# Episode 75 | Family Trauma and Dysfunction: Clinical Tools for Breaking Generational with Kara Lissy, LCSW Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030/episode-75-family-trauma-and-dysfunction-clinical-tools-for-breaking-generational-with-kara-lissy-lcsw Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030/episode-75-family-trauma-and-dysfunction-clinical-tools-for-breaking-generational-with-kara-lissy-lcsw.md Podcast: [The Affirming Minds Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030) Published: 2026-04-21T07:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://shaina-siber-sanderowitz.mykajabi.com/podcasts/the-affirming-minds-podcast/episodes/2149194710 Audio file: https://app.kajabi.com/podcasts/medias/2149194710.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030/episodes/episode-75-family-trauma-and-dysfunction-clinical-tools-for-breaking-generational-with-kara-lissy-lcsw Duration seconds: 3364 ## Resource   Course Information: https://canva.link/3j4cfb8py56le1o Episode Summary: In this episode of  The Affirming Minds Podcast , Shaina Siber, LCSW is joined by Kara Lissy, LCSW to explore how dysfunctional family dynamics shape adult relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation. Grounded in CBT, DBT, and ACT, this conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help clinicians and clients understand—and break—generational patterns. Topics Discussed: Family trauma vs. dysfunction How early adaptations show up in adulthood Boundaries, people-pleasing, and burnout Practical tools to interrupt maladaptive patterns About Our Guest: Kara Lissy, LCSW is a psychotherapist and author specializing in adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional family systems. She works with adults navigating anxiety, shame, and the long-term impact of emotionally unpredictable homes. Resources: Healing From a Dysfunctional Family: A Workbook to Break the Generational Cycle: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Dysfunctional-Family-Healing-from-a-Dysfunctional-Family-Workbook-Generational/dp/1648486134 Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. No other financial conflicts of interest were reported. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional. Don't Forget to Subscribe: If you love this episode, be sure to follow  The Affirming Minds Podcast  wherever you listen to your… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030/episodes/episode-75-family-trauma-and-dysfunction-clinical-tools-for-breaking-generational-with-kara-lissy-lcsw/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-affirming-minds-podcast-7020030/episode-75-family-trauma-and-dysfunction-clinical-tools-for-breaking-generational-with-kara-lissy-lcsw.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.