Therapy for people with an addicted sibling in Philadelphia, PA
Start Healing with Therapy for Siblings
Therapy with me may be helpful if your sibling is becoming unrecognizable from the person you grew up with.
If you have a sibling struggling with addiction, you know the impact on you is extreme.
The pressure to distract your parents, the exhaustion of being the “joker” to lighten the mood…
The mixed feelings from the praise you’ve received for being the “good one,” the frustration of your sibling abandoning you, the hurt feelings that you’re apparently not interesting enough to keep their attention, and the rage of always having to cover for them can be exhausting.
Healing is Possible
Therapy for Siblings in Philadelphia Can Help.
In therapy with me, you will receive validation for the trauma you’ve experienced. And, I can help you create a path to emotionally exit the family maze- one where you can feel confident and grounded in your own perspective again (or maybe even for the first time.)
What is Therapy for Siblings?
It’s your turn to get clear on what you need, want, and how to communicate and set boundaries with your sibling and other loved ones.
Therapy for siblings is a safe space to explore the complicated emotions of growing up with a sibling who struggles with addiction or severe mental illness. It helps you process feelings of grief, anger, guilt, and betrayals that may have been minimized or ignored in your family. Therapy provides normalizing education about how family dynamics with an addicted sibling can shape your sense of self, future relationships, and patterns of tending to overcompensate for others, while also helping you reclaim your own needs and boundaries. You’ll learn how valid your feelings are and that you are not “too much” or “dramatic” for needing care, specialized attention, and healing.
What to Expect from Therapy for Siblings
Understanding your family role
n sessions, you may uncover ways you were forced to parent yourself, your sibling, or even your parents. Therapy can help you recognize patterns of over-functioning, perfectionism, or taking responsibility for things that aren’t yours to hold. Understanding the research behind family roles may allow you to see how the family’s focus on your addicted sibling affected your development and your self-worth (and how to move on with your life, through deep, thorough healing work).
Processing grief and betrayal
Whether you are still alive or not, and whether you are still connected to your family or sibling, or estranged, therapy can help you to grieve the loss of the childhood you should have had. You may feel betrayed or resentful, especially if your needs were ignored, while you were simultaneously (indirectly or directly) expected to compensate for your sibling’s struggles. Therapy provides a safe space to explore these emotions without judgment and learn how to finally release long-held guilt, self-blame, or survivor’s guilt.
Feeling comfortable with boundaries and self-compassion
A key part of therapy is learning to set (and more importantly, hold!) calm but firm boundaries with your sibling and your family, even when it can feel uncomfortable or guilt-inducing You can learn to practice self-compassion and strategies for protecting your emotional and physical energy- learning that you can love your sibling and family without sacrificing your own well-being. Over time, therapy can help you reclaim autonomy, confidence, and full emotional freedom.
Starting Therapy is easy
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Get in touch by filling out this quick form here.
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We’ll schedule a time to chat and make sure we’re a great fit.
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Start therapy and begin your journey to healing!
Hi, I’m Ayla Fleming, LCSW
You deserve respect and peace.
I believe the answers are already within you. I provide evidence-based research, practical skills, and warm support to help you make the changes you want in your life. I believe everyone has a unique story. I look forward to hearing yours and helping you make the best decisions for yourself.
★★★★★
“Where to start with Ayla?
There is truly no one better in the field. She is hard working, dedicated, & genuine. Ayla goes above & beyond & listens without judgement. I trust her wholeheartedly & she is extremely knowledgeable. I HIGHLY recommend Ayla.”
- Ashley Severino, LCSW
★★★★★
“Working with Ayla Fleming LLC was a privilege.
She has a natural ability to make people feel understood, valued, and supported. Her warmth and professionalism set her apart, and I’ve seen firsthand how deeply she cares about her clients and her team. I can’t recommend her practice highly enough—anyone who works with her will be in excellent hands!”
- Mike Teti, LCSW
★★★★★
“Ayla has a rare gift
for helping women reconnect with themselves after years of self-sacrifice, codependency, or chronic self-doubt. Through her thoughtful, strategic work, clients begin to set healthy boundaries, trust their inner voice, and create more authentic, fulfilling relationships. Her work doesn’t just offer support—it sparks real, lasting change. If you’re ready to heal from the past, reclaim your self-worth, and live more boldly and freely, Ayla is the kind of therapist who will walk beside you with both empathy and precision. Her boutique practice model means you get the kind of personalized, high-touch care that can truly shift the trajectory of your life—and it’s absolutely worth it.”
- Brianna Dawson, NP
Frequently asked questions
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Sessions are virtual through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. I also expect to have an office in Center City, Philadelphia within the next year.
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Individual Sessions:
50 min session- $250
Couples/Family Sessions:
50 min session- $300
Longer sessions or “intensives” (short term therapy for longer sessions) may be designed if you wish, per your schedule or request, and prorated accordingly.
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I do not accept insurance or communicate directly with insurance companies. However, I am happy to provide a receipt you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Some of my clients have out-of-network benefits so they are able to get reimbursed for sessions. If that’s important to you, please check with your insurance company directly. Reimbursement rates can vary a lot.
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Submit a form via my Contact page. I review each form myself. You can also text or call me directly at 267-217-3017 or email me at ayla@aylaflemingllc.com
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I work with women, men, couples, and families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and loss of self in their relationships or life roles.
If you want to learn healthy communication regardless of what other adults are doing, we will be a good fit. This includes family or relationship dysfunction, codependency, addiction, family drama, chronically choosing unhealthy partners, or the desire to grow after trauma.