ABOUT THE AUTHOR & THE BOOK

About The Book

Book Description

You need this book if you work with women. With 1 in 12 people reporting estrangement from at least one family member (Agllias, 2016), how can clinicians feel prepared to address the possible treatment focus of estrangement in the therapy space with women? Specifically, estrangement as it relates to the painful, ruptured relationship between mothers and daughters? Whether the client’s goal is reconciliation or permanent estrangement, clinicians must be equipped with tools to hold space for their clients in ways that are helpful and supportive to their estrangement process. This book serves that purpose by taking professionals on a journey through The Estrangement Energy Cycle, highlighting the various stages with powerful stories of nine brave women in therapy. Thanks to the perspective and added insight these clients provide through their own therapeutic work, both mental health professionals and adult women can feel better equipped with the skills needed to tackle the emotional rollercoaster that is Estrangement Energy.

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A Book for Clinicians

Estrangement is an emotionally charged and stigmatizing experience for women. This book will explore the stages of estrangement between adult daughters and their mothers for mental health professionals who serve women. The content of this book focuses on 1) introducing the Estrangement Energy Cycle, 2) illustrating different stages of estrangement through client stories and 3) provides practical tools for mental health professionals to engage with clients around estrangement from a therapeutically supportive and non-judgmental space.

Distinguishing Features

Written by a trained, licensed mental health professional
Introduces estrangement as an experience with measurable stages for comprehension
Provides 24 therapeutic tools throughout the book
Identifies warning signs in the mother-daughter relationship
Engages readers through the captivating stories of nine women in therapy
Offers a self-assessment tool for clinical competencies in estrangement
Includes processing questions for group therapy and book club discussion

Reviews & Quotes

I sincerely recommend Understanding Ruptured Mother-Daughter Relationships: Guiding the Adult Daughter's Healing Journey through the Estrangement Energy Cycle for anyone in the mental health field working with adult clients. This book offers a detailed look at the many different catalysts for an adult daughter to end their relationship with their mother through 9 different case studies as well as through the current research on this topic. The case studies allow a mental health professional to step outside of their current perceptions of what causes these types of ruptures by sharing the many different nuances that can play a part. Khara offers a framework and tangible strategies to work with clients considering estrangement from their mother through the Estrangement Energy Cycle. This framework provides mental health professionals a way to conceptualize these cases and walk alongside their clients to determine their next best steps on their healing journey.
-Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS, Arvada Therapy Solutions, PLLC
Reviews & Quotes

A compassionate approach to an issue that is too often seen as taboo and uncomfortable, Khara Croswaite Brindle's book is an essential guide and must-read for clinicians, therapists, life coaches, and other mental health professionals who work with adult daughters estranged from their mothers. Understanding Ruptured Mother-Daughter Relationships thoroughly explores the aptly named Estrangement Energy Cycle through the experiences of several of the author's clients and offers therapeutic tools and practices. This book will also be helpful to anyone who knows, cares about, or loves an adult daughter who is estranged from her mother.
— Karen C. L. Anderson,
author of Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters: A Guide For Separation,
and Liberation & Inspiration;
Reviews & Quotes

Understanding Ruptured Mother-Daughter Relationships addresses the complex traumatic fallout when this primary relationship disintegrates. It maintains a delicate neutrality that allows for a range of outcomes including permanent estrangement and the path forward. This is a deeply insightful contribution to our understanding of these dynamics.
— Barbara Forgue, LPC, Center For Human Potential
Reviews & Quotes

This book is simply outstanding. I am impressed with Khara Croswaite Brindle’s thorough and engaging writing style, which provides insight and application for healing the wounds of maternal estrangement and difficult mother-daughter relationships. Croswaite Brindle shows passion in writing this book and uses a hope-filled approach to address a difficult topic. As a professional counselor specializing in relationships, I highly recommend Understanding Ruptured Mother-Daughter Relationships to mental healthcare providers and those desiring to experience hope and healing.
— Rebecca S. Trouse, MA, LPC, NCC, BCPCC