Importance of Child Therapy During Divorce
Frequently we see that our clients’ children struggle with emotions when trying to process their parents’ divorce. This struggle may show up as emotional withdrawal, unwanted behavior or a regression in previously mastered skills.
Children may struggle with the thought that their living arrangement is changing, the need to attend a new school, the thought that they have to “pick” a side or just the uncertainty of everything. When these red flags appear, it’s important for parents to consider child therapy during and perhaps after the divorce process. Parents can also consider using a child specialist as part of the divorce process to make sure the children’s concerns are being “heard” and that any issues the children are having can be taken into consideration and planned for in their agreement.
Here are a few thoughts we share with our clients about the benefits of child therapy…
- Can often find a way to help children take off their “emotional raincoats.”
- It offers a safe and non-judgmental space in which a child can decompress and feel heard by an adult
- By talking to someone they don’t know all that well, children may open up more, allowing the therapist to understand the genuine emotions and what is fueling them
- Teach parents healthy co-parenting skills
- Foster reconnections between child and parent
- Set healthy rules in the relationship – not using the children as pawns against one another
- Create care routines that will give a child stability throughout the divorce process
- Help the child understand they are not at fault
When you choose the collaborative divorce method, all of your family members are paired with mental health specialists experienced in family law and the divorce process. They understand what children experience throughout the separation process.
The Collaborative Practice of San Diego is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary referral network of independent professionals of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues in regard to co-parenting, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial assets of the family.
Contact us today to learn how to keep your family unit intact long after your divorce has been finalized.
Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal/financial/tax/or medical advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, medical or tax professional to determine what will work best for your situation.
