Definition
Loyalty binds are the invisible allegiances that require a person to remain loyal to a family expectation, story, or role at the cost of their own development. They are one of the most powerful and least visible forces in family life.
Why it matters
Naming loyalty binds allows adults to grieve them, honor them, and, when appropriate, gently update them.
The Science
Boszormenyi-Nagy’s contextual therapy developed loyalty as one of the primary invisible ledgers of family life.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats loyalty binds as legitimate emotional realities — not superstitions to be dismissed.
Clinical Implications
Growth that betrays a family loyalty often triggers grief, guilt, and system pushback that must be respected and worked through.
Practical Application
You can honor where you came from without staying stuck in what wounded you.
References
- 1.Boszormenyi-Nagy I, Krasner BR. Between Give and Take: A Clinical Guide to Contextual Therapy. Brunner/Mazel; 1986.