Parenting does not end when your children become adults—it simply evolves. Many parents struggle with redefining their role as their children grow into independence. This stage can bring feelings of loss, frustration, or even conflict, especially when boundaries are unclear. Recognizing the natural shift from caretaker to supportive guide is the first step in navigating this transition.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
One of the most important aspects of dealing with adult children is establishing boundaries. Parents may feel compelled to offer constant advice or financial support, but this can sometimes hinder growth. Setting boundaries fosters respect, encourages accountability, and enables both parents and children to develop healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Clear communication and mutual understanding are key in this process.
Coping with Emotional Challenges
Parents often experience a mix of emotions—pride, worry, loneliness—when adult children make independent choices. These emotions are valid, yet they can feel overwhelming if left unacknowledged. Therapy provides a safe environment to process these feelings, offering strategies to cope with the fear of abandonment and to build self-worth. By addressing these emotional challenges, parents can embrace their evolving role with greater peace.
Embracing Personal Growth
This stage of life also presents an opportunity for parents to rediscover themselves. With adult children building their own lives, parents can focus on personal goals, relationships, and self-care. Reframing this transition as a time of growth can transform anxiety into empowerment and open the door to deeper self-acceptance.
Embark on a Journey of Healing with Karen O’Neill
Karen O’Neill is not only a licensed therapist but a compassionate guide who illuminates the path to self-discovery and emotional healing. Her unique blend of experience as an MFT and a psychoanalyst equips her with a multifaceted toolkit to facilitate transformative change in the lives of those she serves.
At O’Neill Counseling, you can connect with Karen O’Neill, LMFT, an experienced therapist dedicated to fostering emotional well-being. Explore our comprehensive range of services designed to guide you on a path of self-discovery and healing. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, identity issues, or addiction, Karen’s expertise can provide valuable insights. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any inquiries or to schedule a session.
Contact O’Neill Counseling today and begin your journey toward healthier family dynamics and personal peace.
About the Author
Karen O’Neill, LMFT 132761
Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Karen O’Neill has been practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 2019 and as a psychoanalyst since 2015. She specializes in helping individuals find belonging, safety, and self-acceptance, with a therapeutic approach shaped by psychoanalysis and compassion.

Karen Majdalani, LMFT (Lic. #132761) holds Master’s degrees in Psychoanalysis and in Marriage and Family Therapy, and has been practicing since 2015. She co-founded O’Neill Counseling with Sean O’Neill to provide affordable, insurance-based therapy for families, children, teens, and couples in Orange County. At O’Neill Counseling, she leads a team of associate therapists with diverse expertise, including trauma recovery, EMDR therapy, anxiety and depression treatment, and child and adolescent disorders. Karen is passionate about creating a safe and supportive space for growth, healing, and connection.