Divorce Counseling for Kids—Child Therapy at TherapyLand
When a marriage ends, there are repercussions for the whole family. Children of any age can be angry, confused, and fearful about the future. And the younger the child, the less they are able to understand divorce. Parental divorce can prove to be a major turning point. If handled well, a child can move on with minimal emotional and psychological consequences. But, if the child attempts to manage all of their emotions and the changes that come with his or her parents’ divorce alone, they might suffer.
I strongly believe children can thrive through divorce. Children need parents who love them. Children need to know they are safe. Children need stability and sometimes that’s much easier to achieve outside a marriage than in a broken one. –Lisa Hayes
Thriveworks counselors can help a child understand that the divorce is not their fault, and that their parents still love and care for them. Many counseling centers offer therapy for children, but not all practices have specialists in this area. Thriveworks child therapists and counselors have extensive training in working with children. They are able to connect with children through play therapy and other therapeutic tools in TherapyLand, specifically designed for communicating well with young individuals.
How Can Divorce Therapy Help My Child?
Oftentimes, children will eventually adjust to the separation of their parents. However, this comes only after the child has addressed any feelings surrounding their parents’ divorce, which often takes some tough conversations. Divorce therapy can help them to open up about and work through these feelings. Often, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used, as it focuses on how our thoughts control our feelings and therefore our behaviors. Your child’s therapist will help them understand this concept, which will in turn help your child feel better about things that are out of their control.
Now, while divorce therapy for your child might prove necessary and beneficial, you can also take some action to reduce your child’s anxiety and other negative feelings surround your separation. For example:
- Respect that your child might not be happy about this change and encourage them to talk to you about how they do feel about it.
- Keep in mind that your child might need to grieve the loss of his parents’ relationship. You can also remind them that you will both still be very present in their life.
- Reassure your child that you both love them and always will; additionally, you’re both there to support them throughout their life! Even if you don’t live under the same room anymore.
- Try to maintain structure and routine. Your child’s current routines might need some tweaking, but it’s best if you keep them as close to their old routines as possible to start with. Think: their bedtime routine, their school routine, etc.
- Foster a sense of safety. Going back to the prior tip, it’s helpful to surround them with things they already know well and are used to.
Don’t worry. You don’t have to help your child through this alone. The child therapists at Thriveworks are here to help you, too.
TherapyLand: Schedule Divorce Counseling for your Child at Thriveworks
Divorce is painful, but all too common. We can help your family, and specifically your children, identify their emotions, process their feelings, and have hope for the future. Studies show that parental divorce is more difficult for children depending on several different factors, such as the level of parental conflict, amount of social support, ability of the child to cope with stress, amount of information given to the child, and how parents adjust to the relationship ending. We understand the ways in which children can be helped through this process, and we are ready to partner with you and your family.
Unlike most therapy and counseling offices, we do not operate with a waiting list. We have appointments available for new clients within 24 hours in most cases. We understand that you have so much to juggle during this time of transition, and helping your child is a priority. We are ready to partner with you in making a new, healthy normal for your family.
Call us today. It would be our honor to walk with you on this journey.
