TOXIC FAMILY HELP

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Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties

Dr. Sherrie Campbell
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Toxic family is real. Toxic parents are real. Smear campaigns are real. Toxic in-laws are real. You are not alone. On this podcast, you have a voice. On this podcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell will help you learn more about your family dynamics, unconscious patterns that drive toxic human behavior, and ways to deal with your trauma. And most importantly, you will embark on a journey that will help you know yourself and love yourself more. Dr. Sherrie is a nationally recognized expert clinical psychologist with over 25 years of clinical training and experience. She was featured in major media networks such as CNN, Time, USA Today, and The Huffington Post. She is the best-selling author of But It’s Your Family…Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath and Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself. She is a mom who bravely shared her story to help more people break free of toxic family relationships and thrive in the aftermath. Subscribe now to get your monthly "Sherapy Sessions" (Sherrie Therapy Sessions) straight from your phone.

  1. 29 APR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Silence Is a Side: When Family Neutrality Protects the Abuser

    In this powerful episode of Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties, Dr. Sherrie dives deep into the myth of neutrality within toxic families. When someone says, “I don’t want to take sides,” they’ve already chosen a side, the side that keeps the abuser comfortable and the survivor silenced. This episode explores how silence becomes complicity, why families protect abusers, and how survivors can reclaim their peace and moral clarity. 🔍 What You Will Learn ✨ Why “staying neutral” is actually a form of enabling 🔥 How toxic families hide behind the illusion of peace and image management 💬 The difference between real compassion and cowardly avoidance 💣 Why silence validates abuse 🧭 How to set boundaries with family members who “don’t want to get involved” 💪 Ways to stand in your truth even when your family refuses to ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    22 min

  2. 22 APR ·  BONUS

    Randi Crawford: Letting Go Without Losing the Relationship (Bonus Episode 46)

    🌱 Episode Overview Many parents were taught that love means constant involvement, fixing, and sacrifice. But what happens when care turns into control and closeness becomes pressure? In this episode, Dr. Sherrie sits down with Randi Crawford, a certified life coach who helps parents, teens, and young adults build healthier relationships rooted in autonomy, trust, and real connection. Together, they explore how stepping back doesn’t mean abandoning your child, it means allowing them to grow. This conversation is especially supportive for parents who grew up in toxic or emotionally enmeshed families and are determined not to repeat those patterns with their own children. 🧠 What We Cover ✨ Why over-functioning often comes from fear, not love ✨ How anxiety disguises itself as “good parenting” ✨ What healthy autonomy looks like in real families ✨ Letting teens stumble safely without pulling away ✨ Differentiation without emotional disconnection ✨ Breaking generational cycles of guilt and control ✨ The difference between influence and emotional pressure ✨ How boundaries create closeness instead of distance ✨ What happens when parents stop chasing, fixing, and rescuing ✨ Rebuilding trust when a child starts pulling away ⸻ 💬 Key Takeaways 💡 You can be deeply connected without being emotionally entangled 💡 Stepping back is not abandonment, it’s respect 💡 Boundaries calm relationships, they don’t threaten them 💡 Letting go of control often creates more closeness, not less 💡 Your child’s discomfort is not a parenting failure ⸻ 🤍 This Episode Is For You If… 🌿 You’re a parent who worries you’re doing too much or not enough 🌿 You grew up in a toxic family system and want to parent differently 🌿 You fear that letting go means losing the relationship 🌿 You want closeness without control or guilt 🌿 You’re learning how to trust both yourself and your child Randi Crawford is a certified life coach who has worked with hundreds of parents, teenagers, and young adults to help them navigate the emotional and often stressful realities of life in the 21st century. Known for her straight-shooting and unapologetic parenting videos on social media, Randi resonates deeply with moms who feel unseen or stuck in their transition from full-time parenting to part-time guiding. Prior to her coaching career, Randi co-founded Women First HealthCare, a pioneering company that reached over 10 million women with health solutions. She is now developing a unique parenting playbook, focusing on raising teens with confidence while minimizing over-parenting. Randi's approach bridges the gap between generations, helping parents loosen control without losing connection, while empowering young adults to build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. She addresses issues like communication breakdowns, boundary-setting, anxiety, and academic stress, guiding families through tough transitions with clarity and calm. Regularly quoted in the media, including Parents.com, Newsweek, NY Post, and FOX News Digital, Randi shares her relatable and straight-talking advice as a guest on numerous podcasts. Her honest perspective creates a safe space for real conversations that foster growth for everyone involved, making her a vital presence in the modern parenting journey. ***** Episode Sponsor: Betterhelp Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care. ***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 📌 [Podcast] The Difference Between the Silent Treatment and No Contact (Bonus Episode 6) - https://apple.co/4mfFrOS 📌 [Podcast] What is the difference between abandonment and no contact? - https://apple.co/3NMRhmZ ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH RANDI: 📌 Website: https://www.randicrawfordcoaching.com/ 📌 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@randicrawfordcoaching 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randicrawfordcoaching 📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-crawford-34a4204a/ CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    1hr 1min

  3. 15 APR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Why Survivors of Toxic Family Abuse Tend to Shame Themselves When They Need to Rest

    If you have ever felt guilty for resting, called yourself lazy for needing a break, or believed you had to earn your downtime, this episode is for you. 💔 In families where love was conditional and expectations were sky-high, rest was rarely safe. Survivors of toxic family abuse often carry deep shame around doing “nothing,” even when their bodies and minds are begging for a pause. 😞🧠 In this episode of Sherapy Sessions, we will unpack 🍵 Why rest feels threatening to survivors 🧱 How toxic family patterns shape our inner dialogue 🔁 What it means to overfunction as a trauma response ⚠️ The red flags that you’re shaming yourself for resting 🛏️ Why rest is a radical act of healing 🛑 And how to begin reclaiming rest as your birthright, not a luxury 🧠 Why survivors often stay in “go mode” as a way to feel safe 🫣 How internalized guilt keeps you stuck in hyper-productivity 📍 Simple, actionable tools to release rest shame and reclaim your time ☕ How to build calming rituals that help your body feel safe enough to pause 📣 Red flags that you’re overcommitting to avoid discomfort or judgment ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    22 min

  4. 8 APR ·  BONUS

    A Survivor’s Voice — Healing, Humanity, and Breaking the Silence with David Weeks (Bonus Episode 45)

    Today’s episode brings you a powerful and deeply needed conversation with David Weeks — a survivor of complex trauma and sex trafficking who has turned his lived experience into advocacy, education, and hope for others walking their healing path. 💛 David survived all ten Adverse Childhood Experiences before the age of fourteen. His early life was shaped by profound family dysfunction, chronic trauma, and emotional abandonment — the kind that leaves a child questioning their worth and humanity. Yet David’s story isn’t defined by what happened to him. It’s defined by the strength he’s built and the voice he’s reclaimed. 🔥 In this conversation, David opens up about: 🔸 Growing up in a family environment where safety and care weren’t available 🏚️ 🔸 How trauma shapes a child’s identity long before they have words for it 🧠 🔸 Navigating family silence, denial, and the grief of the family you needed but didn’t have 💔 🔸 The stigma male survivors face — and why breaking that silence matters 🧡 🔸 The early signs that healing was possible and the steps he took toward reclaiming himself 🌱 🔸 How he’s redefined family, boundaries, and belonging as an adult 🌿 🔸 Why advocacy became part of his purpose and how he protects his well-being while doing this work ⚖️ David’s voice brings visibility to male survivors who are often overlooked or dismissed. His presence in this space is vital, and his insight is a reminder that trauma doesn’t get the final word — the survivor does. 🙏 If you’ve ever faced childhood trauma, complicated family dynamics, or the loneliness that comes with being chronically unseen, this episode will speak to your core. 💫 David Weeks is a complex trauma survivor who’s story speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. David was raised by a narcissistic mother and anti-social step father and describes his family to that of a cult. They would inflict torment and abuse for over two decades and by the time David was just 14 years old, he would have experienced all 10 Adverse child experiences. At age 13 he started looking for love, something that he never experienced, and the 39 year old who lived just down the street would exploit and sexually assault him. That first rape would turn into many many more as he was trafficked. David is now a coach helping other survivors heal and shares his story to break the silence and stigma that so many face. Currently he is writing his memoir “surviving childhood” which he plans to share soon. ***** Episode Sponsor: Betterhelp Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care. ***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 📌 [Book] The Sears Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two - https://www.amazon.com/Sears-Baby-Book-Everything-About/dp/0316387967 📌 [Video] Breaking the Silence of Male Trauma Survivors - https://www.ted.com/talks/debra_warner_breaking_the_silence_of_male_trauma_survivors ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DAVID: 📌 Website: https://www.weekstraumarecovery.com/ 📌 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healing.with.david 📌 Email: david.trauma.recovery@gmail.com 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djweeks_ CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    43 min

  5. 1 APR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Reparenting Yourself: Becoming the Loving Parent You Never Had

    If you grew up in a toxic family, chances are you never received the love, safety, or guidance you truly needed. That absence leaves wounds, but it also leaves an opportunity. Through personal reflection, inner child work, and practical exercises, you’ll discover how to reconnect with your inner child, break old patterns, and nurture yourself into wholeness. 🍎 What reparenting really means and how it ties into inner child healing. 🍎 Why survivors of toxic families often need reparenting to break cycles of pain. 🍎 Signs you might need to reparent yourself…like constant self-criticism or people-pleasing. 🍎 Simple, powerful practices for showing up for your inner child. 🍎 How to nurture yourself emotionally with self-care, compassion, and community. 🍎 Red flags to watch out for, like perfectionism or resistance to self-compassion. ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    20 min

  6. 25 MAR ·  BONUS

    Parallel Parenting, Generational Trauma, and Raising Kids Who Don’t Carry the Weight with Jennie Guay (Bonus Episode 44)

    Parallel parenting isn’t about being distant or disengaged, it’s about protecting emotional safety when co-parenting isn’t possible. In this episode, we explore how high-conflict dynamics, unresolved trauma, and control patterns can spill into parenting after separation, and how parallel parenting can interrupt generational cycles instead of passing them down. This conversation focuses on coping through the process, staying regulated under pressure, and intentionally raising children who don’t inherit the chaos you worked so hard to escape. 🔍 What We Cover 🧩 What parallel parenting really is — and why it’s often misunderstood 🔥 How generational trauma shows up in post-separation parenting 🛑 Why “trying harder” with a toxic co-parent often backfires 🧠 Protecting your nervous system so your child’s can heal 🧱 Boundaries that create safety without escalating conflict 📱 Tools that reduce emotional exposure and power struggles 🧒 Talking to kids without oversharing, blaming, or minimizing 🌱 How healing quietly teaches your child a different way 💬 For Parents Who Are 💗 Feeling drained by high-conflict co-parenting 💗 Trying to stay calm while being provoked or undermined 💗 Afraid their children will internalize dysfunction 💗 Committed to ending cycles, even when it’s lonely This episode is for you. ✨ Final Thought ✨ You don’t break generational trauma by winning arguments. You break it by becoming the safe place your child can return to — again and again. Jennie Guay is the Founder of JG Divorce & Break Up Coaching and Advisory and a certified and accredited divorce coach who supports individuals and families through some of life’s most emotionally complex transitions. Grounded in both professional training and lived experience, Jennie brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to divorce, breakups, and blended family dynamics. She is the creator and host of the Why Are We Whispering? Podcast, a bold platform dedicated to addressing the traumas, trials, and deeply uncomfortable experiences most people endure but feel too embarrassed or shamed to speak about. The podcast was created to give a voice to those who feel silenced and to bring awareness to the darker side of the human experience through honest, unfiltered conversations. As a stepmother, Jennie has firsthand experience navigating blended families, the dysfunction of the family court system, and the impact of high-conflict personalities and personality disorders; experiences that became the driving force behind her advocacy work and coaching practice. She is also the author of the children’s book Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends, created to provide representation, inclusion, and normalization for blended and diverse families. At the core of her work is a deep commitment to advocacy, awareness, and empowering those who feel unseen or unheard. ***** Episode Sponsor: Betterhelp Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care. ***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 📌 [Book] Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends by Jennie Guay - https://www.amazon.com/Howie-Blend-Playdate-Adventures-Friends/dp/1919623108 📌 [Podcast] Why Are We Whispering? With Jennie Guay - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-are-we-whispering-with-jennie-guay/id1709659183 ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH JENNIE: 📌 Website: https://www.jgdivorcecoaching.com/ 📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-guay-77720219/ 📌 Email: jennieguay@jgdivorcecoaching.com 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywhisperpodcast CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    53 min

  7. 18 MAR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Myth of the Perfect Family: How Society Gaslights Survivors of Toxic Families

    If you grew up in a toxic family system, you already know how painful the abuse was. What I’ve seen—both in my own life and in the lives of the survivors I work with—is that what can hurt just as much, sometimes even more, is what happens when you try to protect yourself. Instead of support, you’re met with phrases like, “But they’re your parents,” “You only get one family,” or “You’ll regret cutting ties.” I’ve watched these cultural messages quietly rewrite survivors’ stories. The focus shifts away from the harm you endured and onto the boundaries you set, until you start questioning your own reality instead of questioning the abuse. In this episode, let’s unpack the layers of this myth together. 💚The Origins of the ‘Perfect Family’ Myth 💚The Cultural Obsession with Family Loyalty 💚The Role of Media 💚How Society Gaslights Survivors 💚Why the ‘Perfect Family’ Myth Is Harmful 💚Red Flags That Society Is Gaslighting You 💚Reclaiming Your Narrative 💚Closing Thoughts ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

    20 min

  8. 11 MAR ·  BONUS

    A Son Confronts Family Secrets with Rich Boerner (Bonus Episode 43)

    What happens when the truth you uncover about your family changes everything you thought you knew about love, loyalty, and belonging? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Sherrie sits down with Rich Boerner, author of A Son Confronts Family Secrets, to talk about what it means to face generational denial, uncover hidden truths, and reclaim your voice from the silence you were raised to protect. Rich opens up about his journey from compliance to confrontation—how unraveling the lies at the center of his family story forced him to redefine home, healing, and forgiveness on his own terms. If you’ve ever been the “keeper of peace” in a family built on secrets, this episode will remind you: telling the truth isn’t betrayal—it’s liberation. In This Episode: 🍎 The emotional cost of keeping family secrets 🍎 What happens when you stop protecting the family image 🍎 Rebuilding your identity after the truth comes out 🍎 How grief, anger, and compassion can coexist 🍎 The courage it takes to tell your story publicly 🍎 Why silence protects the wrong people 🍎 Reclaiming love and loyalty on your own terms ✨ Key Quote from Rich: “Sometimes confronting the truth isn’t about destroying your family—it’s about finally saving yourself.” 💫 Takeaway from Dr. Sherrie: Family truth-telling isn’t rebellion. It’s repair. You’re not breaking the family—you’re breaking the illusion that kept you small. Rich Boerner is a celebrated audio producer, author, and voice talent whose career has taken him across major media hubs from New York and Los Angeles to San Francisco and Portland. Known for his ability to build and transform audio platforms, Rich played a key role in launching two of the nation’s most successful FM talk stations—Real Radio 104.1 in Orlando and 97.1 FM Talk in Los Angeles. As the industry shifted toward digital, Rich helped pioneer new frontiers in podcasting. He was instrumental in the early development of PodcastOne and later led the Los Angeles operations for Cadence13 (now part of Audacy), shaping studios and teams that produced content with some of the world’s most recognizable voices. His collaborations span icons such as Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Adam Carolla, Jemele Hill, and Steve Austin. Beyond producing, Rich’s own voice has been featured in national campaigns and audiobooks. His memoir, The Not‑So Only Child, shares the deeply personal story of a family discovery that reshaped his life. His work has earned recognition from the Webby Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Broadcast Radio Awards, underscoring his impact on both traditional and digital audio storytelling. ***** Episode Sponsor: Betterhelp Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care. ***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 📌 [Book] The Not-So Only Child: My True Story by Rich Boerner - https://www.amazon.com/Not-So-Only-Child-True-Story-ebook/dp/B0FMJWVV4H 📌 [Documentary] Three Identical Strangers (2018) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Identical_Strangers 📌 [Book] The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz - https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 ***** NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX ***** MY TEDx TALK: 📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH RICH: 📌 Website: https://rbcreative.com/ 📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-boerner/ 📌 Email: rich@rbcreative.com 📌 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richboerner 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richboerner/ CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE: ⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from your inbox. Subscribe to Dr. Sherrie’s email list, go to https://drsherriecampbell.com/

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Toxic family is real. Toxic parents are real. Smear campaigns are real. Toxic in-laws are real. You are not alone. On this podcast, you have a voice. On this podcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell will help you learn more about your family dynamics, unconscious patterns that drive toxic human behavior, and ways to deal with your trauma. And most importantly, you will embark on a journey that will help you know yourself and love yourself more. Dr. Sherrie is a nationally recognized expert clinical psychologist with over 25 years of clinical training and experience. She was featured in major media networks such as CNN, Time, USA Today, and The Huffington Post. She is the best-selling author of But It’s Your Family…Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath and Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself. She is a mom who bravely shared her story to help more people break free of toxic family relationships and thrive in the aftermath. Subscribe now to get your monthly "Sherapy Sessions" (Sherrie Therapy Sessions) straight from your phone.

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