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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

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Hearts Entwined Podcast

Parent & Adult Child Relationships - Lyn Smith & Catherine Hickem

February 5, 2026

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About this episode

Lyn welcomes Catherine Hickem, an author and psychotherapist, to explore the complex dynamics of the parent and adult child relationship.

Drawing from her extensive experience in psychotherapy and coaching, Catherine shares insights into the challenges faced by parents of adult children, particularly in the context of estrangement and communication breakdowns.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The relationship between parents and adult children can be complex, often influenced by past experiences and communication styles

Open and honest communication is crucial in maintaining healthy relationships. When disagreements arise, it's vital to address them rather than allowing them to fester

Mistakes and failures are valuable learning opportunities. Encouraging children to embrace their mistakes promotes resilience and independence, allowing them to grow without fear of failure.

Parents should focus on their own well-being and personal growth, recognising that their value is not solely dependent on their children's actions or opinions

BEST MOMENTS

"Over 50% of adult children do not share their lives with their parents... We now have a 27% estrangement rate in the United States."

"When we don't forgive, we're actually hostage to the very people we're not forgiving."

"It's important that we realise our value isn't dependent upon whether our children agree or disagree with us."

"Your success as a parent isn't based upon how your children turn out."

ABOUT THE GUEST - Catherine Hickem – Author & PsychotherapistCatherine speaks to unspoken expectations and boundary setting in family life, translating that into practical guidance for parents navigating the transition with adult children.

She’s an Author, Psychotherapist & Founder of Parenting Adult Children Today, and brings decades of clinical practice plus lived experience as a parent navigating the same terrain. Her work focuses on helping families move from control to curiosity, and to become a steady presence in their adult children’s lives.TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@parentingadultchildren2d

ABOUT THE HOST

Lyn Smith – (The Queen of HEARTS) – Love, Dating & Relationship Expert

Lyn’s personal story is a very inspirational and harrowing one of how she went from having unhealthy and unfulfilling relationships with men (on the back of several serious traumatic sexual assaults in her teens) to now feeling safe, fulfilled, alive, full of passion and having inner peace.

She has a proven track record as a Love Solutions - Relationship Expert/ Trainer/ Inspirational Speaker and Best-Selling Author based upon her own vast personal research, experiential learning and training with the world’s leading industry experts. Lyn makes a difference by helping you make a difference; she has a vision of contributing back on a global scale.

Contact Method lyn@hearts-entwined.com

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Catherine Hickem Podcast Episodes

ResponseABLE Parenting

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

ResponseABLE Parenting

Apr 2026

Parenting IQ -  Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Interview with Catherine Hickem

Parenting IQ - Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

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

ResponseABLE Parenting

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

ResponseABLE Parenting

Parenting IQ -  Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

Interview with Catherine Hickem

Parenting IQ - Healthy Family Habits, Parenting Challenges and Solutions

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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