10/02/2025
Family is where many of our stories begin. It’s where we first learn about love, safety, conflict, and connection. But it’s also where we often take on roles (sometimes without even realizing it) that shape how we show up in the world.
In family systems work, there are 8 common roles that can emerge:
✨ The Troublemaker/ Black Sheep
✨ The Lost Child
✨ The Peacemaker
✨ The Clown
✨ The Caretaker/Enabler
✨ The Golden Child
✨ The Doer
✨ The Martyr
These roles are not who you are, but rather adaptive patterns you may have taken on to keep your family functioning or to cope with stress, trauma, or unspoken expectations. Over time, they can become ingrained and carry into adulthood, impacting your relationships, career, and sense of self.
Here’s the good news: You are not defined by your role. Awareness is the first step toward healing. By naming and understanding these patterns, you can begin to release what no longer serves you, reclaim your authentic identity, and rewrite the story of how you connect with yourself and others.
As you swipe through this carousel, take a moment to reflect:
💭 Which role(s) feel familiar?
💭 How might they have helped you survive or feel safe?
💭 What would it look like to step outside of that role and simply be you?
At Onsite, we believe that while our past shapes us, it doesn’t have to define us. Healing family dynamics opens the door to deeper connection, greater freedom, and the chance to live from your truest self.
You are more than a role. You are worthy, whole, and capable of creating a new story.
