Finding Family

Identity

Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on January 7, 2024

We don’t feel like ourselves when belonging to a group changes abruptly, thereby disrupting our identity and making us feel we don’t know ourselves or where we belong.

We don’t feel like ourselves when belonging to a group changes abruptly, thereby disrupting our identity and making us feel we don’t know ourselves or where we belong.

Relationships

Misattributed Parentage: Making Room for the 'Other'

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on March 5, 2021

Feeling like the outsider in your family? There can be room for everyone.

Feeling like the outsider in your family? There can be room for everyone.

Relationships

Don't Think You Can Manage Problematic Family Relationships?

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on November 8, 2020

Do you feel misunderstood or different from family? These two adjustments can help change those feelings.

Do you feel misunderstood or different from family? These two adjustments can help change those feelings.

Genetics

The History of Misattributed Parentage

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on October 3, 2020

Well before science revealed secret affairs, sexual assault, or the opportunity for donor conceptions, humanity was engaged in a struggle between the biological and cultural drives.

Well before science revealed secret affairs, sexual assault, or the opportunity for donor conceptions, humanity was engaged in a struggle between the biological and cultural drives.

Genetics

Family Ties, and Secrets

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on August 29, 2020

Thanks to the science behind DNA tests, secrets are tumbling out with a never-before seen ferocity for those who discovered misattributed parentage, and the fallout affects family.

Thanks to the science behind DNA tests, secrets are tumbling out with a never-before seen ferocity for those who discovered misattributed parentage, and the fallout affects family.

Embarrassment

"You Should Be Ashamed!"

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on July 26, 2020

The reason families use shame when a DNA discoverer reveals long held secrets is as deep as the shame they create.

The reason families use shame when a DNA discoverer reveals long held secrets is as deep as the shame they create.

Genetics

The Gift of Time

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on March 17, 2020

Lessons I'm learning about the chaos of coronavirus from my DNA discovery.

Lessons I'm learning about the chaos of coronavirus from my DNA discovery.

Genetics

How to Respond When DNA Tests Reveal Unexpected Results

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on February 16, 2020

Have you been told nothing has changed when it feels everything has changed? There's a reason people dismiss uncomfortable feelings.

Have you been told nothing has changed when it feels everything has changed? There's a reason people dismiss uncomfortable feelings.

Genetics

How to Tell Your Kids about DNA Discoveries

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on November 26, 2019

It's hard enough to deal with discovering shocking DNA results. But telling kids about yours isn't as hard as you think.

It's hard enough to deal with discovering shocking DNA results. But telling kids about yours isn't as hard as you think.

Genetics

Bringing Your DNA Discovery to Therapy

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on October 11, 2019

Frustrated with therapists not understanding how to help you with a DNA discovery? A few helpful hints to get the most out of therapy for Non-Paternal Events.

Frustrated with therapists not understanding how to help you with a DNA discovery? A few helpful hints to get the most out of therapy for Non-Paternal Events.

Trauma

Family Secrets and Trauma

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on September 20, 2019

Discovering you have a different parent than you were raised to believe is traumatizing—to you and to your family at large. There is help out there.

Discovering you have a different parent than you were raised to believe is traumatizing—to you and to your family at large. There is help out there.

Narcissism

Motherly Narcissism

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on July 17, 2019

Has mom manipulated you to keep the family secret? A few tips to handle a narcissist will go a long way.

Has mom manipulated you to keep the family secret? A few tips to handle a narcissist will go a long way.

Identity

Who Am I Now?

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on June 10, 2019

Identity is an ambiguous and very essential part of our well-being. Your family has a lot to do with it.

Identity is an ambiguous and very essential part of our well-being. Your family has a lot to do with it.

Genetics

Finding Meaning and Acceptance in Crisis

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on April 3, 2019

Thoughts on managing family reactions to surprise DNA revelations.

Thoughts on managing family reactions to surprise DNA revelations.

Identity

Finding Identity

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on February 12, 2019

Identity is a construct that takes years to define. Shocking DNA results took the identity I thought I had and threw it out the window, leaving a void to be filled.

Identity is a construct that takes years to define. Shocking DNA results took the identity I thought I had and threw it out the window, leaving a void to be filled.

Genetics

What Do You Do When You Learn You're Not Who You Thought?

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on January 27, 2019

A fictional story of a very real phenomenon. Finding out you're not the child of the parent you thought and searching for the biological family.

A fictional story of a very real phenomenon. Finding out you're not the child of the parent you thought and searching for the biological family.

Attachment

In Reunion: Navigating New Family Connections

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on December 14, 2018

Upset and confused about making connections with biological family? A few practical tips can help you handle the acceptance or rejection.

Upset and confused about making connections with biological family? A few practical tips can help you handle the acceptance or rejection.

Relationships

When Family Doesn't Act As Such

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on December 2, 2018

Have you been shunned by family after shocking DNA results? A few tips about managing family relationships when the lie has been revealed

Have you been shunned by family after shocking DNA results? A few tips about managing family relationships when the lie has been revealed

Intuition

Intuition Isn't Crazy

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on November 24, 2018

An unusual feeling of not fitting into the family? It may be the universe and your biology trying to tell you something.

An unusual feeling of not fitting into the family? It may be the universe and your biology trying to tell you something.

Identity

The New Identity Crisis

Jodi Klugman-Rabb PsyD, LMFT on November 23, 2018

Confused about who you are after shocking DNA revelations? Your identity is one of the big changes that come with a change in biological family.

Confused about who you are after shocking DNA revelations? Your identity is one of the big changes that come with a change in biological family.