In a startling revelation made eight years ago, Mackenzie Phillips opened up about her past involvement in an incestuous relationship with her father, leading to irreparable damage within her family dynamics.
What started as non-consensual encounters eventually evolved into a consensual and incestuous relationship that lasted for a decade.
In her latest publication, Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction, Phillips discusses the lingering resentment from certain family members, citing an instance where she was excluded from a family birthday celebration due to one relative's refusal to forgive her.
She expresses her understanding of their struggle to come to terms with her revelations and acknowledges their reluctance to confront the truth.
As a reformed drug addict now working as a counselor at the Breathe Life Healing Center, Phillips emphasizes the importance of seeking support from her own therapist and loved ones rather than dwelling on the rejection she faces from her family members.
She reflects on their reactions, attributing them to a common response of blaming the victim while absolving the perpetrator of accountability.
Coming to terms with the backlash following the release of her initial book in 2009, Phillips faced criticism and disbelief from various family members.
Some accused her of fabricating stories, while others expressed frustration over the public disclosure of a deeply buried family secret, especially since her deceased father could not offer his perspective on the matter.
During an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Phillips' half-sister Chynna shared her conflicted emotions about the situation, acknowledging Mackenzie's motives for sharing her story but lamenting the public scrutiny that ensued as they attempted to mend strained relationships without their father's presence to defend himself.
Bijou, another half-sister of Phillips, echoed similar sentiments in a statement, expressing sorrow over the family's private affairs being laid bare to the world and emphasizing the challenges they faced in reconciling their fractured bonds amidst external judgment.
Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction is set for release on Tuesday, Feb. 7, offering further insights into Phillips' journey of healing and resilience in the face of familial discord and public scrutiny.
