Therapy for Childhood Emotional Neglect in New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Support for Adults Who Felt Unseen, Unsupported, or Emotionally Alone Growing Up
You didn’t choose the loneliness, the people-pleasing, or the sense that you had to handle everything on your own.
But you can choose support now.
I provide trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy for childhood emotional neglect (CEN) for adults in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Therapy is offered virtually, so you can access care from anywhere in NJ or PA.
Licensed in NJ & PA • Virtual Therapy
Why Emotional Emptiness Happens When Life Looks Fine
Emotional emptiness often isn’t caused by what’s happening now.
It’s shaped by what was missing earlier.
Childhood emotional neglect is one of several early relational experiences that can shape emotional safety and connection in adulthood. You can explore how this fits alongside other patterns on my page about attachment and developmental trauma.
Many adults who feel empty didn’t experience obvious trauma.
Instead, they grew up without consistent emotional support, validation, or attunement.
This is known as childhood emotional neglect.
When emotions weren’t noticed, mirrored, or welcomed growing up, you may have learned to:
Disconnect from your feelings
Minimize your needs
Stay busy, capable, or self-sufficient
Rely on logic instead of emotional awareness
Over time, this can lead to a sense of internal blankness—even when life is objectively “good.”
Signs Emotional Neglect May Be Behind the Emptiness
You might relate to feeling:
Emotionally numb or flat
Unsure what you actually feel or want
Guilty for wanting more connection or fulfillment
Like you’re performing life rather than living it
Disconnected from joy—even during good moments
Many people describe this as:
“I’m not unhappy… but I’m not really here either.”
That quiet emptiness is often your nervous system’s way of protecting you—by staying muted
Why You Might Minimize This Feeling
A common response to emotional emptiness is self-doubt:
“Other people had it worse.”
“Nothing bad happened to me.”
“I should be grateful.”
These thoughts don’t mean you’re dramatic or ungrateful.
They often reflect early conditioning that taught you your emotions weren’t important.
Therapy doesn’t ask whether your childhood was “bad enough.”
It focuses on how your experiences shaped your inner world.
How Therapy Helps When You Feel Empty Inside
Therapy for emotional neglect helps you gently reconnect with what was once pushed aside.
In our work together, therapy can help you:
Safely reconnect with emotions you learned to ignore
Develop language for feelings and needs
Release shame around wanting support or connection
Build emotional depth without overwhelm
Feel more present and alive in your own life
This is not about digging up memories or forcing feelings.
It’s about restoring emotional connection at a pace your nervous system can tolerate.
What to Expect in Our Work Together
This is not therapy that pushes you to relive your childhood or talk before you’re ready.
We move thoughtfully, using approaches such as:
Attachment-focused therapy
EMDR for relational and emotional trauma
Mind-body techniques to help you feel safer in your body
Reparenting and inner-child work to rebuild emotional trust
The goal is not to “fix” you.
It’s to help you feel more at home in yourself—and more connected in your life.
Ready to Explore This Further?
If you’re tired of telling yourself everything is “fine” while feeling empty inside, therapy can help you reconnect with yourself in a grounded, compassionate way.
I provide virtual therapy for adults in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
→ Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
No pressure • No obligation • Just a conversation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Childhood emotional neglect happens when a child’s emotional needs are consistently overlooked or unsupported. It’s not about abuse—it’s about the absence of validation, attunement, and emotional guidance.
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Many adults feel emotionally disconnected, overly self-critical, or unsure of their needs without knowing why. If you often minimize your experiences or feel guilty for needing support, emotional neglect may be part of your history.
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Yes. While it may not involve a single event, emotional neglect is a form of relational trauma. Its effects are cumulative and can impact emotional regulation, self-worth, and relationships.
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Yes. Emotional neglect is often invisible and easily minimized. Therapy focuses on how your experiences affected you—not whether they meet a certain threshold.
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime!