Sibling relationships are hugely important to a child’s development, and strains in these relationships, whether due to mental health challenges or substance use, can pose unique challenges for siblings. Some youth respond by overachieving or perfectionism; others may feel resentful, and some may experience behavioral issues themselves. I understand the complicated way that family dynamics can shift when one sibling is experiencing a crisis, and enjoy helping to support the family system.

While some children may present with challenging “attention-seeking” behavioral responses to their sibling’s issues, others may internalize their worries. Sometimes, my work with these children/ teens simply involves having a safe space to express their fear or confusion, whether through play or talk. With other children, I collaborate with parents to ensure that their child is educated in an age-appropriate way about what is happening in regards to his/ her sibling’s experience. When children are worried about a loved one, often, their imagination “fills in the blanks.” Their version of events may actually be worse or more frightening than reality, so I find it is often extremely helpful to provide age-appropriate psychoeducation.

For more information on the importance and possible implications of sibling relationships, you may find this article useful: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288255/

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