W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, has announced a publishing agreement with Matthias J. Barker, LMHC, a licensed psychotherapist and one of the most widely recognized voices on family estrangement. Barker is currently writing a book on the subject of family estrangement, set to be published in 2027. The deal was brokered by President and Co-Owner of Alive Literary, Bryan Norman and acquired by W Publishing Executive Editor, Lisa-Jo Baker.
Barker is a therapist, researcher, and founder of Estrangement.com, an online psychoeducation and support program that serves parents and adult children navigating family conflict and long-term disconnection. Through his clinical practice, community, and live workshops, he works directly with thousands of individuals seeking to understand and heal the pain of fractured family relationships.
With an audience of more than four million across social platforms, Barker has established himself as a trusted and authoritative resource for families in crisis. His teaching centers on helping individuals move out of cycles of hurt, withdrawal, and criticism toward healing, understanding, and, where healthy and possible, reconciliation.
“Family estrangement is becoming one of the defining relationship conversations of our time. Our growing awareness of boundaries, trauma, and emotional health has given people new language for old pain, but not necessarily a better way through it. In my work, I meet parents who are heartbroken and confused, and adult children who feel deeply hurt and have spent years trying to stay close before deciding to step away. This book is my attempt to understand the tensions on both sides of that silence, help families find peace with what is possible today, and build the skills and resilience needed for a healthier relationship, if and when reconnection becomes possible. I’m grateful to Bryan Norman at Alive Literary for championing this project from the start, and to Lisa-Jo Baker and the W Publishing team for believing this book could hold the complexity of estrangement with honesty and care,” said Barker.
“Matthias has built a community of millions who trust him because his guidance is grounded in serious clinical training and real, hands-on work with families in pain. We are honored to partner with him on this book. It has the power to help countless parents and adult children move from disconnection toward understanding, healing, and, where possible, reconciliation. That is exactly the kind of transformative work we are proud to publish,” said W Publishing VP and Publisher Susan Ligon.
“Matthias brings something remarkably rare to this space,” said Baker. “Deep empathy for both parents and adult children, grounded in clinical experience and sharpened by the insight of someone who has listened closely to thousands of families living this story. He helps us understand what happened, why it hurts, and what healing might still be possible.”
Barker’s clinical approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing on training in complex trauma and Internal Family Systems under Harvard-trained psychiatrist Dr. Frank Anderson, grief and loss under David Kessler, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy under Dr. Matthieu Villatte.
A sought-after lecturer and trainer for mental health professionals, Barker regularly presents at the Oxford Trauma Masters Conference in England and the Psychotherapy Networker Conference in Washington, D.C. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and three children.
Further details regarding the book’s title and publication date will be announced.
Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher has been providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, visit www.thomasnelson.com.
Contact: Allison Carter, Sr. Publicity Dir., W Publishing Group, allison.carter@harpercollins.com
