therapy for adult children of emotionally immature parents in NY & NJ
Did You Grow Up Feeling Unseen by Your Parents?
There’s a world within you waiting to be heard.
Growing up with emotionally immature parents often means you had to shrink yourself to survive. You became the easy kid—the one who didn’t cause trouble, who worked hard to be perfect, who avoided conflict so you wouldn’t rock the boat.
Now, as an adult, you might:
Feel self-doubt even when you’ve done nothing wrong
Struggle with people-pleasing and saying “no”
Push yourself toward perfectionism or exhaustion
Choose emotionally unavailable partners over and over
Feel guilt any time you try to set boundaries
Avoid conflict, even when it costs you your own peace
Become hyper-independent, never letting yourself lean on others
These aren’t random quirks. They’re survival patterns you learned in childhood.
Why This Matters
When you were never truly seen or nurtured, you learned to believe love had to be earned—through achievement, compliance, or invisibility.
But those old patterns are still running your life. They keep you small, disconnected, and exhausted. And none of it is your fault.
Therapy for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
In our work together, you’ll learn how to:
Name and release old survival patterns that no longer serve you
Build confidence in your needs and your voice
Create relationships where you feel safe and cherished
Loosen the grip of anxious attachment and constant guilt
Reconnect with your inner child who deserved love all along
My Approach
I’m Citlali (“Lali”) Herrera, LCSW—a therapist in Westchester, licensed in NY & NJ. My style is warm and direct: I name what’s unspoken so you can finally face it, and I hold space for you to step into freedom without judgment.
I blend:
Psychodynamic and mindfulness-based therapy
Hypnotherapy for deep subconscious healing
Nature-based “walk & talk” therapy
Ketamine-assisted therapy for when traditional therapy isn’t enough
I’m not here to fix you. I’m here to walk alongside you while you learn to exist freely—without the burden of always having to be “the good one.”
How It Works
Step 1: Schedule a free 15-minute intro call to see if we’re a good fit.
Step 2: Meet with me virtually (or in nature, if you’re in Westchester) through a secure, private platform.
Step 3: Begin the work of reclaiming your inner world. I’ll guide you, and you’ll bring your whole self—no masks required.
Ready to Stop Shrinking Yourself?
You don’t have to keep living in patterns of guilt, anxiety, and “never enough.” Healing is possible, and it starts with one step: reaching out.
Book Your Free 15 Minute Intro Call Today and begin rewriting the story of what love and freedom mean for you.
