Children and Divorce

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Play therapy is the strategic use of toys and play to assist children in expressing themselves about what’s troubling them. It is a useful form of therapy with preschoolers and children in primary school (ages 3 to 10), as they often lack the verbal language to effectively express their feelings. Play therapy may also provide insight and resolution of inner conflicts or troubled thinking in a child. Through play therapy a child may learn to communicate with others to better express themselves, and develop problem-solving skills. It is a highly effective form of therapy for children whose parents are separating.

Children often have strong emotional reactions to their parents' separation or divorce. When this happens, it could be useful for the child to get counseling. Counseling with children differs greatly from counseling with adults. Often times, children are unable to identify or explain the reason for their fears, sadness, or disruptive behavior. Meeting children individually offers them the opportunity to share their difficulties and problems with a neutral adult in a safe environment, where they can explore alternative coping mechanisms.

Supervised access is a service provided to a parent or caregiver who must be accompanied while they are having a visit with a child or children to ensure their safety. Often it is in the context of allegations of abuse, substance abuse, violence, or when a parent or caregiver has been absent from a child’s life for an extended period of time. Sometimes it’s about inappropriate content or language used in front of the child or children. Supervised access is generally utilized on a short-term basis while awaiting a Court Order for access or being granted unsupervised access by a Judge.

Supervised exchange services at drop off and pick up times can also be provided.