Breaking Generational Cycles of Emotional Neglect

By Antoinette Peterson

Intergenerational trauma occurs in attachment relationships when a parent or caregiver has experienced relational trauma, and transmits that experience through others — often children–throughout their life. Emotional neglect, when a parent or caregiver fails to adequately respond to a child’s needs, is just one form of this trauma that can have a tremendous negative impact on a child. In fact, children who experience neglect are likely to grow up to be parents who are neglectful, as they were never shown how to nurture someone else’s emotions.  In this blog, we will discuss how emotional neglect occurs and impacts a child, the importance of breaking these intergenerational cycles, and how therapy can assist in this process. 

The Impact of Emotional Neglect

Emotional development begins from the day you are born, and one’s ability to form healthy attachments is critical to feeling safe and being attuned to those around you. Those who experienced emotional neglect as children, however, are often unaware of the importance of their own emotions, making it difficult to form healthy relationships. Recent research has reinforced the importance of breaking this intergenerational cycle, as trauma can pile on over time and lead to physical and mental health conditions as an adult. Some researchers even argue that the environment a child grows up in is more important for their health than their genetics. 

Breaking the Cycle

Emotional neglect can be passed down through generations. It is not uncommon to meet someone who was neglected or abused, whose parents and grandparents had the same experiences. One key part of breaking this cycle is identifying it and addressing it before an individual has children of their own.  Treatment can be as simple as educating people on the topic of intergenerational trauma/neglect, to training professionals in how to support parents who feel incapable of being responsive or engaged with their child — simply because they never experienced that treatment as a child. 

Addressing trauma with EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on the brain’s natural healing processes, using bilateral stimulation—typically in the form of guided eye movements, sounds, or taps—to help clients reprocess difficult experiences. EMDR has been proven effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, phobias, and other trauma-related conditions, including childhood emotional neglect. 

One of the key benefits of EMDR is that it allows individuals to heal from the emotional effects of trauma without having to relive every detail of the painful event. The therapy helps the brain reprocess memories, turning distressing experiences into neutral or even empowering ones. Because childhood emotional neglect can have a long-lasting impact on a person’s emotional and physical health, EMDR is a vital tool for helping individuals regain control over their lives, improve emotional well-being, and heal from past experiences.

How New Perspective Counseling Can Help

At New Perspective Counseling, we are committed to offering high-quality, individualized care through EMDR therapy. Our licensed and experienced therapists have undergone specialized training in EMDR and integrate this therapy with other evidence-based treatments to provide a comprehensive healing experience. We work closely with clients to ensure that they feel safe and supported throughout the EMDR process. We understand that every trauma is unique, and we tailor each session to meet the client’s specific needs, ensuring that they are progressing at a pace that feels comfortable. Schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists today.