by Debra | Jan 26, 2026
Strong mother daughter relationships do not happen by accident.
They are built through awareness, communication, and emotional safety—especially during the teen years.
Right now, mother–daughter estrangement is becoming more common than ever.
Many adult daughters are choosing distance instead of working through pain.
This does not begin in adulthood.
It begins much earlier.
Mother–daughter estrangement has quietly become an epidemic.
Instead of repair, many relationships end in silence.
Instead of conversation, there is distance.
Instead of healing, there is cutoff.
In many cases, the relationship was never taught how to handle conflict safely.
When emotions feel overwhelming and conversations feel unsafe, disconnection can seem easier than repair.
Strong Mother–Daughter Relationships Are Built During the Teen Years
The teen years are a critical window.
This is when daughters are learning:
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How to express emotions
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Whether they are safe being honest
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If conflict leads to repair or punishment
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If love is conditional or secure
Strong mother daughter relationships develop when teens feel heard, not managed.
Early awareness prevents later rupture.
Estrangement often grows from repeated small moments, not one event.
Common patterns include:
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Talking instead of listening
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Dismissing feelings
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Unspoken expectations
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Avoiding hard conversations
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Power struggles replacing connection
When these patterns go unaddressed, resentment quietly builds.
Strong mother daughter relationships include emotional repair.
This means:
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Apologizing when necessary
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Acknowledging impact, not just intention
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Allowing different perspectives
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Making space for autonomy
Repair teaches daughters that relationships can bend without breaking.
This skill stays with them for life.
Why Starting Early Matters
Waiting until adulthood makes healing harder.
By then, patterns are deeply ingrained.
Distance may already feel safer than connection.
Starting early allows:
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Trust to be rebuilt in real time
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Communication skills to grow naturally
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Conflict to become less threatening
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Emotional safety to remain intact
Strong mother daughter relationships protect against future estrangement.
A Different Path Forward
Estrangement does not have to be the ending.
When mothers and daughters learn how to communicate with awareness and compassion, relationships evolve instead of fracture.
The goal is not perfection.
The goal is connection that can survive discomfort.
That work begins now.
Even if your daughter isn’t ready to join, a solo retreat or mentoring focused on your side of the relationship can begin this healing ripple. When one person does the work, the energy of the relationship begins to transform.
Schedule a Free Consult Here to talk about your options and begin to heal this important relationship.
Warmly, Debra
by Debra | Dec 29, 2025
New Year family reflection and healing offers a meaningful alternative to traditional resolutions.
Instead of focusing on fixing yourself or your family, this approach invites awareness, honesty, and connection.
The new year becomes a time to reflect on how you have grown and how your relationships have evolved.
New Year family reflection and healing helps families slow down and reset emotionally.
Many parents and teens carry stress from the past year. Couples often feel disconnected. Mother–daughter relationships may hold unspoken tension.
Reflection creates space for understanding instead of blame. Healing begins when everyone feels seen and heard. Spend time reflecting individually and then talking about your insights as a family and as a couple.
For parents and adult children, New Year family reflection and healing focuses on awareness.
Parents can reflect on:
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How they responded instead of reacted
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Where communication improved
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What patterns became clearer
Small changes in awareness lead to healthier family dynamics.
New Year Family Reflection and Healing for Mother–Daughter Relationships
The mother–daughter bond often carries emotional history.
Time for reflection and healing allows both to:
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Acknowledge past misunderstandings
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Release unrealistic expectations
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Create safer conversations
Healing does not require revisiting every past event.
It begins with compassion and curiosity.
New Year Healing for Marriage
Marriage grows stronger through awareness, not perfection.
New Year family reflection and healing supports couples by helping them:
Intentional reflection creates space for reconnection.
Setting Intentions After New Year Family Reflection and Healing
After reflection, intentions come naturally.
Instead of rigid goals, consider intentions such as:
Intentions support growth without pressure.
A Gentle Beginning to the New Year
New Year family reflection and healing invites presence instead of performance.
It allows families to begin the year grounded, aware, and connected.
Healing happens when there is space for honesty and support.
If you’re interested in finding ways to heal and bring calm and presence into your life sign up for my FREE CONSULT here.
Warmly, Debra
by Debra | Dec 15, 2025
The holiday season can be beautiful, but for many people it also triggers old wounds, family tension, grief, unmet expectations, and emotional overwhelm. When December arrives, many clients tell me they feel pulled back into patterns they’ve tried all year to outgrow. Whether it’s your relationship with your partner, your daughter, or your entire family, the holidays tend to magnify what hasn’t been healed.
But there is another way to move through the season—one that brings clarity, grounding, and genuine reconnection found through a healing Sedona Soul Retrieval Retreat.
Why Holidays Bring Up Emotional Pain
- Old Patterns Resurface- No matter how much personal growth you’ve done, being around family can pull you back into childhood roles, defenses, or wounds.
- Expectations Create Pressure- Holiday gatherings, family obligations, and the desire to “keep the peace” can leave you feeling emotionally stretched.
- Stress Diminishes Connection- When stress rises, communication breaks down. Couples may argue more, mothers and daughters may disconnect, and families may feel divided or tense.
- Unresolved Dynamics Become Clearer- The holidays illuminate what needs healing — relationship cracks, emotional distance, or internal exhaustion.
This heightened awareness is not a failure. It’s an invitation.
A Transformational Holiday: Why Retreating to Sedona Creates Real Healing
- Learn how to use your stress to promote healing.
- Stop repeating painful patterns, and break through them.
- Instead of giving material gifts, give the gift of deep healing and presence.
A Sedona Soul Retrieval Retreat is one of the most powerful gifts you can offer during the holiday season.
Sedona amplifies healing- the energy, the land, the stillness supports emotional release, grounding, and clarity.
During this season, when emotional triggers are strongest, Sedona Soul Retrieval Retreats offers the opposite — quiet, grounding, and truth.
- Reset old emotional patterns
- Understand triggers and reactions
- Strengthen communication
- Rebuild trust with your partner or daughter
- Heal generational wounds
- Release emotional heaviness that resurfaces during the holidays
- Reconnect to your authentic self
This is deep work which shifts relationships and inner landscapes permanently.
A New Kind of Holiday Gift: Healing Instead of More Stress
For many people, the greatest holiday gift is not a wrapped box — it’s the opportunity to:
- Feel seen and understood
- Repair a strained relationship
- Heal past wounds
- Move into the new year lighter, clearer, and more connected
The Sedona Soul Retrieval Retreat offers exactly that.
Clients often tell me, “This was the most meaningful Christmas gift I’ve ever received.”
If This Season Feels Heavy, You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
Whether your relationship is tender, your communication feels strained, or your heart is tired, a Mother Daughter, Individual or Family Retreat can shift everything.
Sedona is a powerful place to release what’s no longer serving you and rebuild connection — with your loved ones and with yourself.
This year, instead of letting holiday stress take over, you can choose healing, grounding, and reconnection.
It’s still not too late to book a holiday retreat. Schedule a Free Consult now!
by Debra | Dec 1, 2025
Escaping the Drama Triangle
Understanding Reactive Patterns in Relationships
In every close relationship—whether between partners or between a mother and daughter—emotions can rise quickly and communication can break down. One person may feel blamed, another unheard, and before long, both people react instead of respond.
This is where Dr. Stephen Karpman’s Drama Triangle becomes a powerful guide. It offers a simple yet profound map of how we fall into fear-based dynamics and how we can step out of them to create more loving, conscious connection.
The Three Roles of the Drama Triangle
The Drama Triangle includes three repeating roles we often slip into when we’re triggered:
The Victim: feels powerless, misunderstood, or overwhelmed.
The Rescuer: tries to fix or save others to avoid discomfort.
The Persecutor: criticizes, controls, or blames to feel safe.
Each role stems from fear—fear of rejection, of not being enough, or of losing connection. While these roles temporarily protect us, they keep us locked in a cycle of reactivity rather than true emotional intimacy.
How It Shows Up in Couples
In marriages or long-term partnerships, the Drama Triangle often appears subtly:
- One partner feels unheard and slips into the Victim role.
- The other steps in as the Rescuer, trying to fix instead of listening.
- When frustration escalates, someone shifts into the Persecutor role, blaming or withdrawing.
This creates a repeating loop of distance. Healing begins when both partners recognize the pattern, take a breath, and shift into conscious roles—Creator, Coach, and Challenger—responding with compassion and responsibility instead of control or blame.
Between mothers and daughters, the triangle often forms from deep emotional history.
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A daughter may feel like a Victim when her mother’s guidance feels like control.
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A mother may become the Rescuer, over-involved and trying to “help” too much.
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When boundaries are crossed, both can fall into Persecutor energy—words get sharp, emotions raw.
These patterns are often inherited across generations. Healing comes when both learn to pause, soften their hearts, and speak from love instead of defense.
At Sedona Soul Retrieval Retreats, we explore these dynamics in depth, helping mothers and daughters—or couples—recognize how they unconsciously create conflict and how to transform that energy into connection and growth.
The Path to Transformation
When we step out of the Drama Triangle, we enter what’s called the Empowerment Triangle:
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The Victim becomes the Creator, taking responsibility for emotions and choices.
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The Rescuer becomes the Coach, offering support without control.
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The Persecutor becomes the Challenger, encouraging growth with compassion.
This shift allows relationships to breathe again. It opens the space for empathy, honesty, and mutual respect—the foundations of conscious love.
Whether between a couple or a mother and daughter, healing begins with awareness. At Sedona Soul Retrieval, we guide you in identifying the unconscious roles you play and teach you tools to return to balance and authenticity. When you choose to respond with love instead of fear, every relationship can become a pathway to spiritual growth.
Ready to Break the Cycle?
Schedule a Free Consult Here to explore your retreat or mentoring options and begin transforming your relationships with awareness and love.
When I was at a loss as to move forward in my relationship with my daughter, I found Debra. As a psychotherapist for over 23 years, we had done some traditional therapy without success. The retreat was wonderful, and we accomplish so much in three days. I feel we have a new way of communicating now, and I’m excited for our future together.”
~ Maria, Mother
“The mother daughter retreat is the best thing my mom and I have done for our relationship. Debra was great at helping us better understand each other, and find more effective ways to communicate. I highly recommend this retreat as it was a transformative experience”
~ Marissa, Daughter – 25
2024 FOLLOWUP: “Hi Debra – Happy New Year! We just got back from 12 days in Mexico together and Marissa and I are just doing so fantastic. And all my work as a therapist for the last 25 years I’ve never seen this major shift between two people, Marissa is being so loving with me and very caring. I am just so grateful for our time with you!”
~ Maria, Mother
Warmly, Debra
by Debra | Nov 17, 2025
Responding Mindfully From a Place of Love, Not Fear
When Conversations Trigger Discomfort
Responding from love, not fear begins with awareness. We’ve all had those moments when a conversation suddenly shifts and becomes uncomfortable. Last night, I was having dinner with a friend when the topic of politics came up. I immediately noticed tension rising in my body. I did my best to stay present with her, but my anxiety grew.
Politics can be tricky—it often pulls me away from love and into fear. After a bit of back and forth, I shared how I was feeling and gently asked if we could bring the conversation back into love. She knows where I stand spiritually, and I understand her perspective, so there was mutual respect. While we talked, I focused on my breath and stayed connected to myself. Eventually, I felt my body return to a calm, grounded state.
The Power of the Pause
After the evening was over, I reflected on how powerful it is when we choose to respond from kindness, calm, and non-judgment rather than fear. That choice truly makes all the difference.
There’s always a small gap—a pause—between what happens and how we respond. That moment of stillness is where our freedom from suffering begins. By taking a deep breath and centering ourselves before speaking or reacting, we open space to check in with what’s happening inside. This space lets us choose behaviors that build bridges of connection instead of walls of separation.
How Triggers Hijack Connection
When I work with mothers and daughters or couples, this awareness becomes a major realization. In the heat of a trigger, emotions can hijack them, leading to reactive behaviors that intensify conflict. Stepping outside the moment, using the pause, and viewing the situation from a calmer internal space transforms communication.
Practicing Love Over Fear
With consistent practice, we become better at managing our emotions, sitting with our feelings, and responding from a place of peace. Today’s political climate gives us plenty of opportunities to notice when we slip into reactivity and gently guide ourselves back to love.
Emotions like anger, disappointment, and frustration often have fear at their core. Whether it’s with a partner, a teen, family member, or colleague, the way we respond when triggered shapes the energy of our relationships. Each moment offers a choice: react from fear or respond from love.
Ready to Deepen Your Healing?
If you’re ready to shift from fear to love and transform the way you communicate, I invite you to explore Family Retreats, Couples Retreats or a Mother Daughter Retreat, or look into Mentoring sessions with Sedona Soul Retrieval. Reach out today to begin creating more peace, clarity, and connection in your relationships.
Check out my book for parents What If Your Teen Isn’t The Problem? A Guide To Conscious Parenting. It’s not for parents of teens. It’s a great tools to teach you how to manage your emotions and respond rather than react through your triggers.
Testimonial From Couples Retreat Participants
“This retreat was absolutely amazing. What an eye-opening experience. I’ve been to at least 15 counselors in my life and I’ve never met anyone like Debra. An just a matter of three days she was able to uncover things in me and my partner that has taken almost a lifetime. No other therapist/counselor or life coach has been able to uncover these things that she has. I have learned so much about myself, my partner, and our triggers. I especially love the different excursions that she offers. I highly recommend the land excursion, it was so amazing my husband and I both left in tears. We are so happy we found Debra and Sedona Soul Retrieval. I promise you coming here will change your life.”
-Melissa, Wife
“Debra was fantastic. My wife and I were referred here by a family member. When we showed up we had no clue what would happen. This was the best thing we have ever done for a marriage in 17 years. After two times close to divorces over the 17 years we were married, this retreat really helped us grow, and we finally feel like we are on a new journey toward healing and closeness. I think everyone should do this- in a marriage you really get to know your partner.”
-Bruce, Husband
If you’re interested in finding ways to heal and bring calm and presence into your life sign up for my FREE CONSULT here.
Warmly, Debra
by Debra | Nov 3, 2025
Healing the Complex Ties of the Adult Mother–Daughter Relationship
The bond between a mother and daughter is one of the most powerful and complicated relationships in a woman’s life. It’s layered with love, expectations, unspoken hurts, and a deep longing to be understood.
At Sedona Soul Retrieval, I’ve seen how unresolved mother-daughter issues ripple far beyond the two women involved — they can quietly affect the entire family’s emotional health.
The Hidden Patterns Behind Mother–Daughter Issues
Even in adulthood, many women find themselves triggered by their mothers or their daughters. Old roles resurface: the caretaker, the pleaser, the rebel, the distant one.
When these patterns aren’t recognized, they often replay unconsciously, creating tension not only between mother and daughter, but also between partners, siblings, and even grandchildren.
Common signs of unresolved mother-daughter issues include:
- Feeling unheard or dismissed, no matter your age.
- Walking on eggshells to avoid conflict.
- Emotional distance or the need to “keep peace” by staying superficial.
- A sense of guilt or resentment that never fully clears.
These emotional imbalances can lead to stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges throughout the entire family system.
Why These Patterns Affect the Whole Family
When the mother–daughter relationship is out of alignment, it subtly disturbs the family’s emotional rhythm. The daughter may unconsciously project unresolved pain onto her own children. The mother might lean on her daughter for emotional support that should come from within. Partners can feel caught in the middle, and family gatherings become energetically tense instead of nourishing.
Healing one relationship often releases the energetic knot holding the family’s emotional flow in place. That’s why I believe so strongly in creating space for women to step outside their daily routines and reconnect — not from a place of blame, but from compassion and awareness.
The Power of a Mother–Daughter Retreat in Sedona
A Mother-Daughter Retreat offers a sacred container for transformation.
In the stillness of Sedona’s red rocks, away from distractions and old patterns, mothers and daughters can finally:
- See each other beyond roles and expectations.
- Understand how family patterns shaped both of their behaviors.
- Heal through honest, heart-centered communication.
- Rebuild trust, respect, and connection.
Each retreat is customized to your relationship dynamic — whether you’re seeking gentle reconnection or deep repair. Through guided processes, energy work, and conscious dialogue, both women begin to release the emotional blocks that have kept love at a distance.
Why Healing This Relationship Heals So Much More
When a mother and daughter do this inner work, the benefits extend outward:
- Peace returns to the family system. Siblings, partners, and children feel the shift.
- Generational healing begins. Old wounds stop repeating through lineage.
- Both women reclaim their authentic selves. Love replaces resentment, and freedom replaces guilt.
Even if your daughter isn’t ready to join, a solo retreat or mentoring focused on your side of the relationship can begin this healing ripple. When one person does the work, the energy of the relationship begins to transform.
Schedule a Free Consult Here to talk about your options and begin to heal this important relationship.
Warmly, Debra
P.S. If you are looking for a great tool for managing your emotions and learning how to lead with Love not Fear, even though this was written for parents of teens, it’s a great resource for parents with any age child.
Check it out.
Testimonial from Adult Mother Daughter Retreat
When I was at a loss as to move forward in my relationship with my daughter, I found Debra. As a psychotherapist for over 23 years, we had done some traditional therapy without success. The retreat was wonderful, and we accomplish so much in three days. I feel we have a new way of communicating now, and I’m excited for our future together.”
~ Maria, Mother
“The mother daughter retreat is the best thing my mom and I have done for our relationship. Debra was great at helping us better understand each other, and find more effective ways to communicate. I highly recommend this retreat as it was a transformative experience”
~ Marissa, Daughter – 25
2024 FOLLOWUP: “Hi Debra – Happy New Year! We just got back from 12 days in Mexico together and Marissa and I are just doing so fantastic. And all my work as a therapist for the last 25 years I’ve never seen this major shift between two people, Marissa is being so loving with me and very caring. I am just so grateful for our time with you!”
~ Maria, Mother
by Debra | Oct 15, 2025
Parenting doesn’t end when our children grow up—it simply changes form. The family dynamics evolve. Yet emotional patterns often linger. When we haven’t healed the old beliefs and fears within ourselves, they can continue to show up in our relationships with our adult children.
At Sedona Soul Retrieval, I often see families struggle. Old patterns of control, judgment, or emotional reactivity haven’t yet been released. And one of the most damaging patterns is when parents get pulled into toxic dynamics—such as talking to one adult child about another or trying to fix conflicts that aren’t theirs to fix.
The Ripple Effect of Unhealed Reactions
When we react from old wounds — whether that’s frustration, fear, or guilt — we’re not responding from love. We’re reacting from our inner child’s pain. That energy doesn’t just affect us; it affects everyone in the family.
When two parents are triggered by each other, that energy magnifies. When those reactions spill over to your adult children, they feel it in their bodies, just as they did when they were young. The nervous system remembers. According to Cleveland Clinic, “Your nervous system plays a role in everything you do. The three main parts of your nervous system are your brain, spinal cord and nerves. It helps you move, think and feel. It even regulates the things you do but don’t think about like digestion.”
The only way to shift this pattern is by learning to manage your own energy — guiding your nervous system from fear to love. The more you do your inner work, the more peace you bring into every relationship, including with your grown children.
Breaking Toxic Communication Cycles
One of the most common ways toxicity shows up in families is through triangulation — talking to one adult child about another. Even if it feels harmless or you’re “just venting,” this behavior creates division, resentment, and mistrust.
Toxicity creeps in via triangulation. You chat with one adult child about another. It seems innocent—a quick vent. Yet it breeds division, resentment, mistrust
.An adult child vents about a sibling? Redirect gently. Say: “I hear your upset. But talk to them directly.”
This choice ends the drama. You model strong boundaries. Don’t mediate or patch things up. Love each child fully and stay out of their battles.
Practices for Healing and Regulating Together
- Get on the same page with your partner. If you and your spouse (or co-parent) react differently to your children, it sends mixed energy into the family system. Work together on staying calm and consistent.
- Regulate your nervous system first. Pause before responding. Take a walk, breathe deeply, or journal about what’s really being triggered inside of you.
- Commit to doing your inner work. The more you work with your inner child, the more you can stay grounded and non-reactive, even when your adult children are struggling.
- Refuse to engage in gossip or triangulation. Instead, encourage direct communication and emotional responsibility among all family members.
From Reaction to Conscious Connection
Healing family dynamics as adults isn’t about blame, it’s about awareness. When you stop reacting and start responding from love, you create a ripple of safety and respect that transforms your family energy.
At Sedona Soul Retrieval, my Family Retreats, Couples Retreats and Mother Daughter Retreats and Mentoring sessions are designed to help parents and adult children heal old wounds, communicate more consciously, and find peace within the family system.
When you do your inner work, everyone benefits. Healing yourself is the first step in healing your family.
Warmly, Debra
“Our retreat with Debra was one of the most memorable, impactful times in our lives. The time I spent with my teenage daughters was so special and unique. I learned so much about myself and tools that I can use in my life to help me become the best version of myself. I feel like it was a gift I gave to myself and to my daughters. I am also so grateful that my daughters have recognized and learned about themselves in a profound, deep way. I feel like my daughter’s relationship was so strengthened as well as the three of ours as well!”
~ Leslie, Mother
“This retreat really helped me find my higher mind. I was at first closed off about it but it really helps you focus on yourself and become the best person you can be for yourself. Also Debra is an amazing person who really helps in such a short period of time. This is truly a life-changing experience that I would 100% recommend. This is all coming from a 17-year-old girl.”
~ Samantha, Daughter
“Overall, this retreat was a great experience. It helped me get to know myself and my family members better and helped me come up with solutions to fix problems in the future. I definitely recommend doing this and I had a great time!”
~ Cameron, Daughter
A great tool for all parents with children of any age is my new book-even though it is directed for parents of teens it is a wonderful resource for all parents.
Warmly, Debra
by Debra | Oct 1, 2025
One of the most profound relationships in life is the one between mother and daughter. At its best, this connection becomes the foundation for a daughter’s sense of belonging and safety in the world. When that bond is nurtured, it helps her feel grounded, capable, and whole. When it’s fractured or lost, it can feel like the ground beneath her has shifted.
I know this from personal experience. I lost my mother when I was just 26 years old. Even though I’ve done deep personal work over the years, there are still times I feel untethered without her presence. A mother provides something unique—a kind of anchor—that is hard to replace. And even in adulthood, we can long for that grounding connection.
The Weight of Labels
In my work, I hear daughters frequently describe their mothers as “narcissistic” or “toxic.” These words have become almost commonplace, and I sometimes wonder if they are being overused. When I ask what specifically makes them feel this way, I often hear examples of behavior that—while perhaps not ideal—don’t necessarily rise to the level of being narcissistic or toxic. Sometimes, it seems what’s really happening is that the mother has tried to set a boundary, and the daughter doesn’t like it.
This is not to minimize real harm that some mothers and daughters experience. There are, of course, situations where estrangement is necessary and healthy. But I also believe there are many relationships being cut off prematurely—sometimes encouraged by therapists or cultural messages—that could be healed if given the right tools, safe space, and guidance.
Healing in Relationship
The mother-daughter relationship is layered, complex, and often tender. Yet, when both parties are willing, healing is possible. Coming together in a structured, compassionate environment allows space for old wounds to be acknowledged and for new patterns of connection to emerge.
This is the heart of the work I facilitate in my Mother-Daughter Retreats. I hold a safe and supportive space where both sides can be heard. If true narcissistic or toxic patterns exist, we will address them openly. And if, after the retreat, no resolution is possible, at least both mother and daughter can leave knowing they’ve done everything they could to try to heal the bond.
A Path Toward Grounding
Even when it feels difficult, exploring the mother-daughter relationship can bring deep healing. For daughters, reclaiming a sense of grounding in connection with their mothers can be transformative. For mothers, the opportunity to release guilt and better understand their daughters’ perspective can be equally powerful.
The mother-daughter bond is not just another relationship—it is a lifeline, a root system. If you truly want to heal generational trauma, cutting off from part of your lineage doesn’t necessarily resolve it. In fact, it can exacerbate the wounds if you haven’t deeply addressed the underlying patterns in your ancestral lineage. When tended to with care, however, it can bring both women into deeper wholeness.
Take advantage of my free consult here before making a decision to release your mother daughter relationship entirely.
If you want to practice more love in your life and understand your fears, check out my retreats and mentoring, individual intensive retreat, a couples retreat, pre-marital retreat or a mother-daughter experience. You’ll walk away with a clearer path, a lighter heart, and a deeper connection to yourself.
Sending Love, Debra
Mother-Daughter Testimonial
“When I was at a loss as to move forward in my relationship with my daughter, I found Debra. As a psychotherapist for over 23 years, we had done some traditional therapy without success. The retreat was wonderful, and we accomplish so much in three days. I feel we have a new way of communicating now, and I’m excited for our future together.”
~ Maria, Mother
2024 FOLLOWUP: “Hi Debra – Happy New Year! We just got back from 12 days in Mexico together and Marissa and I are just doing so fantastic. And all my work as a therapist for the last 25 years I’ve never seen this major shift between two people, Marissa is being so loving with me and very caring. I am just so grateful for our time with you!”
~ Maria, Mother
“The mother daughter retreat is the best thing my mom and I have done for our relationship. Debra was great at helping us better understand each other, and find more effective ways to communicate. I highly recommend this retreat as it was a transformative experience”
~ Marissa, Daughter – 25
Even though my new book What If Your Teen Isn’t The Problem? A Guide To Conscious Parenting is written for parents of teens, many parents of adult children have benefited from reading it.
by Debra | Sep 20, 2025
At some point, we must pause and ask ourselves a hard question: When did we become okay with rallying for someone’s death simply because they believe differently than we do?
In our culture today, I see a growing trend of celebrating when someone we disagree with is harmed, even killed. Social media makes it easy to dehumanize people and forget that behind every headline, there are grieving families, wives, husbands, children, and communities. When I watched the conversations around Charlie Kirk’s death, I was deeply saddened. I didn’t agree with everything he said, but I never would want to see his life end because of his beliefs.
The fact that so many voices—on stage, in comment sections, across platforms—could meet his death with celebration rather than compassion is a stark reminder of how much fear drives us when we take sides.
Fear or Love?
Every time we divide ourselves into “us” and “them,” we are acting from fear. Fear says: If you don’t believe what I believe, you are dangerous. You must be destroyed. Love says: Even if I disagree with you, your life still matters.
We can’t claim to be “leveling up” as human beings or as spiritual seekers if our first instinct is to hate, to cancel, to destroy. True growth is measured in compassion. Compassion does not require agreement—it requires humanity.
Looking Inward
When anger arises and we feel compelled to lash out at “the other side,” that is the moment to look inward. What fear in us is being triggered? What wound inside us is looking for an outlet? Projection—whether through social media rants, cruel comments, or dismissive attitudes—is never the answer.
Instead, we can use these moments as invitations for inner work:
Teaching by Example
Our teens, our children, and even our peers are watching. What we model—hatred or compassion—teaches louder than anything we say. If we want a future grounded in love, it has to start with us now.
Let us show by example that we can disagree without destroying one another. That we can acknowledge pain and difference without abandoning our humanity. That we can look beyond sides and return, again and again, to love.
Whether you are a parent of a teen or just a parent, my book – What If Your Teen Isn’t The Problem? A Guide To Conscious Parenting is a great source of information to explore your fears and how you react through them.
If you want to practice more love in your life and understand your fears, check out my retreats and mentoring, individual intensives, a couples retreat, pre-marital retreat or a mother-daughter experience. You’ll walk away with a clearer path, a lighter heart, and a deeper connection to yourself.
If you want to explore your options, book a Free Consult with Debra
Sending Love, Debra
by Debra | Jun 21, 2025
Your Fiancé Said Yes!
Now make sure you are getting a strong start to your marriage by exploring a Pre-marital Couples Retreat.
Most people go into partnerships without any preparation, hoping for the best, with expectations of how their partner will make them happy. Unfortunately, many times neither partner has the tools to fulfill these expectations.
Entering marriage often begins with a romantic vision of “happily ever after,” but the honeymoon phase will inevitably fade and it’s important to have the tools to manage the relationship consciously. At Sedona Soul Retrieval, we understand that without intentional preparation, marriages can quickly shift from a joyful union to emotional suffering.
That’s why we’re excited to offer Pre‑Marital Couples Retreats—custom-designed immersive experiences (1–3 days) tailored to your unique relationship. Here’s why investing in one could be the greatest gift you give your future partnership.
Why You Should Do a Pre‑Marital Retreat
According to industry stats, the first years of marriage often bring unexpected challenges—41% of first marriages end in divorce, and the rate is higher for subsequent marriages. Without tools and awareness, couples fall into blame cycles, allowing minor triggers to grow into major conflicts.
A Pre‑Marital Couples Retreat helps you:
- Forge healthy communication skills and emotional intimacy.
- Identify and heal personal triggers before they impact your relationship.
- Build a shared foundation of trust, understanding, and conscious conflict resolution.
- Start married life connected, empowered, and aligned—not waiting until you’re in crisis.
What to Expect During Your Retreat
Every retreat is custom-fit to your relationship needs. Here’s what’s typically included:
- Personalized design: Tailored sessions that address where you are and where you want to go.
- Practical tools: Conflict resolution, communication strategies, emotional awareness and forgiveness exercises to let go and move forward.
- Healing space: Safe environment-both physically and emotionally for exploring the dynamics of your relationship and heal old wounds and beliefs.
- Modalities: Breathwork, land experience, equine therapy, or sound healing to deepen your understanding of yourself and your partner.
- After-care: Continued integration support after returning home.
Whether you’re simply planning a conscious journey into marriage or preparing for a stronger future together, our Pre-Marital Retreats ensure you’re entering that sacred space equipped for growth, partnership, and love.
This retreat is ideal if you:
- Want to build a thriving, joyful marriage from the start.
- Desire early communication strategies to avoid misunderstandings later.
- Hope to explore and heal childhood and emotional triggers together.
- Wish to deepen your bond and intimacy before vows are spoken.
As shared by Rob and Mandy, past participants:
“We got more out of this in 2 days than from hundreds of counseling sessions… Your marriage will thank you!”
Start Your Journey Today
Book a free discovery session to see if a Pre-Marital Retreat is a fit for you and you partner.
Marriage isn’t just an event—it’s an ongoing evolution. Let your engagement be the launchpad for a sacred, conscious partnership. With awareness, love, communication, and shared growth, your marriage is poised to thrive.
Also check out our Couple Retreat if you are married and want a reset!
Are you ready to begin your transformation together?
Book your free discovery session or call me at 928‑275‑1087 today.
Love, Debra
by Debra | Jun 12, 2025
Have you ever asked yourself: Do I truly love and accept who I am—mistakes and all?
Too often, we label our actions (and ourselves) as “good” or “bad.” This kind of black-and-white thinking comes from what some call the “lower mind”—the part of us that judges rather than understands. Yes, our choices shape our lives, and some lead us down paths we wouldn’t choose again. But even those missteps can become powerful lessons that contribute to our growth.
When a decision results in pain, regret, or discomfort, it doesn’t mean you’re bad—it means you’re human. What matters is what you do next. Rather than beat yourself up, try this instead:
Acknowledge the choice. Learn from it. Forgive yourself. Then move forward with new awareness.
Many of us were raised hearing, “Be a good girl” or “Don’t be bad.” Whether said directly or implied through disapproval, these early messages taught us to judge ourselves harshly. Even if your parents didn’t use those exact words, you may still have internalized the sense that something about you needed fixing. That constant pressure to be “better” can linger, shaping how you see yourself today.
Here’s the truth: You’re not here to be perfect. You’re here to evolve.
The real opportunity lies in looking closely at the choices that didn’t serve you—and understanding why. When we simply label ourselves as good or bad, we shut down curiosity and compassion. But when we choose to explore what we really wanted, and how we might approach things differently next time, we grow.
So, the next time you feel self-judgment creeping in, pause. Ask yourself:
- What outcome was I hoping for?
- What need was I trying to meet?
- What can I do differently now—with love and self-respect?
Self-acceptance isn’t about letting yourself off the hook. It’s about learning without shame.
You’re not bad. You’re becoming.
If you’re struggling to find that self-love, or if you’re stuck in old patterns that keep repeating, you’re not alone. My retreats and one-on-one mentoring are designed to help you uncover what’s holding you back—whether it’s through an individual intensive, a couples retreat, pre-marital retreat or a mother-daughter experience. If you have a teen, check out my mother/teen daughter retreats! You’ll walk away with a clearer path, a lighter heart, and a deeper connection to yourself.
If you have a teen, or a friend with a teen, check out my other website EmpoweredTeensandParents.com. It is a great resource for handling the tough teenage years more consciously.
And I’m excited to announce… the release date for my latest book is 7/7/25! This book is for parents of teens, although any parent would benefit. It’s called: What If Your Teen Isn’t the Problem? A Guide to Conscious Parenting. More about that soon!
Book a FREE Consult
Adult Mother Daughter Retreat Testimonial
“I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me and my daughter. Having a “young adult” child move to the other side of the country while trying to resolve issues is needless to say challenging. When I was looking for an adult mother-daughter retreat online, I came across your website. 
Our expectations were exceeded. I loved that your retreat was so personal. The “one on one” sessions truly helped me see that my daughter was an adult and on her own journey. We both felt so comfortable talking to you. You were non-judgemental and so intuitive. You gave us both tools to use in life, not only with each other but with anyone we have a relationship with. Especially our own “little girls. The beautiful setting of Sedona and the activities you planned for us were the icing on the cake. We resolved so many issues and re-bonded emotionally and spiritually. I can truthfully say that we are closer now than ever. We have a new found respect for each other. My daughter and I needed this so badly. I have tears in my eyes again while writing to you. (and I am not a cryer) We love you and thank you for everything. With gratitude,” – Jill, Mother
Love, Debra
by Debra | Feb 10, 2025
Are you experiencing Adult Mother Daughter Estrangement? In recent years, I’ve noticed a heartbreaking trend—many adult daughters, particularly in their 30s, are completely disconnecting from their mothers. While no mother is perfect, I believe that many of these strained relationships can be repaired with open communication, self-awareness, and a willingness to heal. Unfortunately, many daughters are unwilling to take this step, leaving mothers heartbroken and confused, wondering what they did to warrant such complete detachment.
I want to be clear—there are situations where estrangement is necessary, especially in cases of severe, ongoing abuse. But in many cases, the “crime” does not seem to fit the “punishment.” Emotional wounds from childhood, misunderstandings, and unhealed pain can build walls that feel impossible to break down. But I believe there is hope.
That’s why I am passionate about creating mother-daughter retreats—safe, guided spaces where both mothers and daughters can come together, even for just one weekend, to explore their relationship, express their feelings, and work toward understanding and healing. This retreat isn’t about placing blame or demanding immediate reconciliation. Instead, it’s a last effort to find clarity, acknowledge past hurts, and determine if healing is possible. I have worked with adult mother daughters that haven’t spoken in years, who then come into a healthy relationship where love is present again.
Why a Retreat?
- A Safe Space for Honest Conversations – Many mothers and daughters struggle to communicate effectively. A retreat provides a structured environment where each person can feel heard.
- Guided Healing – With the help of experienced facilitator, mothers and daughters can engage in exercises designed to promote understanding and empathy.
- Breaking Generational Patterns – Many daughters fear repeating their mothers’ mistakes. Addressing family dynamics together can create healthier relationships for future generations.
- Preventing Regret – In time, many estranged daughters may wish they had sought resolution. A retreat offers a chance to explore reconciliation before it’s too late.
The Challenge: Getting Daughters to Participate One of the biggest obstacles is that many daughters are unwilling to even consider reconnecting. Some therapists encourage complete estrangement, and societal messages often frame cutting off family as an act of self-care. While boundaries are essential, complete disconnection without an effort to resolve underlying issues can leave lasting wounds.
If you are a daughter, just think about what is possible to gain and what there is to lose. If, after the retreat, you are still in the same position, and your mother hasn’t budged on her position, this is okay, now you have your answer, and you can move on with your life, knowing you did everything you possibly could.
If you are a mother, my suggestion would be to send a text or email letting your daughter know how important your relationship is to you and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to mend this bridge. Maybe try suggesting a retreat together with someone to mediate and send her my website info SedonaSoulRetrieval.com. If that doesn’t work, my suggestion is to work with me individually, mentoring to shift the energy and to detach from a loving place. Quite often after mothers work with me, looking at their fears and wounding and understanding how not to project them onto their daughter, the energy shifts on its own and the daughter comes around.
Through my Adult Mother Daughter Retreats and Mentoring, we will explore the complexities of mother-daughter dynamics, understand your part and heal old beliefs. If you are a mother struggling with estrangement or a daughter feeling conflicted about cutting ties, or just want to dig deeper into your relationship together and build a deeper connection, lets talk.
For those of you with teen daughters who would like to connect better and learn how to deepen or repair your bond, please check out my Teen Mother Daughter Retreats at EmpoweredTeensandParents.com.
Healing is possible, and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
Love, Debra
Book a FREE Consult
Adult Mother Daughter Retreat Testimonial
“I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me and my daughter. Having a “young adult” child move to the other side of the country while trying to resolve issues is needless to say challenging. When I was looking for an adult mother-daughter retreat online, I came across your website. Our expectations were exceeded. I loved that your retreat was so personal. The “one on one” sessions truly helped me see that my daughter was an adult and on her own journey. We both felt so comfortable talking to you. You were non-judgemental and so intuitive. You gave us both tools to use in life, not only with each other but with anyone we have a relationship with. Especially our own “little girls. The beautiful setting of Sedona and the activities you planned for us were the icing on the cake. We resolved so many issues and re-bonded emotionally and spiritually. I can truthfully say that we are closer now than ever. We have a new found respect for each other. My daughter and I needed this so badly. I have tears in my eyes again while writing to you. (and I am not a cryer) We love you and thank you for everything. With gratitude,” – Jill, Mother
