When it all goes wrong - challenge to mother blame: forging connections between mother and daughter

This article outlines our clinical development as therapists working with m others and daughters showing a high level of psychological distress and sea rching for a way to remain connected. We explore the contemporary discourse s of mothering and mother blame to enrich our practice and enable women to acknowledge responsibility constructively and move from the paralysis of bl ame, shame and guilt. Within the context of these restraints we elaborate o ur model of working which aims to establish a therapeutic alliance with bot h mother and daughter and enables exploration of the complex levels of cont extual and emotional meaning which underpin their relationship. We aim to d evelop mutual empathy without sacrificing appropriate responsibility. We be lieve that systemic practice has inadequately addressed these issues in cli nical practice. We encourage greater transparency and self-reflexivity in o ur encounters.