As an adult, another pivotal therapeutic change to healing from my family history was starting to attend Al-anon meetings. Working a 12 step spiritual program changed my family patterns and allowed me to discover my own beliefs, values, and attitude. I learned the following, tools for communication, all people are equal, love is not conditional, forgiveness, adaptable thinking, importance of gratitude, how to say “no”, and how to be self-aware of my own behaviors. Also, I was finally free to explore a relationship with a God of my understanding, rather than a God my dad did not believe in. “Parentification may sometimes foster positive adjustment including enhanced sensitivity, empathy, social responsibility and altruism, capacity for intimate
