Kristin Davin, Psy.D, Licensed Psychologist

Individual virtual therapy in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Connecticut

Overcoming Family of Origin Challenges

What is a Family of Origin?

Your family of origin is the one you grew up with—parents, caregivers, siblings—the people who shaped how you see yourself and the world.

It’s where you learned how to express emotions, handle conflict, and connect with others. Some of those early lessons may still be helping you... while others might be holding you back.

Reflecting on your upbringing can give you powerful insight into current patterns—and help you start creating healthier, more fulfilling relationships going forward.

Five children in summer dresses standing in a sunlit field.

Common family of origin challenges:

  • Lack of emotional support or validation

  • Parentification and Emotionally Immature Parents

  • Enmeshment

  • Authoritarian or Controlling Parenting

  • Neglect or Abandonment

  • Substance Abuse or Addiction

  • Chronic Conflict or Dysfunctional Communication

  • Family Secrets or Taboo Topics

  • Abuse (Emotional, Physical, or Sexual)

  • Unresolved Parental Trauma

  • Role Reversal or Unrealistic Expectations

  • Cultural or Generational Conflict

  • Narcissistic Abuse

  • Toxic upbringing and environment

You don’t have to repeat the same patterns. Let’s start rewriting the story. Start your healing journey now!

Goals of overcoming family of origin challenges:

When you begin working through family of origin issues, the focus isn’t just on understanding the past—it’s about learning how to live more fully in the present. Here are some of the key areas we might explore together:

1. Setting Healthy Boundaries

You’ll learn how to protect your energy, say no without guilt, and create relationships where your needs are respected—especially if you grew up in a home where emotional enmeshment or blurred roles were the norm.

2. Managing Your Emotions with More Ease

Family patterns can leave deep emotional imprints. Together, we’ll build tools to help you recognize what you’re feeling, stay grounded during emotional triggers, and respond with intention—not reactivity.

3. Rebuilding Self-Esteem and Self-Worth

If you were constantly criticized, dismissed, or expected to be someone else, you may struggle to believe you’re enough. Part of the healing work is rewriting those old stories and learning how to affirm your worth—on your own terms.

4. Creating Healthier Relationship Patterns

Old family roles (like the fixer, the peacemaker, or the invisible one) often show up in adult relationships. Our work will focus on helping you break free from these roles and create connections based on emotional safety, mutual respect, and open communication.

5. Healing Emotional Wounds and Unresolved Trauma

Whether it’s big “T” trauma or the slow drip of emotional neglect, we’ll create space to process what you’ve carried—and begin to let go of what no longer serves you.

6. Discovering Who You Really Are

Sometimes, healing means finally asking: Who am I when I’m not trying to please or protect everyone else? You’ll get to reconnect with your own values, needs, and desires—and start living from that place of clarity