The Role Of Therapy In Helping Children Cope With Divorce

Children often lack the emotional vocabulary and coping mechanisms to navigate the profound changes divorce brings. While adults may be able to say that they feel sad or angry or anxious, children often have trouble articulating their feelings.

Instead of expressing themselves verbally, parents often see children act out. It's not uncommon for children going through divorce to quarrel more often with their siblings, to revert to behaviors they had when they were younger (like thumb sucking or bed wetting) or to be much more clingy than usual.

As a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child through the divorce process. Enlisting the help of a therapist is one of them. A therapist who has experience treating children can help your child navigate the divorce. The therapist serves as a professional who children can talk to and process their feelings with.

Therapy Creates a Safe Space for Self Expression

In a divorce, kids often feel that they have to be strong for their parents. They worry that sharing their own emotions will make things harder on their parents. For this reason, they may hold back their true feelings. In doing so, they miss out on the opportunity to process them in a healthy way.

Especially in a divorce, kids may also worry that their parents will stop loving them. They may hide feelings of sadness and anger and only share their more "agreeable" emotions.

Hiring a therapist gives your child a safe space to share all of their feelings with a professional. They can talk about all the anger and sadness they may be experiencing without the worry that comes with sharing it with a parent. In this safe space, they'll be sharing it with a trained professional who can help them cope, grow and find insights.

Therapy Helps Promote Stability for Kids During a Divorce

Children thrive in environments that provide a sense of control and stability. A therapist can work with your child to identify aspects of their lives that they can control. This fosters a sense of empowerment, which can contribute to a more positive outlook on the future. It can also help minimize the negative impact of divorce on your child's overall well-being.

Going Through a Divorce With Kids? Seek Guidance.

For kids as well as adults, divorce can be an emotional process. Seeking guidance from the experienced lawyers at the Schneider Law Firm in Arlington, Texas, is essential to protecting your interests. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 817-799-7125 or send us a message.