Online, Serving Lafayette and All of California
Divorce Therapy
How a Divorce Therapist
Can Support You Through Change
Divorce can be a challenging experience for everyone in the family and, while your child or teen may appear to be handling it well on the surface, the emotional toll can often linger beneath their resilience.
There are so many critical stages of child and teen development that even when your child seems “fine,” they may be struggling with feelings of confusion, sadness, or frustration they don’t know how to express.
Divorce therapy for children or teenagers provides a safe space for them to process their emotions, build healthy coping skills, and ensure they don’t just survive the transition—but thrive beyond it. Let us help your child turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and emotional well-being.
Having worked for 25 years with children and families in mental health clinics and schools ,as well as over four years at Kids Turn for divorcing and separating families, Julie Weigel, LMFT, is the experienced therapist you need to guarantee that your child navigates your parental separation or divorce and its aftermath with resilience and healthy communication.
My goal is to empower your family to thrive during and after this life-changing experience, regardless of whether your child is showing immediate signs of distress.
Divorce is More Than a
Legal Process
It is an emotional and relational transition that impacts the well-being of everyone involved, especially children.
While divorce can be challenging,
research consistently shows that
thoughtful, supportive interventions
such as child and parenting therapy
can improve outcomes
for children and families.
Why Child and Parenting Therapy Matters After Divorce
Divorce marks a significant shift in a family’s structure and dynamics, and children are often the most vulnerable to these changes.
Divorce therapy is not just about addressing immediate challenges—it’s about laying the groundwork for lifelong emotional health and strong family relationships.
Even in amicable divorces, children may experience feelings of sadness, confusion, worry, or anger as they adjust to new realities like living in two homes or spending less time with one parent.
While not all children develop mental health problems after a divorce, research highlights the importance of therapy in promoting long-term well-being.
Studies have shown that when parents engage in therapy to learn healthy co-parenting strategies and when children receive emotional support, the following outcomes are more likely:
The Role of Parenting Therapy After Divorce
The Role of Parenting Therapy After Divorce
Parenting doesn’t end with divorce, but it often becomes more complex. Co-parenting requires a new level of collaboration, and parents may struggle to shield their children from conflict while managing their own emotions. Parenting therapy provides a space for divorced or separating parents to learn tools and strategies that benefit their children’s emotional and psychological development.
Key Benefits of Parenting Therapy:
▶ Minimizing Parental Conflict: High levels of conflict between parents are one of the strongest predictors of poor outcomes for children after divorce. Therapy helps parents develop effective communication strategies, resolve disagreements constructively, and create consistent rules and routines across households.
▶ Creating a Secure Environment: Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, loved, and supported. Parenting therapy helps parents understand how to reassure children during the transition, providing emotional stability while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
▶ Understanding Children’s Needs: Divorce can affect children differently depending on their age, temperament, and coping style. Parenting therapy equips parents with insights into their child’s developmental needs and emotional responses, enabling them to offer tailored support.
▶Building a Co-Parenting Partnership: Collaborative co-parenting is one of the most important factors in a child’s post-divorce adjustment. Therapy helps parents move past emotional wounds and focus on shared goals for their children’s well-being.
You don’t have to tackle this alone.
Call for a free phone consultation.
Divorce Therapy
Child Therapy After Divorce: Building Resilience
Even when a child appears to be “doing fine,” therapy can serve as a proactive measure to ensure they develop the emotional resilience needed for future challenges.
While many children do not develop mental health problems after their parents’ divorce, they can still benefit greatly from therapy. Child therapy provides a safe, supportive environment for kids to process their emotions, understand their parents’ separation, and learn healthy coping skills. Research shows that children who have access to therapeutic support are more likely to develop resilience and adapt positively to post-divorce changes.
How Child Therapy Helps:
Emotional Expression:
Therapy gives children a space to voice their feelings—whether it’s sadness, anger, or confusion—without fear of judgment or upsetting their parents.
Reducing Self-Blame:
Children often internalize divorce, believing it is their fault. Therapists help children understand that divorce is a decision between adults and not something they caused or could have controlled.
Coping Skills:
Therapy teaches children tools to manage stress, anxiety, or frustration, which can arise during transitions like custody changes or blending families.
Strengthening Parent-Child Communication:
Therapists can facilitate conversations between children and parents, helping both parties express themselves clearly and compassionately.
Research Supporting Therapy Post-Divorce
Numerous studies underscore the importance of child and parenting therapy after divorce. For example:
A 2020 review in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children whose parents participated in co-parenting therapy reported fewer behavioral problems and higher levels of emotional security.
Research published in Pediatrics shows that when children attend therapy during or after divorce, they are less likely to develop anxiety or depression later in life, even if they initially showed no signs of distress.
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry emphasizes that early intervention—providing kids with tools to process emotions and manage change—can significantly improve long-term outcomes for children adjusting to divorce.
These findings highlight the critical role therapy plays in supporting children’s emotional development and reducing the risk of negative outcomes
Committed to Supporting Families
Julie Weigel, LMFT is dedicated to helping families navigate divorce with empathy, education, and evidence-based strategies. I work with parents and children to reduce conflict, foster resilience, and create healthier relationships as they move forward. Whether you’re seeking guidance to improve co-parenting, support your child’s emotional health, or build a stronger family foundation,
I am here to help.
Get Started Today
Divorce is a challenging time, but with the right support, it can also be an opportunity for growth and healing. Contact [Your Practice Name] today to learn more about our child and parenting therapy services. Together, we can create a brighter future for your family.