Trending...
- Attorney Joseph C. Kreps Files Lawsuit to Stop Alabama State Board of Pharmacy's Unlawful "Revenue-First" Rulemaking
- PlanetAI Nature Space (PNS), certificadora Europea, lanza su plataforma EUDR-PNS Ready basada en IA, satélites y trazabilidad blockchain
- NAIDOC Week Australia 2026 | 50 Years Deadly - Celebrates Culture, Resilience, and Global Connection
A Growing Number of Americans Are Cutting Ties with Family — San Francisco Therapist Michael Travis Halyard Offers a Lifeline to Those Seeking Clarity, Healing, and Connection
SAN FRANCISCO - Washingtoner -- Family estrangement, once considered rare or taboo, is now a growing reality for millions of Americans. Recent studies show that 27% of U.S. adults are estranged from at least one family member, and a 2024 Harris Poll reveals that 35% have no contact with someone in their immediate family — such as a parent, sibling, or adult child.
"Estrangement refers to the emotional or physical distancing between individuals who were once close, most commonly within families. It results from a breakdown in communication, trust, or connection, often due to unresolved conflict, betrayal, abuse, or mismatched values and boundaries. It may be temporary or permanent and can be initiated by either party," says San Francisco psychotherapist Michael Travis Halyard, LPCC, LMFT.
Halyard notes a growing correlation between the rise in estrangement and the increasing prevalence of narcissistic traits in the general population. "Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder are statistically more likely to initiate estrangements," he explains. "They often devalue loved ones to the point where they see no inherent worth in the relationship. Viewing themselves as superior to others, they can be strikingly cruel and callous. Their lack of empathy plays a central role in their capacity to cut people off without remorse."
More on Washingtoner
Halyard specializes in working with individuals navigating the emotional fallout of estrangement, especially in the context of narcissism and emotional abuse. "In nearly all the estrangement cases I see, narcissism plays a central role," he says. "Sometimes it's the narcissist who discards others. Other times, it's the survivor choosing to distance themselves from the narcissist to preserve their mental and emotional health."
"Narcissists also frequently scapegoat family members, blaming them for relationship problems while avoiding accountability." Halyard adds that not all estrangements are narcissistically driven. "Some families split over political, religious, or value-based differences," Halyard notes.
To support people coping with estrangement, Halyard offers psychotherapy for clients in California and facilitates The Estrangement Project USA, a private Facebook support group where people can safely share experiences, ask questions, and find solidarity. "Community is critical," he emphasizes. "You are not alone. There are others walking the same path — together, healing becomes more possible."
More on Washingtoner
Join the community: facebook.com/groups/estrangementproject
Halyard's website — www.sanfrancisco-psychotherapy.com — also features a comprehensive Estrangement Resource Section — sanfrancisco-psychotherapy.com/estrangement — covering topics such as parental alienation, ghosting, boundary-setting, and navigating the grief of disconnection.
"I want people to understand that healing doesn't require the other person's participation," Halyard says. "It requires truth, clarity, and compassionate support. You can grieve and grow at the same time."
"Estrangement refers to the emotional or physical distancing between individuals who were once close, most commonly within families. It results from a breakdown in communication, trust, or connection, often due to unresolved conflict, betrayal, abuse, or mismatched values and boundaries. It may be temporary or permanent and can be initiated by either party," says San Francisco psychotherapist Michael Travis Halyard, LPCC, LMFT.
Halyard notes a growing correlation between the rise in estrangement and the increasing prevalence of narcissistic traits in the general population. "Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder are statistically more likely to initiate estrangements," he explains. "They often devalue loved ones to the point where they see no inherent worth in the relationship. Viewing themselves as superior to others, they can be strikingly cruel and callous. Their lack of empathy plays a central role in their capacity to cut people off without remorse."
More on Washingtoner
- Instant IP Launches Rapid Takedown Service to Combat IP Theft, Deepfakes, and Copycat Websites
- Tacoma: Lincoln Avenue Bridge to Close Saturday, April 18 for Asphalt Repairs
- City of Tacoma Invites Community to Shape the Future of Their Neighborhoods at Upcoming Code Update Event
- Su Che Publishing Announces New Children's Book Celebrating Vaisakhi Festival
- Permian Museum Adds Photos of Fossils Discovered on a Meteorite
Halyard specializes in working with individuals navigating the emotional fallout of estrangement, especially in the context of narcissism and emotional abuse. "In nearly all the estrangement cases I see, narcissism plays a central role," he says. "Sometimes it's the narcissist who discards others. Other times, it's the survivor choosing to distance themselves from the narcissist to preserve their mental and emotional health."
"Narcissists also frequently scapegoat family members, blaming them for relationship problems while avoiding accountability." Halyard adds that not all estrangements are narcissistically driven. "Some families split over political, religious, or value-based differences," Halyard notes.
To support people coping with estrangement, Halyard offers psychotherapy for clients in California and facilitates The Estrangement Project USA, a private Facebook support group where people can safely share experiences, ask questions, and find solidarity. "Community is critical," he emphasizes. "You are not alone. There are others walking the same path — together, healing becomes more possible."
More on Washingtoner
- This Saturday: Open House for Manalapan's Newest Single Family Home Community
- Radarsign™ Awarded Sourcewell Contract Expanding Access to Traffic Safety Solutions
- MainConcept and NETINT Bring VPU Acceleration to Easy Video API
- City Of Spokane Partners With Meals On Wheels To Purchase Cooling Fans For Local Seniors, Residents With Disabilities
- Larry R. Wasion's Jump Gate 2: Teleporter Expands the Time Travel Universe with High-Stakes Action and Ethical Dilemmas
Join the community: facebook.com/groups/estrangementproject
Halyard's website — www.sanfrancisco-psychotherapy.com — also features a comprehensive Estrangement Resource Section — sanfrancisco-psychotherapy.com/estrangement — covering topics such as parental alienation, ghosting, boundary-setting, and navigating the grief of disconnection.
"I want people to understand that healing doesn't require the other person's participation," Halyard says. "It requires truth, clarity, and compassionate support. You can grieve and grow at the same time."
Source: Michael Halyard
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Cryptsoft demonstrates Hybrid-PQC Authentication Token use for quantum-safe systems and infrastructure
- Expert Law Attorneys' Top Law Firms to Know: March 2026
- Cinder Labs Launches AIRA Shield: Purpose-Built AI Security Platform to Combat Shadow AI
- City of Tacoma to Host In-Person 'P&L Show & Tell' Financial Workshop for Small Businesses on April 21
- City of Tacoma Implements Strategic Freeze on Hiring and Promotions
- Spokane Police Officers Rescue Puppy After Thief Abandoned It
- Green Office Partner Strengthens Global Operations with Mexico-Based DigitalVAAR Partnership
- P-Wave Classics Announces the Publication of The Female Quixote, Volume I, by Charlotte Lennox
- Everwild Music Festival Unveils 2026 Schedule: No Overlapping Sets, Longer Performances, and Epic Late-Night Sets!
- Riggo Production Studio Launches Monthly Content Package for Growing Brands
- Accelerating into Active Oil Production with over 100 Barrels per day now being produced as Dual-revenue engine begins Generating Cash Flow: $IBG
- Finland emerges as clear Eurovision 2026 favourite – analysis of 12 bookmakers by Vedonlyöntisivut
- Mac Mountain Selects netElastic vRouter for LightCraft Broadband-as-a-Service Platform
- 88% Revenue Growth; Charging Into the Future with Explosive Growth, Strategic EV Expansion and Infrastructure Dominance Signal a Breakout Opportunity
- Forge Resources Unlocks Major Gold-Copper System in Yukon as Drilling Success and Strategic Assets Fuel High-Impact Growth Story for: $FRGGF
- Game Day Private Jets Launches REVUP Platform to Transform Fan & Donor Travel Into a Revenue Engine for College Athletics
- Heritage at South Brunswick Team Celebrates Major Wins at NJBA Sales and Marketing Awards
- InterMountain Announces the Opening of TownePlace Suites Reno
- MAG Magna Corp Targets Trillion-Dollar Opportunity by Tokenizing Rare Earth Assets Critical to AI, EVs, & Defense: MAG Magna Corp.: Stock Symbol: MGNC
- SnapTax Launches AI-Powered Tax Planning Platform for Freelancers and 1099 Workers — Now Free for 90 Days

