The Mother Wound

‘Tis the season for special traditions, twinkling lights, and navigating family dynamics. Whether you're heading home for the holidays, or simply staying in town, the most wonderful time of the year can become the most stressful time of the year when personalities and preferences collide. By intentionally setting boundaries ahead of time, we can lessen the impact of challenging family dynamics over the holiday season.  Read my recent blog post to learn more.

Anger. This heavy word carries with it a burdensome load of emotions, especially for those who experienced a Mother Wound. For many in this situation, they were taught that anger is wrong to feel and “bad” to express. As a result, the complexity of emotions beneath the anger is left unattended. When the layers of anger are peeled back, many discover a well of hurt that drives their thoughts, actions, and emotional patterns. In order to heal, the anger needs to be recognized, shared and befriende…

Many of us go through life carrying around unexamined baggage from our childhoods in one way or another—and we sometimes pass it on without even realizing it. So how do we break the cycle?

With a person-centered approach, holistic techniques, and a trauma-informed lens, we as clinicians can help Daughters of Critical Mothers overcome their trauma. Within the safe space of the relationship, these resilient women own their story, step into the light, and learn to reach their highest potential.

From the moment we enter this world, we look to our mother figure for safety, security, and a sense of belonging. As our primary attachment figure, the mother’s presence plays an immensely significant role in self-development. What happens when the maternal presence is inconsistent, critical, or even toxic?