Being the In-Between Generation with Sarah Ann Saeger

Brilliant, articulate fellow therapist Sarah Ann Saeger is here to help us learn to navigate what it means to be the first generation breaking free from the unhealthy and unhelpful ways we were parented, while also parenting and reparenting.

This rich episode touches on the impact of childhood trauma on our parenting, understanding the inner child, attachment styles and healing our own attachment to Self, how to practice inner attunement, how to navigate the moving target of holding boundaries with our parents and why she is no longer referring to families as dysfunctional.

Sarah's training is in Internal Family Systems, and we both share our wisdom earned and passion shared for supporting adults in reclaiming what was lost in childhood.

Sarah Ann Saeger is a trauma-informed licensed counselor, writer and somatic practitioner, and fellow traveler. She helps individuals become the healthy adult their inner child needs after attachment trauma and discover healing in relationship.

Takeaways

• Childhood trauma can impact our parenting by triggering unresolved issues and unmet needs from our own childhood.
• Understanding and healing our own attachment patterns is crucial for creating secure attachments with our children.
• Finding balance in boundaries allows us to be authentic and connected while also maintaining a sense of self.
• The truth teller in the family system plays a vital role in bringing attention to harmful dynamics and promoting healing.
• Emotional weather in the family can impact children's emotional well-being and behavior.
• Codependency can hinder our ability to meet our own needs and can be addressed through self-attunement and internalized safety. Inner attunement and external support are crucial for healing and personal growth.
• Navigating uncertainty and anxiety requires self-compassion and external resources.
• Understanding the impact of environment and experience is essential in reframing family dysfunction.
• Empathy and understanding are key in working with families and healing intergenerational trauma.
• Forgiveness is a complex process that requires self-validation and setting boundaries is important for self-protection.

Chapters

03:13The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Parenting

05:33 Understanding the Inner Child

08:07 Attachment Styles and Insecure Attachment

09:35 The Impact of Socially Sanctioned Parenting Methods

12:28 Finding Balance in Boundaries

13:59 The Importance of Secure Attachment

16:20 Healing Our Own Attachment Patterns

21:28 The Impact of Emotional Weather on Children

25:03 Codependency and Recovery

32:29 Choosing Self and Internalized Safety

34:21 The Emergence of Inner Attunement

35:17 The Importance of Community Support

36:13 Balancing Inner Validation and External Support

37:21 Navigating Uncertainty and Anxiety

38:06 The Need for Human Connection and Touch

38:33 Reframing Family Dysfunction

39:30 Understanding the Impact of Environment and Experience

40:27 Empathy and Understanding for Parents

41:22 Compassion for Our Family System

42:00 The Impact of Trauma on Development

42:30 Cynicism vs Understanding in Working with Families

43:23 Trusting Intuition and Making Connections

44:16 Exploring Connections and Creativity

44:28 The Power of Symbolic Imagery

45:17 The Complexity of Forgiveness

46:13 Working with Parts and Setting Boundaries

47:11 Being Present for Inner Child Healing

48:32 Navigating Relationships with Parents

50:12 Accessing Inner Strength and Protection

52:08 The Importance of Self-Compassion

53:38 Moving from the Brain to the Body

55:16 The Lifelong Process of Healing

56:00 Radical Acceptance and Setting Boundaries

57:36 Being Gentle with Ourselves

59:07 Learning from Life's Unfolding Experiences

01:00:37 Curiosity, Creativity, and Compassion

01:02:46 Releasing Energy and Moving Energetically

01:03:16 Gentleness and Understanding for Parents You can connect with her, her wisdom and offerings at her Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/sarahanntherapy/