Counseling for High Net Worth Families

Counseling that Addresses the Uniquely Emotional Complexities of Succession, Wealth & Legacy

At The Family Recovery Institute (FRI) in San Rafael, CA, we are skilled at helping high net worth families and individuals navigate the emotionally-charged, psychological, and relational challenges that often accompany wealth transfer, succession planning, and legacy-building.

While significant wealth can offer opportunity and security, it also brings with it a unique set of stressors—especially when it comes to family dynamics, inheritance decisions, and the long-term stewardship of family values. These stressors can lead to deep divisions between generations, family estrangement, emotional estrangement, intense sibling rivalries, and feelings of worthlessness or entitlement.

At FRI, we create a confidential, compassionate space where families can work through these challenges unique to their position in life—before they undermine relationships, identity, and the patriarch’s or matriarch’s vision for the family’s future and legacy.

The Emotional Complexities of Wealth

Wealth doesn’t just shape lifestyles—it shapes identity, values, and relationships. Within families of significant means, conversations about succession, inheritance, and legacy often carry high emotional stakes. Unspoken expectations, unresolved resentment, or vague or even absent plans can quickly devolve into painful conflict or long-standing estrangement.

We work with families facing questions such as:

  • “Who will take over the family business or operate the foundation?”

  • “How should wealth be distributed across children or generations?”

  • “What values do we want our legacy to uphold?”

  • “How do we prepare the next generation emotionally, not just financially?”

  • “How do we reduce entitlement while preserving access and opportunity?”

These are not just legal or financial questions—they are deeply emotional, psychological and relational.

Common Family Conflicts We Address

Succession Disputes

When a business or philanthropic foundation is involved, succession planning can become a source of tension and division. One child may be more involved than another. Siblings may disagree about roles, vision, or leadership ability. If complex succession decisions are not communicated clearly and early, the result is often confusion, resentment, and potentially lasting rupture.

We help families explore not just who should lead, but how these decisions are made—and how leadership transitions can support connection rather than conflict.

Unequal or Perceived-Unfair Wealth Distribution

Inheritances often spark highly-charged emotional reactions. Even when thoughtfully structured, they can lead to feelings of favoritism, disappointment, or rejection. Children may compare their inheritances or responsibilities, especially in blended families. Parents may feel torn between fairness, need, or merit.

We support families in navigating these deeply sensitive conversations with empathy, clarity, and transparency—reducing misunderstanding and resentment.

Entitlement, Anxiety, and “Golden Child” Pressure

Wealth can create internal struggles in adult children, especially in those raised with high expectations or public visibility. Some may feel paralyzed by pressure to perform or “live up” to a family reputation and legacy. Others may struggle with motivation, purpose, or identity beyond family money.

Our highly trained clinicians work with emerging young adults to separate identity from inheritance and build a grounded, internally-driven sense of self worth.

Aligning Legacy and Purpose

Many families wish to pass on more than assets—they want to pass on values, principles, and a shared sense of purpose. But aligning multiple generations around legacy goals takes intention and open communication.

At FRI, we help families clarify the emotional and ethical dimensions of their legacy and ensure that all members of the family feel seen, included, and empowered in shaping it.

Who We Work With

Founders and Wealth Creators

As the originators or holders of family wealth, heads of wealthy families carry immense responsibility—not just financially, but emotionally and relationally. They face the pressure of preserving their legacy, ensuring smooth succession, and managing family expectations. They may struggle with relinquishing control, fear of losing influence, or anxiety about how their life’s work will be carried forward. We provide a confidential space to explore these emotions, work through identity shifts, and prepare for leadership transitions that honor both business and family health.

Spouses Navigating Family Business Transitions

Spouses—whether biological, step, or life partners—play a critical but often complex role in family wealth dynamics. They may feel caught between loyalty to their partner and the wider family, or unsure about their own voice in succession planning and inheritance matters. Changes like remarriage, blended families, or shifting familial roles can heighten tension and the potential for isolation. Our team supports spouses in finding their place within the “family system”, managing boundary-setting, and fostering healthy communications as businesses, foundations, and families evolve.

Adult Children and Young Heirs

Adult children and emerging heirs face unique developmental and emotional challenges within high net worth families. They often struggle to define their identity separate from family wealth and expectations. Issues such as entitlement, pressure to perform, or fear of disappointing the family can create anxiety, low self-esteem, or rebellion. Our individual and group therapy programs help young heirs develop authentic purpose, self-worth, and emotional resilience—preparing them to be confident, compassionate future stewards of the family’s legacy.

Family Office Leadership Teams

Family offices and their leadership teams are charged with managing complex wealth portfolios and family interests. But beyond finances, these teams often serve as intermediaries in family dynamics and conflicts. Navigating competing family agendas, emotional needs, and confidential information requires emotional intelligence and diplomacy. We offer coaching and therapy to family office leaders to strengthen their relational skills, set healthy boundaries, and foster trust and transparency with the families they serve.

Multigenerational Family Systems

Wealth and legacy ripple across multiple generations, each with their own values, wounds, and visions for the future. Intergenerational conflicts often surface around inheritance, role expectations, and differing views of family identity. Addressing these divides requires deep understanding of family systems and generational trauma. Through systemic family therapy, we facilitate conversations that bridge gaps, rebuild trust, and create shared meaning—empowering families to move forward with connection, clarity, and mutual respect.

Therapy for Young Adults in High Net Worth Families

Individual Therapy for Ages 18–35

Wealth can complicate the developmental journey of young adulthood. Some clients struggle with “golden child” pressure, imposter syndrome, or fear that they are not enough without family success. Others face anxiety, substance use, or identity confusion.

We offer individual therapy for young adults navigating:

  • Succession and role expectations

  • Lack of direction or purpose (“failure to launch”)

  • Self-esteem and “imposter syndrome”

  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional avoidance

  • Relationship dynamics affected by wealth

Our goal is to help each client form a grounded, self-directed identity—rooted not in family wealth, but in values, relationships, and authentic desire.

Group Therapy for Young Adults

Group therapy offers a powerful space for young adults to connect with peers navigating similar challenges. In group, clients gain perspective, reduce shame, and build relational skills in a space where wealth is not taboo—but also not the focus.

Common themes in group include:

  • Navigating trust funds and expectations

  • Conflict with parents or siblings

  • Isolation from peers or fear of judgment

  • Balancing privilege with responsibility

  • Finding purpose and meaning beyond assets

Our young adult groups are confidential, clinician-led, and designed to foster resilience, emotional maturity, and intergenerational understanding.

Start the Conversation

If your family is navigating issues around succession, inheritance, or legacy, you don’t have to go it alone. At The Family Recovery Institute, we offer specialized support for high net worth families, individuals, and next-generation leaders facing the emotional complexities of wealth.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Perlmutter and the experienced team of clinicians at FRI combine psychodynamics, family systems therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, peer support, and spiritual methods to help our clients achieve their goals. This is often long-term challenging work. We pride ourselves on our ability to help people with complex conditions and difficult circumstances.

Please call 415-322-0939 for a phone consultation or complete our form to schedule an appointment.