Navigating Change: Supporting Children Through Divorce and Transition
Divorce is not a single event; it is a season of profound change. For a child, it can feel like their world is being rewritten without their input. Whether your child is acting out, shutting down, or trying to be the "perfect helper" to keep everyone happy, they are simply trying to find their footing in a new reality.
What is Divorce through a Child's Eyes?
To a child, Divorce is the dismantling of their primary sense of safety. It brings up big questions about loyalty, stability, and the future. My role is to provide a neutral, creative space where they don’t have to choose sides or "fix" their parents' feelings. It’s a place where they can process the "messy" emotions—anger, confusion, relief, and sadness—without judgment.
My Philosophy: Protecting the Child’s Narrative
I don't believe in a "standard" way for kids to handle divorce. Some kids need to talk, some need to play, and some just need a place where they don't have to talk about the divorce at all. My approach centers on:
The Child as the Priority: In the midst of legal and logistical shifts, I ensure the child’s voice isn't lost. I help them reclaim their sense of agency when everything else feels out of their control.
Non-Linear Healing: There is no "timeline" for adjusting to a new family structure. I offer a flexible, affirming space that honors the ups and downs of transition, meeting your child exactly where they are each week.
A Box-Free Transition: Every family is different. Whether you are co-parenting, parallel parenting, or navigating a complex split, I tailor my tools to fit your child's specific lived experience, not a textbook definition of a "broken home."
Tools for the New Normal
We focus on building a "bridge" between the past and the future, helping your child feel secure in both.
Emotional Literacy: We work on identifying the "tangled feelings" that come with divorce. Helping a child name their feelings reduces the need for them to "act them out."
Stability in the Self: When external houses change, we work on building an internal sense of "home." We find the things that stay the same—their interests, their strengths, and their identity.
Communication Strategies: I help children find healthy ways to express their needs to both parents, fostering self-advocacy and reducing the feeling of being "caught in the middle."
Processing Grief: We acknowledge that divorce involves a loss of the "way things were," and we hold space for that grief with tenderness and honesty.
Supporting the Whole Family
Divorce is exhausting for parents, too. While my primary focus is the child, I offer guidance to parents on how to maintain a "buffer" of peace around their children. I help you navigate the tricky conversations and create consistent, affirming environments across two homes.
"A child’s future isn't defined by the fact of a divorce, but by the support and honesty they receive while walking through it."