When healing a sibling divide, emotional safety and connection are more important than winning an argument. Instead of proving who is right, siblings need to listen face to face, ask open-ended questions, and acknowledge each other’s hurt without interrupting or defending. This episode explores the Emotion-Focused Bridge Model, which emphasizes empathy, curiosity, accountability, amends, acceptance, and acquired understanding to repair a relationship. Reconciliation begins by recognizing the vulnerable feelings beneath anger, withdrawal, blame, or silence. After a cutoff, a bridge is built through listening. Rebuilding trust requires repeated moments of presence, validation, and restraint. Both parties must have some humility, and make an emotional investment.

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You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

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