ACA The Problem: A Therapist Simplifies the Adult Children of Alcoholics Literature 

The Problem (adapted from the ACA Laundry List) is a core piece of literature in the Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA, ACoA) fellowship. It identifies and outlines core traits of the Adult Child who still suffers. These core traits serve as a starting basis for moving into The Solution. This is part of the foundation of ACA.
And while this is read several times in most meetings, many people brush over the main points and fail to gain the benefits of recovery. In this video we explore the important wisdom and direction outlined in The Problem.
I'm Ken Francis, M.S., California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of The Intimacy Gram and The Gratitude Snorkel and Other Bedtime Stories. With Covid-19 social distancing practices, I have had to stop teaching classes at my clinic. This video and others are my attempt to make my educational topics available to my patients. I have placed them on KZbin so others can benefit. Please like and subscribe to get more videos on recovery: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Mindfulness, good Mental Health and Self Care.
Please feel free to share so that others can benefit!
Website: www.TheIntimacyGram.com
#The_Intimacy_Gram #alcoholicsanonymous #narcoticsanonymous #adultchildrenofalcoholics #alanon #thelovingparentguidebook #recoveryquotes #speakermeeting

[@chrisrussell8442]

Wow. Thank you, these points are scarily accurate. To be living so unaware in their shadow is quite the burden, so thank you for promoting the solution!

[@thelifegrowthcoach]

Wow, Thank you for this series Ken. I've dipped my toes into ACA for 2 years but I get overwhelmed by the literature every time. I struggle with reading comprehension(thanks brain injury) and combine this with the dense material of ACA, it's really hard for me to understand the reading a lot of the time. Even with lots of therapy under my belt, the reading comprehension has made it hard for me to draw the parallels even though I meet much of the criteria. The text becomes like word soup! Not any more. Please keep it up, it's making the literature digestible and I can't thank you enough for your time to do this.

[@TheIntimacyGram]

I'm glad I was able to simplify things for you. It can be VERY overwhelming. I say "Less is more." Take it slowly and feel your growth!

[@user-pc9yb9vi5k]

Thanks for these videos! There isn't much for us ACAs on KZbin. Glad you're here.

[@TheIntimacyGram]

I am grateful to be of service!

[@ranc1977]

Yep, growing up I saw alcoholic home in my aunt's case where she was beaten up by her then husband, and I always believed that alcoholic home equals physical abuse. It is only in 2023 that I realized that social anxiety issues I struggle with, people pleasing and inability to shake of feeling responsible for other people's anger and mood swings stem from verbal abuse and emotional neglect from home, where there was alcoholism without violence. When we do not know what is wrong - we get symptomized and self pathologized, we continue with what is norm for us: self blame and guilt tripping in order to fix difficult people.

[@Sethetone]

Thank you for this and other videos. I am new to ACA. I’m about 4 months in. I attend and chair meetings have a sponsor and am doing step work. I feel I have no more time to lose. I am coming our of a bad depression and coming out of isolation. After trying other 12 step groups I feel like I am starting to get a grip on what’s been going on internally. Therapy up until this point hasn’t helped since my therapist did not know about ACA and were not trained in recovery issues at large. I do hope this work gets passed to more therapist so that those seeking help find it. I just let my last therapist go as a result of intolerance to not working the real solution. I was told to do a lot of things that I just was not ready or willing to do yet and if I could I would not have needed therapy. When I spoke up about this after a meeting I was shown where to turn in the BRB to find a therapist. That’s when I let the one I had go. I have been in therapy for years, a cult, and 12 step groups and finally I found ACA. I am grateful that I did at 67 years old, its not too late to heal and help others along the way. I am glad to be able to make some progress that feels right at this late stage of my development. I am hopeful that I can change and I want to with the help of community of people who are trying to be authentic like me, something I that I have longed for for a very long time. 😊

[@TheIntimacyGram]

Therapists do need to know about ACA. That time will come. Best wishes on your journey

[@lauriedonnelly7134]

Thank you for your a service. After 30+ years of therapy, ACA is where I belong. It’s only been 14 months, in meetings, working with a small group through Loving Parent Guidebook yet already feel so much more grounded and at peace. I really believe there should as many, or more, people in ACA, it truly is the groundwork’s for all issues - AA, NA, GA, OA, etc. and really for anyone who has unhealed wounds. Please keep doing what you are doing to spread the word of healing in ACA. ❤

[@TheIntimacyGram]

You are welcome! And I agree with you 100%! All roads of healing lead to ACA!

[@daniellelearnsstuff]

Great video!

[@StevenRandolph]

Hi Ken are you taking on new clients

[@TheIntimacyGram]

Steven, thank you for reaching out. I am not taking any private practice patients at this time. I have chosen to focus on my job at the hospital and maintaining a healthy life balance.