Estrangement Epidemic: Book Examines Therapy Culture's Role in Family Rifts
News related to:The Book Shelf Press · 2 min read
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, October 15, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Parents across the United States are struggling with the pain of estrangement from their adult children, a phenomenon that is affecting millions of people. According to a 2025 YouGov survey, 38% of US adults are estranged from at least one close family member, with 16% of those estranged from a parent. This issue is not just a personal struggle; it is a widespread problem that is causing missed conversations, lost contact, and severed relationships.
Richard L. Blake, a British psychology researcher and author based in Austin, Texas, has dedicated his work to understanding and addressing this epidemic. Blake, who has a PhD in psychology and a postgraduate certificate in psychotherapy, first became aware of the issue through parents reaching out to him with questions about why their adult children had cut them off. These parents often found themselves struggling to understand what had gone wrong, with some cases of estrangement occurring overnight.
Blake's journey into this topic began when he started posting about it on social media, and the response he received brought home the human cost of this issue.
The book also explores whether some of the advice intended to help people could be contributing to the breakdown of family relationships.
The book is aimed at helping people see that they are not alone in this struggle.
Blake's research and book challenge the notion that therapy is universally useful.
Blake's book, "Cut Off," is set to be published by The Book Shelf Press on October 6, 2026, and is now available on Amazon. The book is a result of Blake's personal experience with therapy and his research into mental health culture, anxiety, and breathwork. He is also the Vice President of the ESMH Coalition and is currently working on his next book, "The Anxiety Industry."
For anyone affected by estrangement or wondering why families are being pulled apart, "Cut Off" offers a perspective that asks readers to look beyond the silence. The book provides a platform for parents whose experiences are often dismissed and offers insights into the role of therapy culture in family estrangement.