Therapy for Adult Children and Parents in Philadelphia
Therapy for Adult Children and Parents in Philadelphia
The relationship needs to evolve, but you’re all stuck in roles from decades ago. We help you have real conversations instead of playing out the same parent-child scripts so everyone gets to be a whole person with valid perspectives.
You have your own life, career, and home, but your parents still treat you like you need constant guidance. They question your decisions, offer unsolicited advice about everything, and seem surprised when you handle things just fine without their input. The relationship needs to evolve, but you’re all stuck in roles from decades ago.
Therapy for adult children and parents in Philadelphia helps when you need your parents to see you as an actual adult. You love them, but you’re tired of being treated like you can’t make your own decisions. Everyone needs to figure out how to relate as adults, not just parent and child forever.
Benefits of Therapy for Adult Children and Parents
This therapy helps your parents finally see you as the capable adult you are. They learn to offer support without giving orders. You learn to set boundaries without feeling guilty. The constant friction about them “treating you like a child” finally stops.
After therapy, you can have real conversations instead of playing out the same parent-child scripts. You stop seeking their approval for every decision. They stop acting hurt when you don’t take their advice. Everyone gets to be a whole person with their own valid perspectives.
You’ll develop a relationship based on mutual respect between adults. Instead of them parenting and you rebelling, you relate as people who happen to be family. The relationship becomes richer when everyone can be themselves.
Our Approach to Adult Family Therapy
Adult family relationships need different rules than childhood ones. We help families recognize that even though they’ll always be your parents, the dynamic has to shift. This doesn’t mean disconnecting – it means connecting as adults who respect each other’s autonomy.
We address the fears on both sides. Your parents might worry about losing relevance in your life. You might struggle with guilt about needing independence. These unspoken fears often drive the behaviors that create conflict.
Our approach focuses on creating new patterns while honoring your history. You can maintain close family bonds without being frozen in childhood roles. Everyone’s needs matter, including yours.
What to Expect in Sessions
Sessions often involve both joint meetings and individual time. You’ll have space to express frustrations about feeling controlled or infantilized. Your parents can share their perspective too. Understanding each other’s viewpoint is the first step toward change.
We work on real situations that cause problems. How to respond to unsolicited advice. When to include them in decisions. How to share your life without inviting criticism. These practical scenarios let you practice healthier interactions.
You’ll develop clear agreements about boundaries and communication. Maybe they stop dropping by unannounced. Maybe you share more about your life voluntarily when not being interrogated. Small shifts create big changes in the relationship dynamic.
Areas We Serve
Adult children from across Philadelphia seek our help in navigating parental relationships. Whether you’re in Fishtown trying to establish independence from suburban parents, or in Graduate Hospital dealing with parents who think living in the city is dangerous, boundary issues don’t care about geography.
Many clients juggle parents in different locations. Your mom in Northeast Philly has different expectations than your dad in Jersey. Some parents are local and too involved, others are distant and guilt-trip about not seeing you enough. We help with all of it.
Online therapy works great when coordinating schedules between working adults and their parents. Video sessions also help when you need individual work but don’t want parents knowing you’re in therapy “about them.”
Philadelphia Therapy Office
In the heart of Center City Philadelphia, our office offers you convenient access to expert care. With flexible appointment times to accommodate your busy schedule, we’re committed to making your counseling journey as seamless as possible. Also offering online counseling in PA and NJ.
Ready to have an adult relationship with your parents while you still actually like each other? Schedule a consultation to explore how we can help your family evolve. You deserve to be seen as the adult you are.
