What is Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)?

CEN is different from physical neglect or abuse — it’s the absence of emotional attunement in childhood. Signs you may have experienced CEN include:

• Difficulty identifying or expressing emotions

• Chronic self-criticism or low self-worth

• Trouble setting boundaries or saying no

• Feeling disconnected from yourself or others

• People-pleasing or fear of rejection

Many adults only recognize CEN after struggling with anxiety, depression, or relational challenges, realizing that these patterns stem from unmet childhood emotional needs.

How Therapy Helps

Therapy for CEN is about healing the emotional gaps from your past. In a supportive, attuned environment, you can:

• Learn to identify and validate your emotions

• Develop self-compassion and self-acceptance

• Build healthier, more authentic relationships

• Process childhood wounds in a safe, guided way

I integrate evidence-based methods, including EMDR, alongside relational, client-centered approaches to support deep and lasting change.

Who Can Benefit

This therapy is designed for adults who:

• Struggle with low self-esteem, perfectionism, or chronic self-doubt

• Feel emotionally disconnected from themselves or others

• Experience anxiety, depression, or relational difficulties linked to childhood experiences

• Want to break generational patterns and reclaim their emotional life

Your Path to Healing

Healing from CEN doesn’t mean changing who you are — it means returning to yourself. Through therapy, you can start to:

• Recognize and meet your own emotional needs

• Develop inner confidence and resilience

• Create authentic connections with others

• Move forward with greater clarity, peace, and self-love