Managing Divorce and Separation
Separation and divorce from a significant other brings emotional, mental and physical challenges to individuals and families. Time will be needed to process the change, grieve the loss of the relationship and the life dreams that may have been created, before new ways of living and being can be developed. During this time, emotions can be powerful and overwhelming, especially for children and teenagers who have not yet developed the cognitive skills for managing emotions. Sometimes, identifying coping skills and being supported in integrating self-care and support for family members can prove significant in facilitating resilience and management, and prevent mental health and behaviour problems from developing or escalating:
It can easily happen that powerful emotions are projected onto each other, leading to escalating conflict and dispute. Equally so, it can be easy to become a victim of the situation and feeling helpless and powerless. It doesn’t have to be this way:
Support for Adolescents:
The teenage years are challenging enough with raging hormones, powerful emotions, and a strong need for acceptance. When change happens in the family, this can add to feelings of insecurity and worry. Some children feel caught in the middle, filled with worry and guilt about ‘taking sides’. Other feel shocked and helpless, and there are those who feel full of anger but with no healthy means for expression. This situation can present as a risk factor for the development of anxiety, depression and behaviour problems. Of course, some children manage well, and are not affected, but for those who are, being offered empowering support, coping skills and a place to speak confidentially about concerns they have can help to cultivate resilience and prevent further problems arising:
- Learn key coping skills for adult and adolescent psychological wellbeing
- Be supported in processing grief and loss in a healthy way
- Reflect on the lessons to be learnt and changes you wish to make
- Prepare to create new ways of living and being
It can easily happen that powerful emotions are projected onto each other, leading to escalating conflict and dispute. Equally so, it can be easy to become a victim of the situation and feeling helpless and powerless. It doesn’t have to be this way:
- Be empowered to manage powerful emotions
- Learn strategies for peaceful communication with challenging issues
- Be supported to build yourself up to manage challenging situations and change.
Support for Adolescents:
The teenage years are challenging enough with raging hormones, powerful emotions, and a strong need for acceptance. When change happens in the family, this can add to feelings of insecurity and worry. Some children feel caught in the middle, filled with worry and guilt about ‘taking sides’. Other feel shocked and helpless, and there are those who feel full of anger but with no healthy means for expression. This situation can present as a risk factor for the development of anxiety, depression and behaviour problems. Of course, some children manage well, and are not affected, but for those who are, being offered empowering support, coping skills and a place to speak confidentially about concerns they have can help to cultivate resilience and prevent further problems arising:
- Build self esteem
- Manage emotions
- Be supported through change
- Learn keys to adapt to a new situation
- Identify coping skills