play that our sibling may further use against us, as a means of weaponizing the relationship in yet ano...