What is Mother Hunger®?

Psychotherapist and author Kelly McDaniel has worked with women who struggle with feelings of low self-worth, issues with disordered eating, and addictive or toxic relationships for years. Women with these issues may find themselves feeling trapped in cycles of harmful behaviors and relationships.

Mother Hunger® describes the particular grief many women experience that has nothing to do with death but rather a longing for the love of a mother, even if theirs was still alive. Human beings need connection with other safe human beings in order to survive and we crave belonging in order to believe in our innate self worth.

Many of us find ourselves stuck in unhealthy habits simply because we don’t see a better way. Working through our Mother Hunger®, we can break the cycle of often destructive behavior and find new ways to provide the nurturing, protection, and guidance that was lacking in our childhood. 

Recognizing Mother Hunger® as an attachment injury allows for the  destigmatization and shame that often comes with being under-mothered and misdiagnosed. 

The constant search for mother love can be a lifelong emotional burden, but healing begins with knowing and naming what we are missing. McDaniel is the first clinician to identify and name Mother Hunger®, which demystifies the search for love and provides the compass that each woman needs to end the struggle with achy, lonely emptiness, and come home to herself.