Heal the invisible wounds of childhood emotional neglect.

When we think of childhood abuse and neglect, we usually think of physical, sexual, or verbal harm. Yet another type of trauma commonly happens in childhood that often goes unnoticed. When a child’s emotional needs are routinely overlooked, ignored, invalidated, or unaddressed, it's called emotional neglect. And it's equally as damaging in the long-term.

Understanding what didn’t happen in childhood can be the key to understanding what's causing problems in your relationships today.

I'm Smadar Salzman, and I specialize in treating Childhood Emotional Neglect.

I'm a licensed psychotherapist with specialized training and nearly two decades of experience helping adults heal from childhood emotional neglect. You don't have to wonder if your therapist really gets you, an experience that can painfully replicate the exact nature of the trauma you experienced as a child. It's ok if you can't exactly name what you're struggling with or your goals for therapy. I understand this is part of the damage caused by emotional neglect. You won't be shamed or judged in our sessions. I'll listen to you and help you discover who you truly are inside. 

I can help you navigate and heal from past emotional neglect so you can deeply understand yourself and create healthy connections with others.

About Smadar

Finding a therapist to help you heal from childhood emotional neglect can be tricky.

Do you feel empty and disconnected? Do you sense that you’re different from everyone else, but you can’t put your finger on what’s wrong? Childhood emotional neglect, a term coined by psychologist Dr. Jonice Webb, is a powerful experience, but one that often goes unnoticed and untreated. 

Childhood emotional neglect can be hard to identify because it’s what didn’t happen in your childhood. It doesn’t leave any visible bruises or scars, but it’s hurtful and confusing for children.

Many people who experienced Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) describe their childhood as good and it’s only on closer examination that they recognize that something important was missing. Your parents may have been great at taking care of your physical needs, but emotional support and validation were all but nonexistent. The resultant cognitive dissonance can continue to wreak havoc in your intimate relationships and you may be drawn repeatedly to emotionally unavailable and dismissive partners.

As your therapist, I'll understand and help you recognize that childhood emotional neglect is the result of your parents' inability to validate and respond adequately to your emotional needs, not some inherent flaw in you that makes you unlovable.​

Children rely on their parents to meet their physical and emotional needs. And significant, but invisible damage is done when parents fail to meet their children’s emotional needs. I can help you to heal from emotional neglect and the impact it has had on your self-esteem and relationships.

FAQ about therapy for Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)

How do I know if I experienced childhood emotional neglect?

Healing involves recognizing that your feelings of emptiness, shame, or unworthiness are directly connected to your undeniably legitimate human needs for connection that were missed in your formative relationships in childhood. 

How can therapy help me heal from emotional neglect?

Since emotional neglect is an interpersonal wound, healing often needs to happen within a relationship. This can begin to happen in therapy because of the safe, consistent nature of the therapeutic relationship. Eventually you can begin to transfer this felt sense of being seen, heard, and that your inner world matters to your other relationships outside of therapy, too.

Can I have healthy relationships after childhood emotional neglect?

You can learn that, even though you've been ignored or rejected by some people, you can still seek out others who can meet your needs for connection. You can find people who are capable of meeting you with enthusiasm, even if you weren’t celebrated as a child.

I SPECIALIZE IN THERAPY FOR LASTING CHANGE

Break free from painful relationship patterns rooted in family dysfunction and childhood trauma so you can build the healthy, connected relationships you crave.

Schedule a Free Consultation