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Therapy Linked to Parent-Child Estrangements, Study Finds

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 4:54 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. psychologists say therapy may be fueling a surge in parent-child estrangements.
A 2025 YouGov poll found 40% of Americans are estranged, 24% from siblings, 16% from parents, 10% from children.
1,014 parents reported their adult child started therapy within a year before cutting off contact.
Richard Blake, Ph.D., warns only a small subset of therapists may advise cutting off, causing long-term harm.

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Story summary

U.S. psychologists say therapy may be fueling a surge in parent-child estrangements.
A 2025 YouGov poll found 40% of Americans are estranged, 24% from siblings, 16% from parents, 10% from children.
1,014 parents reported their adult child started therapy within a year before cutting off contact.
Richard Blake, Ph.D., warns only a small subset of therapists may advise cutting off, causing long-term harm.