The Pros and Cons of Staying Involved With an Ex-Spouse
One of the most difficult aspects of a marital breakup is communicating with a former spouse. In the immediate aftermath of a separation, feelings are raw, and emotions can be overwhelming. Regardless of how long couples have been married, the trauma of a separation can cause a significant emotional wound. When individuals are feeling abandoned, hurt, or in pain, the first person they want to turn to for comfort is their spouse. Sadly, this is usually the same person that is the source of the pain. This conundrum can cause some... Read More
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In my work with couples who are learning how to parent their children together after ending their marriage/relationship, we spend a good deal of time talking about how the ending of their relationship affects their children, what the internal experience of a child could be, and how they manage their parents’ conflict.
There are no descriptions that accurately describe what this is like for every child. We often see differences even between two children from the same family. We can discuss some of the possible scenarios to give you a flavor of what your children might be experiencing.
It... 
Expectant couples experience emotional highs and lows. The anticipation of becoming parents can cause excitement and joy. It can also lead people to worry about their new responsibilities. Financial stress and emotional strain can create conflict in marriages as couples face the challenge of entering into parenthood. After the birth of the child, new parents experience an overwhelming surge of emotions. The thrill of finally meeting the child, combined with the anxiety of caring for the newborn, lack of sleep, and tattered nerves, can cause tension between parents. Marriage and relationship education... 
Risk factors that contribute to suicide attempts and suicide completion cover a broad range of domains. Substantial research has shown that individuals who have psychological problems are at increased risk for 
When parents use children as pawns in their 
Going through a divorce is an emotionally exhausting experience. Individuals experience a diverse range of feelings before, during, and long after the process. Guilt is one of the emotions that divorcing couples struggle with. Research has shown that individuals who feel guilty have a difficult time letting go of their former spouse and often have problems developing new 
One of the most difficult times in our lives is when we choose or are faced with changing some of the most basic aspects of how we live. Where we live, who we live with, what our children experience, how much financial security we have, or what kind of work we do are all potentially affected when we end a relationship.
One of the decisions partners are faced with if that time arrives is what model of divorce to choose. You can do it yourself, otherwise known as a kitchen table divorce, go to a mediator, hire a court-based attorney, or you can decide to have a collaborative divorce. In a collaborative... 
Couples seek therapy to achieve better 
A death, divorce, illness, sudden unemployment, or any major loss, creates chaos in your life. This emotional fracturing, as well as the practical aftershocks of dealing with estates, lawyers, housing, finances, doctors, etc., often yields intense feelings that can be overwhelming.
When you think you simply can’t assimilate another thing, it’s crucial to just stop. Even if you have never meditated, simply sitting or lying down and paying attention to your breath will calm your nervous system and give you the literal breather you need.
Sometimes, it’s too hard to stay still, so take... 
The decision has been made. You and your spouse are divorcing. There are a multitude of decisions to be made, and it is often difficult to know where to begin. You will be making decisions regarding when the children are with you and when they are with your spouse, whether to keep the family home and, if so, who keeps it. There will also be a host of other decisions you did not realize you made automatically on a daily basis that will now become conscious decisions because living in two different homes requires more coordination. While you are addressing these decisions and working to manage your... 
Divorce may be one of the worst moments in your life, and it will impact everything happening in yours and your children's lives. Many children will experience the pain, frustration, stress, and loss that divorce brings to their lives. While kids are very resilient, they need help adjusting to a new life when their parents are separated. There are many things that parents can do to help their children with the divorce process. Often, how parents deal during the divorce impacts how children handle their loss.
When you break the news of the divorce or separation, keep in mind how you approach... 
You're getting a divorce. In addition to the friends you brought into the relationship, you and your ex have made many friends together through your children's activities, your jobs and the places you have volunteered. You both rely on their friendships to help with childcare and have established a social circle that meets both your needs. In addition, you have been talking to these friends about the difficulties you have been having in your marriage and want to be able to keep this support system. It has been so important for you to have close friends to talk to about all the things that have... 
Just as death is ultimately always the result of a heart that stops beating, the death of a 
