Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation with Fern Schumer Chapman

Therapy For Real Life Podcast

Therapy For Real Life Podcast Host Anna Lindberg Cedar, MPA, LCSW interviews Fern Schumer Chapman to discuss her latest book, Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation. Chapman's book combines memoir with survey research findings to describe the painful experience of sibling estrangement and how to understand this neglected topic. Chapman describes the ripple effect that estrangement can have in families and mental health implications that individuals often experience as a result. Estrangement is a highly stigmatized experience that can cause harm to one's self-esteem, impacting relationships far beyond those who are immediately estranged. Chapman shares the challenges that she and her brother faced as they began the long process towards reconciliation. Together, Cedar and Chapman discuss self-care strategies that individuals and families can use to promote post-traumatic growth after a painful experience of estrangement. Reconciliation may or may not be an option for those experiencing estrangement, yet Chapman shares key insights into how to set personal boundaries to protect a healthy sense of self, regardless of whether reconciliation is available, or even advisable. This is not therapy. This is Real Life. Therapy For Real Life. Learn more: TherapyForRealLife.com and WorkshopsForRealLife.com .