Step sibling relationships often create tremendous stress for parents and step- parents. Blending two families can sometimes feel like a crap shoot where no matter what you do to try to turn things around you just keep on losing. This is because step-sibling relationships can be very emotionally complicated, especially for adolescents.

As each child tries, usually unconsciously, to cope with the many emotions s/he may have regarding the sea of changes s/he has experienced, from divorce to relocation to entering a new family, s/he will often use a step-sibling as a kind of emotional punching bag or dumping ground for dealing with these changes. Equally concerning, sometimes the step-siblings may actually band together in unusual closeness, ganging up to put the parent-step parent pair through the emotional wringer. Either way, teenagers in these situations need help so that they will not be derailed from the normal tasks of teenage development.

When I work on step sibling issues I typically work in four key areas: • Coaching the parent and step parent on    concrete ways to navigate step-sibling    relationships • Working with the step-siblings together to help    them move their relationship in a direction that    is best for each sibling's, and the family's,    development • Working individually to help each step-sibling    take greater responsibility for his or her own    emotional wellness • Helping each step-sibling to decrease destructive    behaviors and develop compassion for the needs    of the parent-step parent pair

I have helped many step siblings. If you are looking for help call me
at (510) 465-0036 for an initial consultation. I offer a FREE first session.