Have you ever felt like something is off in your family relationships, but you can’t quite put your finger on why? You might feel “close” to your family members, yet also experience feelings of unhappiness, being trapped, or discomfort. This video explores the subtle but damaging dynamics of emotional incest within families—a phenomenon often mistaken for closeness.

Emotional incest occurs when a parent or caregiver places adult emotional responsibilities or expectations on their child, leading to boundary violations. This dynamic can entangle the child in their caregiver’s emotional world, often hindering their psychological development and well-being.

We created this video to help you recognize and understand emotional incest in family settings. By shedding light on these harmful dynamics, we aim to support viewers in building healthier family relationships and prioritizing mental well-being. Understanding the signs is the first step to breaking free from these patterns and fostering supportive, healthy connections. Remember, your feelings matter.

If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, seeking help from a mental health professional can be an important step toward healing and establishing healthier relationships.

**Writer:** Chamae Quiachon
**Editor:** Caitlin McColl
**Script Manager:** Kelly Soong
**Voice Over:** Brandon De Abreu
**YouTube Manager:** Cindy Cheong

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**DISCLAIMER AND TRIGGER WARNING:**
This video discusses sensitive topics such as dysfunctional family dynamics and potential abuse. Please proceed with caution. The information in this video is for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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**FIND A HELPLINE:**
For support, visit: [https://findahelpline.com/]
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**REFERENCES:**
(Include references as bullet points for better readability.)
- Çimşir, E., & Akdogan, R. A. (2021). Childhood Emotional Incest Scale (CEIS): Development, validation, cross-validation, and reliability. *Journal of Counseling Psychology, 68*(1), 98–111. [DOI link](https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000439)
- Muk, K. (2020, January 13). Emotional Incest – Integrative Systemic Coaching. [Link](https://iscmentoring.eu/km/family-and-children/emotional-incest/)
- Raypole, C. (2022, June 23). How to Recognize and Heal From Emotional Incest. *Healthline*. [Link](https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-incest#takeaway)
- Robb-Dover, K. (2021, April 20). Emotional Incest: What It Is and What It Could Mean. *FHE Health*. [Link](https://fherehab.com/learning/emotional-incest-what-is-it)