low contact

Low contact is a strategy for managing relationships with harmful or unsafe family members when going fully no-contact isn't possible or desired. Instead of cutting off communication entirely, a person intentionally reduces how often, how long, and how deeply they engage—short visits instead of long stays, brief replies instead of in-depth conversations, information kept on a need-to-know basis.

Low contact is not about punishing the other person. It is a form of self-protection that allows survivors to preserve their energy, limit emotional damage, and stay in touch on their own terms. It often requires planning, clear internal limits, and support from therapy or trusted friends, especially when the family system resists the change.