Navigating Boundaries and Grief: Dr. Caitlin Fang's Journey Through Family Mental Health Challenges

A Little Help For Our Friends

12/26/24 • 70 min

Text Dr. Kibby and Jacqueline!

When faced with the heart-wrenching decision to set boundaries with a loved one battling mental health issues, the choice is never easy. Many of us choose to estrange ourselves and cut off contact with difficult parents for our own wellbeing, but we also risk losing them forever. In this special episode, psychotherapist Dr. Caitlin Fang returns to share her deeply personal experiences with her mother, who struggled with depression, substance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder. She takes us through the emotional labyrinth of setting boundaries to protect herself and her child, while navigating the turbulent waters of unresolved grief after her mother's passing.
Dr. Fang's story sheds light on the complex dynamics of mental health within families. As she reflects on her upbringing, Caitlin shares insights into how her mother's mental health challenges shaped her resilience and empathy as a therapist. We explore the difficult balance between anger and forgiveness, the emotional tug-of-war of supporting a parent in crisis, and the profound realization of not being able to save a loved one from their struggles.
***Thinking of setting boundaries with a difficult family member or a loved one with mental illness? Book a free call with Dr. Kibby to get the support you need

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Explicit content warning

12/26/24 • 70 min

A Little Help For Our Friends - Navigating Boundaries and Grief: Dr. Caitlin Fang's Journey Through Family Mental Health Challenges

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:15.412

Hey , little Helpers . We've done quite a few episodes now about having complicated family members . We've talked about what it's like to set boundaries with those family members , what it's like to kind of be in relationship to them and try to help them , and we've talked about what it's like to be estranged from them ,

Speaker 100:00:36.820

and now we're

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