Family of Origin Therapy

Your past shaped you—but it doesn’t have to define you.

The patterns you learned growing up didn’t disappear when you became an adult. They just became more subtle—and more exhausting. At Sunburst Psychology, we offer family of origin therapy for adults who are ready to explore how early relational dynamics still shape their current emotions, relationships, and sense of self. Whether you're navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship stress, or chronic guilt, your past may be more involved than you think.

This isn’t about blaming your parents. It’s about making space for the child you once were—and helping the adult you are now move forward with clarity, self-trust, and real freedom.

“Family of origin” refers to the family you grew up in—biological or not. It’s where you learned what love looked like, how conflict was handled (or avoided), and what it meant to be “good,” “strong,” or “worthy.”

Unresolved issues from this early environment can affect:

• Your attachment style

• Your emotional regulation

• Your ability to set boundaries

• How you relate to partners, children, or authority figures

• The way you talk to yourself when no one’s listening

Healing Childhood Wounds in Adulthood

If you’re noticing the same painful patterns show up again and again—emotionally unavailable relationships, people-pleasing, self-criticism, emotional shutdown—family of origin therapy can help you understand where those patterns came from and how to shift them.

We integrate approaches such as:

• Inner child therapy to reconnect with forgotten needs and feelings

• Attachment-focused work to build self-trust and emotional resilience

• Trauma-informed care to process pain without retraumatization

You don’t need to “go back and relive everything.” But you may need to revisit the emotional blueprint that’s been quietly driving your choices.

You might benefit from family of origin work if:

• You feel like you’re parenting yourself on a daily basis

• You grew up in a home that looked fine from the outside, but felt unstable inside

• You feel guilt, fear, or obligation when setting boundaries

• You experience emotional flashbacks during adult relationships

• You’ve tried traditional talk therapy, but want to go deeper

Our therapists create a compassionate, grounded space for this work—whether you're just starting to explore, or you’ve been unpacking this for years.

Work with a Childhood Trauma Therapist in Seattle

At Sunburst Psychology, our therapists are trained in trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and attachment-based care. If you're seeking support for childhood trauma, emotional neglect, or confusing family dynamics, we're here to help you do the brave work of breaking the cycle.

📍 Serving Seattle neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, and beyond—plus virtual therapy across Washington State.