Divorce Adjustment – support, information, skill building:  support through the loss and transition, development of coping skills and healthy lifestyle choices to manage emotion so they do not contaminate decision-making, negotiations and/or co-parenting. Clarify core values and goals. Provide information regarding the divorce process, child development and divorce adjustment and support informed decision-making. Also begin the process of looking ahead toward building a new life for yourself with strength and clarity.

Co-Parenting Consultation: may involve an individual parent or both parents.  Research studies on the effects of divorce on children indicate that high conflict between parents is the most damaging to children, whether open argumentative conflict or silent avoidant/distant conflict.(Amato, 1993; Kelly, 2000; Emery, 2004)  The goal is to develop respectful and effective communication skills and decision making strategies that minimize conflict. Parents learn skills to managing their feelings so that they do not interfere with an effective parenting relationship. Reducing conflict reduces stress for you and your children. You will develop a new parenting “business relationship” , with new structures and boundaries, that allows you to coordinate parenting across two households that work together, prioritizing your children’s needs and best interests.

Preparation for Negotiation/Conflict Management: if you would like help navigating the many choices and decisions involved in the divorce settlement process, whether negotiating directly with your spouse or in mediation or with an attorney, this consultation provides clarification of values and goals, understanding of issues, information gathering, and evaluation of options. Includes learning ways to manage feelings that may interfere with clear thinking and decision making as well as communication and negotiation skills. I am not an attorney and no legal guidance will be provided.