Divorce
Divorce can be one of the biggest stresses of adulthood. It leaves many people feeling alone, off balance and confused. It is normal to feel overwhelmed by the inevitable intensity of divorce.
Family members will experience many difficult feelings such as sadness, anger, confusion and disappointment. Parents and children often struggle with new schedules, new ideas around parenting and new ways to think about their identity and their future.
• Co-Parenting Counseling
Parents who are in the process of separating or divorcing can benefit from working with a co-parenting counselor to discuss scheduling issues and creating or updating a basic parenting plan. The co-parenting counselor can help you answer many difficult questions such as:
• “How can we support our new relationship as co-parents while we're getting divorced?"
• "How do we talk to one another and cooperate for the benefit of the children?"
• "What do we do when we disagree?"
• "How do we make the necessary decisions?"
• "How do we rebuild trust?"
• "How do we create boundaries and predictability?"
• “Now that the kids are older, should we adjust our parenting plan?"
Trust, communication and decision making are the central issues for parents post divorce/separation. To develop trust and support more effective communication, sessions are structured and agenda driven to practice a ‘business-like’ working relationship. Parents who have shared parenting values want to preserve this connection, while some parents need to create a way to discuss their differences and create new skills to become competent co-parents.
• Divorce Coaching
Divorce coaching is available for a parent to deal more successfully with their emotional reactions, challenges and stresses so that you can think clearly about important decisions. We focus on new communication skills with your co-parent, and help you create a thoughtful, specific parenting plan to submit with your Marital Settlement Agreement.
• Child Specialist - Collaborative or Mediation
A child specialist helps you craft a custody arrangement specifically based on your childrens ages and needs. This is a short term intervention that is especially needed with very young children, or where children have special needs, health concerns or educational requirements. Information from both parents as well as meeting your children gives me important information about your family situation.
You will receive an integrated view about your children - their developmental tasks, temperament as well as how the research on the effects of divorce, attachment and resilience can support strengths and reduce risk factors. With this information you can create and later review your timeshare/custody plan effectively.