Going No Contact, Low Contact, and The Truth About LOW EFFORT FAMILIES with Dr. Sherrie Campbell
Thu Dec 18 2025
When family dynamics are painful, confusing, and chronically one-sided, the usual advice ("but it's your parent" / "family is everything" / "just forgive and move on") can make you feel even more trapped.
In the season finale of the WANTcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell — clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker — breaks down what actually separates everyday conflict from emotionally abusive family systems, why "no contact" is often misunderstood, and how to protect your peace without getting sucked back into the old roles.
We talk about:
What emotional abuse looks like (and what it's not) No contact vs. low contact vs. "cordial contact" What actually qualifies someone as a "toxic family member" The cost of going no contact (and how to prepare for that reality) Boundary-setting tools, plus how to stay present while giving toxic people nothing to hook into How smear campaigns work, and why going no contact can mean losing more relationships than you expected Parenting with toxic grandparents in the mix Rebuilding trust after experiencing family trauma and so, so much more. ***CW: Discuss both of physical and emotional abuse, deep trauma, and sensitive subject matter that might hit close to home if you're a survivor of abuse. If you need to bookmark this episode to come back to later, Dr Sherrie and I will be HERE for you when this conversation is something that feels supportive
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SHOW NOTES:
Dr. Sherrie Campbell's website: drsherriecampbell.com
Dr. Sherrie's TEDx talk: youtube.com/watch?v=deyHwDkG7oc
Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties podcast: drsherriecampbell.com/cutting-toxic-family-ties-podcast/
Instagram: instagram.com/dr.sherrie/
Facebook: facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dr.sherrie
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Join WANT on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com
Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch
Get WANT YOUR SELF!: http://wantyourself.com
Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com
Learn more about WANT: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com
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Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform!
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When family dynamics are painful, confusing, and chronically one-sided, the usual advice ("but it's your parent" / "family is everything" / "just forgive and move on") can make you feel even more trapped. In the season finale of the WANTcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell — clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker — breaks down what actually separates everyday conflict from emotionally abusive family systems, why "no contact" is often misunderstood, and how to protect your peace without getting sucked back into the old roles. We talk about: What emotional abuse looks like (and what it's not) No contact vs. low contact vs. "cordial contact" What actually qualifies someone as a "toxic family member" The cost of going no contact (and how to prepare for that reality) Boundary-setting tools, plus how to stay present while giving toxic people nothing to hook into How smear campaigns work, and why going no contact can mean losing more relationships than you expected Parenting with toxic grandparents in the mix Rebuilding trust after experiencing family trauma and so, so much more. ***CW: Discuss both of physical and emotional abuse, deep trauma, and sensitive subject matter that might hit close to home if you're a survivor of abuse. If you need to bookmark this episode to come back to later, Dr Sherrie and I will be HERE for you when this conversation is something that feels supportive ~~~ SHOW NOTES: Dr. Sherrie Campbell's website: drsherriecampbell.com Dr. Sherrie's TEDx talk: youtube.com/watch?v=deyHwDkG7oc Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties podcast: drsherriecampbell.com/cutting-toxic-family-ties-podcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/dr.sherrie/ Facebook: facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD TikTok: tiktok.com/@dr.sherrie ~~ Join WANT on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch Get WANT YOUR SELF!: http://wantyourself.com Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com Learn more about WANT: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com ~ IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO: Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform!