A Therapist Explains The Hidden Family Dynamic No One Talks About

Ever had a parent overshare personal struggles, lean on you for emotional support, or make you feel guilty for prioritizing your own life? This dynamic is called emotional incest or parentification—a subtle but harmful form of emotional abuse where a child is forced into the role of a caretaker for their parent. In this video, Steph Stolzenbach, LCSW, breaks down: What emotional incest looks like in day-to-day life Why some parents do this (abandonment trauma, lack of a support system, etc.) The lasting impact on children (anxiety, depression, relationship struggles) Steps to recognize & heal from it