Do you have an adult child under 30 who’s pulling away from you?
It could be part of a normal process of development called differentiation.
We all know that children eventually (or rapidly!) grow into adults, but not without going through some developmental stages.
It’s easy to see these stages in kids’ behavior when they’re young. For example, something they used to love is now boring, or vice versa.
But technically, all of us remain adolescents until we’re 25. And even after that, we continue to develop and change throughout our lives.
“Who Am I?”
Differentiation is one of the most important developmental tasks we face in life. As we grow, we form our own identities as adults, distinct from our families of origin.
This process generally doesn’t happen all at once. Most of us will work on it throughout our lives.
If you’ve ever felt inexplicably stressed out, or like a younger version of yourself, while visiting your own parents, you’ve felt the ache of unfinished differentiation business.
At some point their lives, most people leave their parents’ home either physically or psychologically in order to forge their own path in life.
Usually there’s some physical separation from family that occurs naturally, such as when young people go off to college or to travel when they come of age.
It’s psychological and emotional separation, however, that helps with the process of adult identity formation.
Parenting the Differentiating Young Adult
The mature parent-child relationship is different, but by no means less loving, than the early parent-child relationship.
Parents will always be parents. But the nature of the parent role changes from one of total responsibility to one of enjoying the fruits of those early parenting labors.
Parents of adult children take a loving interest in the activities of their now-independent offspring, but they’re no longer responsible for their welfare.
Mature parents can still hold a respected, though no longer necessarily central, position in their children’s lives.
The child’s role changes drastically, too, as she turns into an adult.
She has to navigate the gradual shift from being completely dependent to becoming a free agent, operating by her own internal guidance system.
This shift to adulthood means the child has to figure out who she is as an independent entity, and what her life is going to look like. How will it be the same as her parents’? How might it be different?
Parents give their young adults psychological space (e.g., by not being “in their business”), young adults work to consolidate their own personalities, and the relationship resumes.
Giving Them Space
Sometimes this necessary process of differentiation is hard for adult children because of an extremely close relationship with one or both parents.
The transition from childhood to adulthood can be impeded by parent, child or both sensing a change in the relationship that feels alarming to them. The status quo is comforting in its familiarity.
The young adult is, in some ways, still a child. But in important ways, he’s grown into an individual whose interests or desires are unique to him — no longer just a reflection of his parents’ values.
He needs psychological and emotional room to find out who he is, independently of his family.
The space young people take often ends up being physical, because that’s the easiest way to set boundaries.
It may be harder for him to say to his parents, “I don’t want to see you every week” than it is for him to move to Cincinnati.
That way, there’s no question of whether he’ll be home for dinner on Sunday (he won’t), and he can have some of the freedom he needs during this time of growth.
This can be a confusing and painful time for parents. What happened to the love? Where did the respect go? What did I do wrong?
Trust the Process
If your adult child is in his/her 20s, it’s likely that differentiation is at least partly, if not entirely, to blame for his or her apparent reluctance to stay in touch.
You know the saying, “If you love something, set it free… “?
Remember how the rest of it goes: “If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.”
If your child was ever yours, you’ve got a good basis for having her come back when she’s through with the upheaval of this task and more or less on the other side.
So take heart! … And maybe take up a hobby. See your friends. Do the things you never had time to do when they were young.
Inspire your children with your zest for life.
(See the follow-up post, Differentiation, Part 2)
See also Chapter 2 from the Guide for Parents of Estranged Adult Children.
That’s lovey Tina… it is a pity we don’t know this when we set out on the path of parenting… learning to let go of my daughter was forced upon me by default.. I was too intrusive and close … , if I had known these things there would have been so much less pain for both of us..I have written my letter of apology and she is a little more communicative now.. we talk and she has invited me to see her .. it might only ever stay at that level. I hope your right though .. I hope she comes back… but I know she will be a different person if she does.. we all change and allowing people to change and accepting them for those changes is also a very important thing to be able to do if you want the other person to differentiate and be free. !!
Letting go of children you’ve raised for many years is tough but if you know ahead of time what to expect it’s easier to let them go and grow into adults. Kind of like planting seeds in the ground then seeing the flowers. If you kept pulling it out of the ground to check the roots it wouldn’t do so well. As always thanks Tina.
Jenny, I’m really glad your letter of apology had a positive effect. I wish you and your daughter all the best.
Peggy, I love your flower analogy. It’s really fitting.
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts. I think it’s worth remembering that all of us are constantly working on differentiating ourselves. Sometimes being left behind (in a sense), while painful, can create opportunities for personal growth.
Hi Tina.. I am struggling . My 21 year old transgender son left a year old saying the most awful things to me about being an awful mum, selfish etc etc. Some of the things he said were so hateful.
I have bought him up on my own along with his 2 sisters, been there , supported him , done everything I could so he was happy . I was a bit over protective at times because I have c-ptsd and I overthink and worry about everything, but it was only because I loved him so much and his father hadn’t been around since he was 3 years old. He had things on his mind over the last 3 years , tried to talk to him , we went to the doctors but nothing changed. I met someone, turned out to be a abusive narcissist, my son hated him. It ended after 5 months. Dylan seemed to hold those 5 months against me as though I had done something so bad, he was my first boyfriend in years. I’m not sure if Dylan wanted to find a reason to be angry with me but he started acting nasty towards me . That’s when it came out that he realised he’s transgender and wants to live as a female. It was a shock but he was still my child and I loved him regardless. I said I would support him with whatever he wanted me to. He told me that he had never wanted me to find out. Not sure why. In the space of a month he had meet friends who were also transgender and went to live in Bristol. I took him up there . We spoke a bit to start With but on one conversation was when he told me all this vile stuff about me. He even said that just because I’d pushed him out of my vagina, he owed me nothing. Since thst day I have heard nothing. I wrote a letter explaining that I wasn’t sure what I had done to make him feel like he did and whatever it was I was sorry. I worded the letter carefully. Still nothing. It breaks my heart everyday . I love and miss him so much. I have even had suicidal thoughts to end the pain. Would you be able to give me any advice please. Thank you
I’m very sorry to hear about the estrangement of your adult child; I can tell you’re in pain and it’s good to know you’re seeking support. I’m not sure where you are, but we have a suicide prevention lifeline in the U.S.: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ There is almost certainly something like this where you live. Please make use of it if you have thoughts about ending your life. That’s a decision that can’t be undone.
While I’m not able to offer personal advice here about your situation, I can recommend starting or continuing with competent, trauma-focused counseling for yourself based on your C-PTSD. Please prioritize this.
Based on what you wrote, I also recommend educating yourself as the loved one of someone in the LGBTQ community. In the U.S. there’s an organization called PLFLAG, and I expect there may be similar organizations in other countries. Good luck and all the best to you.
If you haven’t already read it, I recommend my book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. I wrote it to help parents figure out what might be going on, and what they can do about it.
In most cases I see, there is a lot that parents can do to not only feel better, but to repair their relationships with their adult children and themselves. Please hang in there while you gather resources.
Hi Tina,
I am 23 and the oldest child of 4 in my family – the youngest is 10. I think that my parents and I have been going through this since I graduated from college about a year ago. For various reasons, I have lived at home and won’t leave until I get married in July. My parents are really worried about me trying things I didn’t want when I was younger and losing track of “who I am”, but I sometimes feel absolutely smothered. I wish there was a way for them to understand your post and not worry so much about me or act like I’m making terrible decisions and can’t be trusted. I appreciate knowing that I am not the only one who goes through this – thank you!
Thanks for adding your perspective to the conversation, Audra. Good luck with this passage. It can be rocky.
And by the way, figuring out how to be an individual while also being half of a couple is tricky, too! You’ve got your work cut out for you. But you can do it.
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials and all the best to you and yours.
I think your post is so wise Audra…it sounds like your really aware of what’s going on….perhaps its the case that the child is more in tune than the parent.. I know I wasn’t at all prepared …the trouble was I just wanted to keep being the parent… no-one said” ok you did a good job its time to let her take flight” I am sure there’s lots of parents that understand it’s important to let go … but there’s lots of others that don’t quite realise it.. I think parents find it hard to let go of parenting and of course they never really do but they need to adapt to their children’s transformation into fully fledged capable individuals…. and don’t forget that parenting for most people is the most important job of their lives… that’s a big deal and a lot to let go of…, Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming marriage… you’ve a lot to juggle but you are great to be able to be worried about your folks and how they will handle things as well as deal with all that’s going on for you…I am sure they will cope and you will too … I guess try to be patient if you can !
Congratulation on your upcoming wedding. These are tense time for you and your parents. Parents are not monsters any more then young adults are. I feel the more one loves and fears the more one smothers. I would rather have loving and smothering parents than parents that did not care. I am sure after your wedding is over you will be making your new boundaries…. Things will start to resolve on its own.
In the mean time enjoy the moment of being single. No, one enjoys a monster bride.
Tina, it’s always refreshing to read your blog. You are the few therapist who stay in middle wisely. Our daughter has Estrange us & it hurts bad. I don’t think she has any idea the pain she has caused. Is this all her fault. No. I did not understand that family genetic disorder would have such a big pull. The voices in her head tells her she was the parent from the time she was born we were the child & now she is tired of parenting & needs to cut us off. She has bonded with her Aunty who gave up the custody of her three children to the father, who she has accused in court of being abusive, insane, useless & does not take care of the kids. The other aunty also walked out on her 8 year old. Our only crime is we love our daughter dearly & yes we did advise her when she asked our for opinion.
I’m sorry to hear you’re estranged from your daughter, Lulu.
It sounds like you believe her to be suffering from a genetic disorder that’s contributing to her estrangement. If that’s the case it’s a terribly sad situation and I’m very sorry to hear it.
I like to think there’s always hope, though. To the extent that your daughter has any grip on reality you may be able to reach her with your compassion and understanding. Those are powerful tools for bonding; even people in the grip of full-blown schizophrenia have been known to respond to kindness and the will to understand.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I wish you and your family all the best.
Dear Tina , Its Mothers Day here in Ireland and I wish I could have sent you a big bunch of flowers to say thankyou !!. I trusted in your advice and followed it , having initially and for a long time endured absolute emotional devastation, my daughter contacted me today and said she was coming to visit despite me feeling our relationship had completely died…. I know its because I followed your advice….THANKYOU so so much Tina…. I know its me that has to show my daughter that I see her as a full grown adult now, and be alert to situations where she might feel I am trying to undermine her ( even though I am absolutely not) so I suppose in that sense I can still look after her without her feeling like I am on her case, but instead my job now is to be mindful and aware of her feelings.
What a lovely way to put that, Jenny (what you said in your last line). The selflessness inherent in your plan is exactly what makes parenting so difficult, and no doubt your generosity of spirit has contributed to your daughter’s desire to continue the relationship. Well done!
Thanks for sharing the wonderful news, and a belated Happy Mothers Day to you.
I would like to know what qualification Tina Gilbertson has ? and what age her own children are ? I have read her blog on this heartbreaking situation and have reeled in astonishment at her portrial of all parents being self interested /quilty of some abuse emotionally that they inflicted. These “children” will be parents of adult children themselves one day and just come back here in 25 years time and tell me they have got it all right … I was truely shocked at the harm this could have inflicted on anyone looking for some support in a heartbreaking situation, myself included !
Gill: Absolutely. They are teaching their children how to teach them which means they may very well be estranged by their own children. Also the devastation to grandparents is enormous. It is actually abusive to use your children as pawns and withhold them from loving grandparents.
No one can possibly be an expert in this area of estrangement as it is too new. It is clear which side of the fence Tina is on. Tina, you are harming when you categorically state that if there is estrangmement it is the parent’s fault, that they alone need to work on it, etc. Pathetic hogwash. Being a psychologist, MFP, or whatever you are does not make you wise nor an expert. Or of any help to anyone. Many so called “experts” in the field of psychology/psychiatry (which is not evidence based nor a science) do much harm anddamage. All you need to is look up the history of psychiatry in the united States to see the shameful and deplorable things that have been done in the name of a “pseudo-science”.
It always sad to hear when someone has suffered from estrangement Gill, its a horrible experience, for me I felt utterly heartbroken and bereaved. I am not sure where you get the idea that Tina is painting parents as self interested or guilty of something awful, I understood her as suggesting we try to accept our share of the responsibility whenever we can but also allow our children the space and opportunity to say what it is they need to say … that might involve us holding back our own feelings about the situation or perhaps writing a letter of apology for anything we might have done to upset them … this is a salutary approach to a situation that might not be remedied by vehemently defending our own actions… I really hope you manage to work things out with your children Gill, I followed Tina’s advice and I have had some positive results… good luck !!!
Hi Tina,
Son moved away and not responding to my phone calls or his father calls. Before he moved away he often told me he will move away and we are never see him. He is mad for something and me and my husband asked him several times but he does not want to talk. He will talk to our friends but not to us.
Please give us an advice what can we do. We want him to have separate life but we want to see him once in a while and make sure he is ok.
thank you
Mila, thanks for writing. My best advice is contained in the articles I’ve written on the topic. There are at least 5 on this blog and another on my website at http://tinagilbertson.com/estrangement.html. Good luck and best wishes to you and your family!
Dear Tina,
Have you any advice for a 64 year old (me) whose mother believes she has every right to interfere and correct her “childrens'” behavior? She has virtually no life – no friends or interests – outside of her family of six offspring, and she drives some of us crazy with her incessant worry and efforts to manipulate our actions. It has created a situation where I really don’t even like being around her anymore.
I have a 23 year old son who will not speak to me. We are a large, blended family that lost a child 11 years ago to a drinking/driving accident. That forever changed us. When we saw our 23 year old son excessively drinking, coming home from college because his grades were terrible, we were concerned. He finished is Associates. He came home several nights at the point of black out. We didn’t think he would drive drunk because he would always get an Uber or taxi. He refused to acknowledge that he had a problem. One night he woke us at 4am after being in a single care accident near our home but he could not find his car; it was in the woods. He was belligerent. We called the police knowing that he would be arrested for a DWI. He blew a 0.17 and his blood alcohol level was 0.15. We also refused to by him a new car. He was using his Father’s truck until his license was taken away for failure to install a alcohol breathing device in his car. He has moved into his girlfriends apartment and does not hold steady job. He did re-enrol in school for which we helped him get loans but, after spending $40K on his previous 5 years of school, we are not paying any more. This is the child that I was the closest to growing up. He never challenged me or the rules in high school. He was a bright, happy child. I fear for his life and after losing another child, we had to get his attention. The things he says to me are horrific. I was a good Mother. He will now not speak to me and says that I am dead to him. I am heart broken. I miss him.
Estrangement from one’s own child is always heartbreaking, and it’s surprising how often it happens with children who were once close. It’s easy to understand your concern about losing another child — I’m terribly sorry to hear of that loss — and it’s so hard to accept that one can’t keep them safe even when they’re kids, let alone once they’re out on their own.
At 23, your son is still technically an adolescent, and likely going through separation and individuation from family. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend reading the section called “Dealing with Differentiation” in Chapter 2 of the Guide for Parents of Estranged Adult Children. I hope you find it helpful.
Thank you for your comment, and take care.
My only daughter who is my only child just turn 21, she decided to cut off communication with me and the rest of my family since 3weeks ago, she believes that my family all hates her, she also believed that I support my family, she left her daughter of 3yrs old with me and have not keep in touch since 3 weeks today, she don’t even find out about her own daughter, I feel so disturb inside, can anyone advice me on what to do pls.
First – it’s not your fault! Second – thank goodness she has left your grandchild with a caring loving person – more spite could be that she took your grand child and you didnt have contact. I would not bang on doors, keep calling, send text or emails constantly to find out how she is – however this could now have been a long time since you had any response from her – are there any agencies which can help with missing persons which dont involve the police or escalating matters. My fingers are crossed she has made contact – and also new bonds are emerging.
Whatever young adults are thinking or going through I dont think we can just put rose coloured specs on to say ‘ he/she is adapting’ I think a lot of respect for parents and parental guidance has flown out the window – teens and children alike seem to think they are owed respect. Authorities, Schools and Police seem all to have problems with this age group as the developing children think there are no rules or authority figures – and hence more troubles! If there was no abuse or constant fighting – then someone leaving the security and sanctity of the home cutting off those who have nurtured and supported them without good reason is not showing a fully developed way of thinking. My aunt used to say you cannot put a wise head on young shoulders – and youth is wasted on the young! May be both sides have to learn new ways to communicate – what your daughter liked when she was 6 years old is very different to being 16 and then 26 years old – the world can be frightening with lots of ‘what you should have done’ ….remember you could only have done it the way you did.
My daughter left under a cloud 4 years ago and barely talked – she now communicates and we have a ‘fractured’ not broken relationship. It is hard and also very different for the loving mother daughter relationship we had before. I continued to garden – and we now talk on gardening and plants – it has taken a long, long time and still spells of weeks without contact – but I know she is safe and also happy. I am no guru – my step daughter who lived with us for a while advising she had issues with her step dad left us at 14, some 6 years back and would not make contact other than to say she wished to be ‘adopted’ by the very man she said she once said she hated! – it broke my husbands heart. There were no rows or fights and we suspect some poison was spewed by others who missed her when she left them…also not making contact with her paternal mother. However – not a day goes by I dont think of her and hope she is doing well in the world. We would love her to make contact but not to be some kinda patsy she can take cheap shots at. We have to move on, not be bitter and not to try and find some kind of understanding to it all – there simply is no logic – it is what it is. Don’t make a shrine – but do love her from afar. Be grateful for the time you did have with her and your grandchild and that she is somewhere in the world – some parents do not have that good fortune when children are lost ….or may never become parents. What you had was good & special and can never be replaced with a syndrome. Be grateful for what you have ….and stop the worry for what will not be.
Thank you, Tina. This article was very helpful to me as I am feeling the loss and pain of estrangement from my 23 y/o daughter. Always a difficult and emotional child, once she turned 13 she became clinically depressed and I have become the bad guy in the family ever since. Before that we were extremely close. Neither one of us is perfect but I’ve always tried to be a loving and supportive mother. My husband, as well as his counselor, tell me to give her space and time so that is what I’m doing.
This article, as well as part 2, have helped me understand my daughters perspective in a much clearer view. Looking back I realize I went through a similar separation with my own mother. She and my father had such a busy life that I’m not she ever really noticed! And good for her.
Being a fairly recent empty nester it seems like the perfect time for my husband and I to make each other the priority, especially with the passing of both of our fathers in the past 6 months. I only hope my daughter comes back around at some point as I love her with all my heart. Again, thank you.
Hi Tina!
When I found your first two chapters online I felt like I had been handed a gift! I was immediately validated by much of what I have experienced with my daughter! I was so excited about the possibility of more answers to many of my questions, I decided that YES!,I would go ahead and order the rest of the book! It has been tough but I have gotten through it and learned a lot of great techniques on how to contact and communicate effectively keeping in mind that as the parent, my child comes first!
I’m a little disheartened because even though there is the differentiation excerpt for children under 30, it mostly addresses kids who are going off to college or traveling abroad or simply leaving the nest.
What about teenagers who still live at home? Specifically if the teen lives with one parent and is estranged from the other and they still live in the same city? My daughter is still a minor legally but cut herself off from me. Legally her father and I are supposed to have equal shared custody. (I could go on and on about this.)
Do you have any other writings that specifically address teens ages 13 through 18?
When I purchased the book I had really hoped that there were going to be sample emails that would address lots of different ages and situations, specifically teenagers. While much of your content is applicable to estrangement in general, I couldn’t find anything other than brief statements that say that differentiation begins in the teens. Your specific instructions on your website read:
“Note to parents: Read this first if your TEEN or YOUNG ADULT child has cut you off”.
That link took me directly to the differentiation article about young adults who are no longer living at home.
I really need some help!
My heart is broken.
Thanks so much for taking time to read my comment.
First, I too would like to know the personal experience of the author….which I feel makes a huge difference when giving advice. I am a physician and my son who is 27 finishing his doctorate in bioengineering was given the finest education, attention, and love that most children could only dream about . Perhaps we spoiled not with materials but with affection and love.
In high school he stopped sharing his personal life with us which I can accept. What really hurts is that now he has very little connection with us or the rest of our family, he has this entitlement mentality, and he has no time for us because he is too busy yet he has plenty of time for his friends.
He is ungrateful for all that my wife and I have done for him…and he has a distorted view of life thinking he was abused because we forced him to go sailing with us during the year. Perhaps my wife and I should have gone sailing and forced him to work at grocery store or fast food chain but we really want him to focus on his studies, music, and love of sports. As I said….spoiled with too much love and attention.
It has been 6 months since he has called us and I can do is wipe the tears off my eyes and give him space hoping that one day when he has children and grows up to be a man that he will understand the abusive HE has been to my wife, family, and myself.
Best to all…..no substitute for life experience on this one.
AR
AR, I feel your pain. I’m not sure that we, as parents, are totally responsible. We were very close to our son and he was a little over thirty when he became alienated from us. He was going thru anorexia (serious enough to require hospitalization for re-feeding). His wife disapproved of us being involved with his recovery. She wanted to brush things under the rug and we wanted to address things directly. His wife and I had an ugly interaction and our relationship with our son was never the same. We have formal content with an adult person who we do not recognize. I’m sure it is in part due to the biochemical changes from years of anorexia. I mourned his loss and it is now as if my son died.He is an awesome adult and father and wee watch his life as if it is a theatre production. We miss him and always will but life happens. I hope you will find resolution even if it is not the happy ending you would choose.
I’m on the opposite side. I’ve cut my mother off. I’m 44 yrs old. The problems that I have with my mother is that she does not respect boundaries. She comes in like a wrecking ball and tries to tell everyone what we should do. I dealer with this for 9 yrs until I couldn’t take her controlling anymore. When things did not go her way she would talk bad about the children’s father. Which the children loved their father and defending him. She continued until they were adults. Now they cut her off as adults now. Because she cannot respect people’s boundaries. You don’t call her when she thinks you should call her or anything she wants. She will call and threaten you that you’ll get taking out of her will and etc. I don’t care about money. I don’t care who she leaves her money with after she is gone. I want no part. It’s been 5 yrs since I’ve talked to her. My life has gotten better and I’m healing. Because I removed the toxicity from my life
I’m 21 and I live with my mum and brother. I don’t talk to my mother. For example, yesterday she came back from work and I was in the same room as her and I want to go upstairs to do my own thing. As I’m leaving, she tells me to wait and I’m like ‘what?’. She says are you going to sit down with me for two minutes and ask me how my day went, etc and I say no. She replies with an amazed wow. And she wonders why and I tell her because I don’t care. And then she asks me ‘why are you living with us?’ And I say because I am.
For at least one or two years it’s been like this. I’ve just been in my own room doing my own thing alone (nothing immoral).
My family aren’t bad people, I just don’t care.
Between the ages of 1/3 or 4 and 11 or 12, I used to be more extroverted and then roughly around then my parents seperated, so I wasn’t always this closed-off and distant.
Just in case you’re wondering, I’m not in communication with father.
It sounds like you’re feeling pretty numb, Anon. Is there something your mom could be doing differently, or is this more about you? Are you feeling closed off and distant in general, or is it mostly at home? What do you think is going on?
It would be nice tohavean article about how to identify behavior that is not healthly differentiation, or warnings of deeper relational issues. My child turned 18 and suddenly packed a bag and left. It has been 1.5 years and I have only seen her once. she stole a car when she left. I also found out she had lived a lie or double life for about 8 months before leaving, told her friends she was abused to get sympathy and an apartment full of food and furnishing – posted for “help” on social media, stole$1000 from a grandparent, and dropped out of university. She also told my sister abuse lies to use her and now my sister hates me and is estranged. I don’t think this is normal differentiation. She has reached out via text twice with casual “hi how is it going?” But I am honestly scared and horrified at who she has become and don’t know how to respond. How do I try to build a relationship? is she a sociopath – it’s like she went crazy. No idea how to move forward. I have grieved the loss of a daughter who was not real and probably never existed. Before I found out all the crazy lies and garbage I had emailed and met her to apologize and ask how I could change for her. The response was ” I don’t know be nicer… You made me feel dumb sometimes.” She seems to think destroying my life, stealing, lying is okay, and the situation is no big deal. now pretends nothing happened, doesn’t care and living off some guy she met. What do I do? For now I stay away but feel so empty, lonely and destroyed. Therapy does not help
Chantel, I feel for you in your pain. Of course lying and stealing cars is not evidence of normal differentiation. Those are acting-out behaviors, and acting out can be caused by relational difficulties. Of course, it also causes relational difficulties, which creates a cycle of destruction that’s incredibly sad to witness.
Whenever someone says that therapy hasn’t helped with feelings of emptiness and loneliness, it suggests to me that they haven’t had good therapy. I hope you’ll try again despite the lack of past success.
Maybe try the Trauma Therapist Network? Therapists who specialize in trauma are sometimes more effective in helping clients understand, sit with, and start to heal emotional pain.