The Families of Character Show

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

Catherine Hickem · November 4, 2025

Author · Executive Coach · Life Coach · Leadership · Relationshipsin

Interview with Catherine Hickem

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

Podcast: The Families of Character Show

November 4, 2025 · 45 min

Listen to Catherine Hickem on The Families of Character Show.

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

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Key topicsWhy Parents Must Grieve the Child They Imagined to Truly Love the One They HaveParents 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 MakeThe 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 ConnectionIt’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. View all topics →

About Catherine Hickem

Author, Psychotherapist & Founder of Parenting Adult Children Today

40+ years Licensed psychotherapy experienceThousands Parents guided2024 Founded Parenting Adult Children Today20 years Led The Dash Group

For over 40 years, Catherine Hickem has helped families and leaders 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. Her career has spanned both private practice and corporate leadership, including two decades at the helm of The Dash Group, a consultancy focused on developing impactful leaders, healthy cultures, profitable outcomes.

Today, Catherine is leading a national conversation around one of the most overlooked family dynamics: the relationship between parents and their adult children. Despite how common this phase of life is, few resources exist to help parents navigate the transition from authority figure to trusted ally. Meanwhile, 26% of adults aged 18–40 are estranged from at least one parent, a data point that underscores the urgency of Catherine’s work.

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.

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About this episode

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One in four adults are distant or estranged from a parent. We dig into why that happens and how to reverse the pattern by making home the safest place for truth. With licensed psychotherapist,Catherine Hickem, we unpack the habits that build lifelong closeness and the ones that quietly push kids away.

We discuss:

• the cost of fear driven parenting and hidden expectations

• modeling conflict resolution that heals, not harms

• treating adult kids with respect, curiosity and privacy

• owning mistakes and offering sincere apologies

• navigating holidays and time boundaries with clarity

• processing grief to show up present and kind

Be sure to check out Catherine's website where she offers free tools to strengthen your relationship with your adult children, and purchase her book, Heaven in Her Arms: Why God Chose Mary to Raise His Son and What It Means for You.

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Guest: Catherine Hickem