Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties Podcast By Dr. Sherrie Campbell cover art

Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties

Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties

By: Dr. Sherrie Campbell
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Toxic family is real. Toxic parents are real. Smear campaigns are real. Toxic in-laws are real. You are not alone. On this podcast, you have a voice. On this podcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell will help you learn more about your family dynamics, unconscious patterns that drive toxic human behavior, and ways to deal with your trauma. And most importantly, you will embark on a journey that will help you know yourself and love yourself more. Dr. Sherrie is a nationally recognized expert clinical psychologist with over 25 years of clinical training and experience. She was featured in major media networks such as CNN, Time, USA Today, and The Huffington Post. She is the best-selling author of But It’s Your Family…Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath and Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself. She is a mom who bravely shared her story to help more people break free of toxic family relationships and thrive in the aftermath. Subscribe now to get your monthly "Sherapy Sessions" (Sherrie Therapy Sessions) straight from your phone.Copyright 2021 Dr. Sherrie Campbell Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Randi Crawford: Letting Go Without Losing the Relationship (Bonus Episode 46)

    Randi Crawford: Letting Go Without Losing the Relationship (Bonus Episode 46)
    Apr 22 2026
    🌱 Episode OverviewMany parents were taught that love means constant involvement, fixing, and sacrifice. But what happens when care turns into control and closeness becomes pressure?In this episode, Dr. Sherrie sits down with Randi Crawford, a certified life coach who helps parents, teens, and young adults build healthier relationships rooted in autonomy, trust, and real connection. Together, they explore how stepping back doesn’t mean abandoning your child, it means allowing them to grow.This conversation is especially supportive for parents who grew up in toxic or emotionally enmeshed families and are determined not to repeat those patterns with their own children.🧠 What We Cover✨ Why over-functioning often comes from fear, not love✨ How anxiety disguises itself as “good parenting”✨ What healthy autonomy looks like in real families✨ Letting teens stumble safely without pulling away✨ Differentiation without emotional disconnection✨ Breaking generational cycles of guilt and control✨ The difference between influence and emotional pressure✨ How boundaries create closeness instead of distance✨ What happens when parents stop chasing, fixing, and rescuing✨ Rebuilding trust when a child starts pulling away⸻💬 Key Takeaways💡 You can be deeply connected without being emotionally entangled💡 Stepping back is not abandonment, it’s respect💡 Boundaries calm relationships, they don’t threaten them💡 Letting go of control often creates more closeness, not less💡 Your child’s discomfort is not a parenting failure⸻🤍 This Episode Is For You If…🌿 You’re a parent who worries you’re doing too much or not enough🌿 You grew up in a toxic family system and want to parent differently🌿 You fear that letting go means losing the relationship🌿 You want closeness without control or guilt🌿 You’re learning how to trust both yourself and your childRandi Crawford is a certified life coach who has worked with hundreds of parents, teenagers, and young adults to help them navigate the emotional and often stressful realities of life in the 21st century. Known for her straight-shooting and unapologetic parenting videos on social media, Randi resonates deeply with moms who feel unseen or stuck in their transition from full-time parenting to part-time guiding.Prior to her coaching career, Randi co-founded Women First HealthCare, a pioneering company that reached over 10 million women with health solutions. She is now developing a unique parenting playbook, focusing on raising teens with confidence while minimizing over-parenting.Randi's approach bridges the gap between generations, helping parents loosen control without losing connection, while empowering young adults to build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. She addresses issues like communication breakdowns, boundary-setting, anxiety, and academic stress, guiding families through tough transitions with clarity and calm.Regularly quoted in the media, including Parents.com, Newsweek, NY Post, and FOX News Digital, Randi shares her relatable and straight-talking advice as a guest on numerous podcasts. Her honest perspective creates a safe space for real conversations that foster growth for everyone involved, making her a vital presence in the modern parenting journey.*****Episode Sponsor:BetterhelpGoing to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care.***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:📌 [Podcast] The Difference Between the Silent Treatment and No Contact (Bonus Episode 6) - https://apple.co/4mfFrOS 📌 [Podcast] What is the difference between abandonment and no contact? - https://apple.co/3NMRhmZ *****NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX *****MY TEDx TALK:📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE:⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • A Survivor’s Voice — Healing, Humanity, and Breaking the Silence with David Weeks (Bonus Episode 45)

    A Survivor’s Voice — Healing, Humanity, and Breaking the Silence with David Weeks (Bonus Episode 45)
    Apr 8 2026
    Today’s episode brings you a powerful and deeply needed conversation with David Weeks — a survivor of complex trauma and sex trafficking who has turned his lived experience into advocacy, education, and hope for others walking their healing path. 💛 David survived all ten Adverse Childhood Experiences before the age of fourteen. His early life was shaped by profound family dysfunction, chronic trauma, and emotional abandonment — the kind that leaves a child questioning their worth and humanity. Yet David’s story isn’t defined by what happened to him. It’s defined by the strength he’s built and the voice he’s reclaimed. 🔥 In this conversation, David opens up about:🔸 Growing up in a family environment where safety and care weren’t available 🏚️ 🔸 How trauma shapes a child’s identity long before they have words for it 🧠 🔸 Navigating family silence, denial, and the grief of the family you needed but didn’t have 💔 🔸 The stigma male survivors face — and why breaking that silence matters 🧡 🔸 The early signs that healing was possible and the steps he took toward reclaiming himself 🌱 🔸 How he’s redefined family, boundaries, and belonging as an adult 🌿 🔸 Why advocacy became part of his purpose and how he protects his well-being while doing this work ⚖️David’s voice brings visibility to male survivors who are often overlooked or dismissed. His presence in this space is vital, and his insight is a reminder that trauma doesn’t get the final word — the survivor does. 🙏 If you’ve ever faced childhood trauma, complicated family dynamics, or the loneliness that comes with being chronically unseen, this episode will speak to your core. 💫 David Weeks is a complex trauma survivor who’s story speaks to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. David was raised by a narcissistic mother and anti-social step father and describes his family to that of a cult. They would inflict torment and abuse for over two decades and by the time David was just 14 years old, he would have experienced all 10 Adverse child experiences. At age 13 he started looking for love, something that he never experienced, and the 39 year old who lived just down the street would exploit and sexually assault him. That first rape would turn into many many more as he was trafficked. David is now a coach helping other survivors heal and shares his story to break the silence and stigma that so many face. Currently he is writing his memoir “surviving childhood” which he plans to share soon. *****Episode Sponsor:BetterhelpGoing to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care.***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:📌 [Book] The Sears Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two - https://www.amazon.com/Sears-Baby-Book-Everything-About/dp/0316387967 📌 [Video] Breaking the Silence of Male Trauma Survivors - https://www.ted.com/talks/debra_warner_breaking_the_silence_of_male_trauma_survivors *****NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX *****MY TEDx TALK:📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE:⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH DAVID: 📌 Website: https://www.weekstraumarecovery.com/ 📌 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healing.with.david 📌 Email: david.trauma.recovery@gmail.com 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djweeks_ CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE:⚉ Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ ⚉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD Check out the Sherapy Master Class: The Toxic Family Sherapy Course designed to help people master toxic family members and turn their life around to one of freedom, peace, and empowerment. Click here https://bit.ly/SherapyMasterclass Get early access to news, insights, and tips straight from ...
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    43 mins
  • Parallel Parenting, Generational Trauma, and Raising Kids Who Don’t Carry the Weight with Jennie Guay (Bonus Episode 44)

    Parallel Parenting, Generational Trauma, and Raising Kids Who Don’t Carry the Weight with Jennie Guay (Bonus Episode 44)
    Mar 25 2026
    Parallel parenting isn’t about being distant or disengaged, it’s about protecting emotional safety when co-parenting isn’t possible. In this episode, we explore how high-conflict dynamics, unresolved trauma, and control patterns can spill into parenting after separation, and how parallel parenting can interrupt generational cycles instead of passing them down. This conversation focuses on coping through the process, staying regulated under pressure, and intentionally raising children who don’t inherit the chaos you worked so hard to escape.🔍 What We Cover 🧩 What parallel parenting really is — and why it’s often misunderstood 🔥 How generational trauma shows up in post-separation parenting 🛑 Why “trying harder” with a toxic co-parent often backfires 🧠 Protecting your nervous system so your child’s can heal 🧱 Boundaries that create safety without escalating conflict 📱 Tools that reduce emotional exposure and power struggles 🧒 Talking to kids without oversharing, blaming, or minimizing 🌱 How healing quietly teaches your child a different way💬 For Parents Who Are 💗 Feeling drained by high-conflict co-parenting 💗 Trying to stay calm while being provoked or undermined 💗 Afraid their children will internalize dysfunction 💗 Committed to ending cycles, even when it’s lonelyThis episode is for you.✨ Final Thought ✨You don’t break generational trauma by winning arguments. You break it by becoming the safe place your child can return to — again and again.Jennie Guay is the Founder of JG Divorce & Break Up Coaching and Advisory and a certified and accredited divorce coach who supports individuals and families through some of life’s most emotionally complex transitions. Grounded in both professional training and lived experience, Jennie brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to divorce, breakups, and blended family dynamics.She is the creator and host of the Why Are We Whispering? Podcast, a bold platform dedicated to addressing the traumas, trials, and deeply uncomfortable experiences most people endure but feel too embarrassed or shamed to speak about. The podcast was created to give a voice to those who feel silenced and to bring awareness to the darker side of the human experience through honest, unfiltered conversations. As a stepmother, Jennie has firsthand experience navigating blended families, the dysfunction of the family court system, and the impact of high-conflict personalities and personality disorders; experiences that became the driving force behind her advocacy work and coaching practice. She is also the author of the children’s book Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends, created to provide representation, inclusion, and normalization for blended and diverse families. At the core of her work is a deep commitment to advocacy, awareness, and empowering those who feel unseen or unheard. *****Episode Sponsor:BetterhelpGoing to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. My sponsor BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/drsherrie BetterHelp, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest online therapy platform, offering accessible, affordable, and personalized mental health care.***** MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:📌 [Book] Howie Blend: Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends by Jennie Guay - https://www.amazon.com/Howie-Blend-Playdate-Adventures-Friends/dp/1919623108 📌 [Podcast] Why Are We Whispering? With Jennie Guay - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-are-we-whispering-with-jennie-guay/id1709659183 *****NEW BOOK! You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety Available For Pre-Order: https://amzn.to/4npkCPX *****MY TEDx TALK:📌 TEDx Talk Not All Parents Are Good by Dr. Sherrie Campbell - https://youtu.be/deyHwDkG7oc BOOKS BY DR. SHERRIE:⚉ Adult Survivors of Emotionally Abusive Parents: How to Heal, Cultivate Emotional Resilience, and Build the Life and Love You Deserve - https://amzn.to/3UhURWI ⚉ Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members: Tools to Maintain Boundaries, Deal with Criticism, and Heal from Shame After Ties Have Been Cut. - https://amzn.to/3L3sMuA ⚉ But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath - https://amzn.to/3tuNQEn ⚉ Your Pocket Therapist: Quick Hacks for Dealing with Toxic People While Empowering Yourself - https://amzn.to/3JBql1R ⚉ Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life - https://amzn.to/3uobd1u ⚉ Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person - https://amzn.to/36mlXp5 CONNECT WITH JENNIE: 📌 Website: https://www.jgdivorcecoaching.com/ 📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-guay-77720219/ 📌 Email: jennieguay@jgdivorcecoaching.com 📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whywhisperpodcast CONNECT WITH DR. SHERRIE:⚉ Website: https://...
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    53 mins
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I’m so grateful for your openness and speaking the truth to help others bring to light such painful family dysfunction and break the cycle of generational trauma.

Thank you for being so brave to bring family issues into the light.

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I felt myself nodding my head or just laughing at some things thinking I’ve heard that or I know that “saying”.

Tara

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I wanted more. I wished there was more. I finished it in one day cleaning house. It was exactly what I needed. I wish there was a lot more like it. Just makes me feel not so alone in my experience AND reminds me I am not crazy or wrong.

I wanted more

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