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Catherine Hickem

Catherine Hickem

Author, Psychotherapist & Founder of Parenting Adult Children Today

AuthorExecutive CoachLife CoachLeadershipRelationships
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Catherine Hickem Podcast Episodes

ResponseABLE Parenting

ResponseABLE Parenting

143. It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent with Catherine Hickem

April 27, 2026

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About this episode

EVEN THOUGH I am not a parent to an adult child, I was struck by how many things Catherine shared that we can be doing NOW as parents of young children to set us up for an incredible relationship when our kids are older.

For over 40 years, Catherine Hickem has helped families navigate emotional complexity with clarity and purpose. A licensed clinical social worker, seasoned psychotherapist, and executive coach, Catherine has worked with thousands of parents and professionals alike—guiding them through seasons of conflict, change, and growth.

Through her platform, Parenting Adult Children Today, she provides resources that are clear-eyed and compassionate, rooted in both clinical experience and personal story. Catherine speaks with empathy and credibility, as a professional who has seen these wounds play out in therapy rooms, and as a mother who has walked the path of reconnection and herself.

Her message challenges parents to reflect rather than react, to trade control for curiosity, and to do the inner work required to become a safe and steady presence in their children's adult lives.

Catherien's upcoming book It's Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent is coming out this year, and you can find Catherine here: https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com/

🎉STOP YELLING! How to create a resilient and responsive ADHD home🎉

If you are sick and tired of the same repetitive behaviors and want to see real and permanent changes with you and your ADHD child, make sure you attend my upcoming FREE masterclass.

I will walk you through my proprietary 8 step method that will teach you exactly what needs to be in place in order to see the changes you want to see.

Register here to get the details for the latest masterclass!

https://responseableparenting.kit.com/stop

BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST!

If you would like to be a guest on the podcast and troubleshoot what's going on for you in real time, please fill out the podcast submission form. I look forward to connecting with you! Submit here: https://bit.ly/4c57Tx5

FREE RESOURCES!

Tired of repeating yourself over the same behaviors? Try this VALUES DECK OF CARDS! You can customize the cards to your family values and instead of dishing out yet another punishment, you can instill positive consequences through the actions on the back!

https://responseableparenting.kit.com/cards

Get the cheat codes to "stack" regulation practices throughout your day! No time to meditate? No problem. Grab this simple system and add ZERO time to your day!

https://responseableparenting.kit.com/zero

Book a call with me to connect on areas of your parenting that are causing pain, struggle, or frustration. https://calendly.com/responseableparenting/call

Catherine Hickem Podcast Episodes

Parenting IQ -  Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Interview with Catherine Hickem

Parenting IQ - Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Feb 2026

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Feb 2026

Coaching Your Family Relationships

Parenting Adult Children Today with Catherine Hickem

Coaching Your Family Relationships

Feb 2026

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Lost Contact? Why Some Parents Have to Push Away Their Kids

Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse

Jan 2026

The Families of Character Show

Ep. #175: Breaking the Cycle of Parent–Child Estrangement with Catherine Hickem, LCSW

The Families of Character Show

Nov 2025

The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

Interview with Catherine Hickem

The Nacho Kids Podcast: Blended Family Lifesaver

Oct 2025

The Show UP Dad

Building Strong Parent-Teen Relationships with Catherine Hickem

The Show UP Dad

Sep 2025

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

Lessons in parenting from adult kids who go no contact: 156

Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 The audio hug for parents of teens and tweens.

Aug 2025

Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today

Healing Estrangement: Reconnecting with Your Adult Child

Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids Today

Aug 2025

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Latest video

S1 Ep9 | Intentional Parenting and Understanding Your Child

S1 Ep9 | Intentional Parenting and Understanding Your Child

Latest episodes

Parenting IQ -  Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Interview with Catherine Hickem

Parenting IQ - Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Coaching Your Family Relationships

Parenting Adult Children Today with Catherine Hickem

Coaching Your Family Relationships

View all episodes →

Key topics

Why Parents Must Grieve the Child They Imagined to Truly Love the One They Have

Parents don’t just raise children—they raise dreams. When those dreams collide with reality, whether through career choices, identity shifts, or unexpected turns, unspoken grief often creeps in. Left unacknowledged, this grief can harden into distance, resentment, or even estrangement. Catherine explains why facing this loss is not only natural but essential: it clears the path for genuine acceptance, deeper love, and healthier adult relationships. Drawing from four decades as a psychotherapist and her own experience as a mother, she brings compassion and clarity to a family dynamic most people feel but rarely discuss—making her a rare and credible voice in helping parents move from disappointment to connection.

From Parent to Partner—The Shift Most Families Fail to Make

The hardest part of parenting isn’t the sleepless nights or teenage rebellion—it’s knowing when to step out of the authority role and step into partnership. Too many parents miss the moment when their child no longer needs direction, but respect. The result is tension, distance, or even estrangement. Catherine breaks down what this transition really requires: letting go of control, learning the art of listening, and showing up as a steady ally in adulthood. With four decades as a psychotherapist and her own lived experience as a mother, she offers a rare blend of candor and compassion that helps parents make the leap from managing their children’s lives to being invited into them.

Why Expectations Are the Silent Killers of Parent-Adult Child Connection

It’s rarely the big blowups that fracture families—it’s the quiet weight of unspoken expectations. Holiday gatherings, milestone decisions, and even casual conversations often mask assumptions that leave adult children feeling unseen or judged. Over time, those invisible pressures can be more damaging than outright conflict, eroding trust and driving distance. Catherine explains why expectations must be named and dismantled before real connection can thrive, and how parents can trade silent judgment for honest dialogue and healthy boundaries. With decades as a psychotherapist and a mother who has navigated these very dynamics, she offers a candid roadmap for parents ready to stop sabotaging the very relationships they long to protect.

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