My family doesn’t talk
Family & Parenting
In crisis? Call or text 988 (press 2 for Spanish), or text HOME to 741741. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
Some families fight. Others go quiet. Nobody says the hard thing, and everybody feels it.
Maybe your teenager has shut the door. Maybe you and your ex can’t agree on anything. Maybe you’re an adult who still plays the same role you did at ten.
Families work like systems. When one person changes, everyone feels it. That’s why problems can stick for years, and why one change can start to shift everything.
This part of the guide covers parents and teens, family silence, co-parenting, and the roles we learn growing up.
Is this you?
- There are topics your family never talks about.
- Your teenager barely speaks to you.
- You and your co-parent can’t talk without fighting.
- You’re still the fixer, the peacemaker, or the black sheep.
- Holidays and visits leave you drained for days.
- You love your family and dread being around them.
Start here
When Your Teenager Won’t Talk to You →
What the silence may mean, and how to reach them.
How family silence gets passed down.
Lámpara en la calle, oscuridad en la casa →
Para familias latinas: lo que se calla en casa.
Becoming Who Your Family Needed →
When the role you played growing up still runs your life.
Raising kids together when you’re no longer together.
How family sessions with me work.
See also: How Childhood Shows Up in Your Relationships · Hyper-Independence · Invisible Labor
I treat this. I see adults 18 and over, so with teens I work with the parents. For a child or teen’s own therapy, start with your pediatrician.
How therapy works with me
My approach is systemic. I look at the whole family pattern, not just the person who seems to be the problem.
I pay close attention to the words families use. “That’s just how we are.” “Don’t bring that up.” “Your father would never.” Those sentences show the family’s rules.
Adult family members, partners and co-parents can join sessions together, or you can start alone. Sessions are by video, in English, Spanish or both.
If someone at home is hurting, threatening or controlling you, safety comes first. Call 911 in an emergency, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, free and 24/7.
Ready to say the thing nobody says?
Use your insurance · see your cost before you book
¿Prefiere español? Agende una sesión en español →
Frequently asked questions
Does the whole family have to come?
No. One person changing can shift the whole system. Others can join later if it helps.
Do you see teenagers?
No. I see adults 18 and over. I can work with you as a parent on how to reach your teen.
Can my partner or co-parent come?
Yes. Couples and co-parenting sessions are part of my work. Coverage depends on your plan.
Do you do custody evaluations?
No. I don’t do custody evaluations.
Start with what nobody says out loud
You don’t need everyone on board.
You can start with one sentence:
“My family doesn’t talk about anything real.”
We can start there.
In-network with Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare and more through Headway · 53-minute sessions
Telehealth anywhere in Florida · English / Español
In crisis? Call or text 988.
Eduardo Florez, LMHC
Eduardo Florez, LMHC, has worked across forensic, institutional and private practice settings. He is the founder and clinical director of ShieldMee, a Florida nonprofit telehealth practice, and works bilingually with couples in crisis and clients for whom therapy hasn’t worked before.
Related hubs: Couples & Relationships · Trauma & PTSD · Burnout · All topics