Going through a divorce is a difficult process, not just for the parents, but for the entire family. While it may be tempting to try to go through the process on your own or only with the help of an attorney, consider adding family therapy to your divorce journey. It can help to provide a safe space for family members to express their feelings, work through conflict, and come up with an arrangement that works best for everyone. Family therapy can also give children of divorce a chance to voice any confusion or fear they may have about the changes going on in their lives.
Family therapy can help you and your family communicate better, work through conflict, and understand and cope with the changes that come with divorce. Here are three ways family therapy can help during a divorce:
Family Therapy Helps Improve Communication Among Family Members
One of the main goals of family therapy is to improve communication between family members. This is especially important during a divorce when there are many decisions to be made and emotions are running high. Family therapy can help you learn how to communicate with each other more effectively.
One skill many family therapists teach is "I" statements. This method encourages family members to take responsibility for their own emotions while avoiding blaming any other family member. For example, a child might say "I feel alone when my parents fight." This helps the child express the feeling without placing blame or causing additional stress or conflict. It can also increase empathy and decrease defensiveness.
Family Therapy Fosters Conflict Resolution Skills
Another goal of family therapy is to teach families how to resolve conflict in a healthy way. This is an important skill to have during a divorce when there are often many disagreements about things like child custody, visitation, and property division. Family therapy can help you learn how to resolve conflict without resorting to name-calling, threats, or violence which can help make the inherent conflict of divorce feel less stressful for all involved.
In a divorce that involves children, the parents' relationship isn't terminated, but altered. Growing conflict resolution skills can pay dividends for years to come as you navigate co-parenting from separate households and attempt to decipher what is best for your children. In this situation, it is best to consider how the family will continue to function after the divorce is final, versus focusing only on the "ending" that accompanies a divorce.
Family Therapy Helps Families Cope With Change
Divorce is a big change for everyone involved, and adjusting to the new normal can be hard. This is especially true for children who are too young to understand all the considerations that went into the decision to separate, and it can be helpful to go through the process of talking it out as a family in therapy.
Family therapy can help you, and your family members understand and cope with the changes that come with divorce. Therapists can provide guidance and support as you all navigate this new chapter in your lives.
Family Therapy In Louisville, Kentucky
If you are considering adding family therapy to your divorce journey, please reach out to Mindsight Behavioral Group in Middletown, just off Shelbyville Road and the Watterson Parkway. We offer a safe and supportive environment for families going through a divorce; and, our counselors are also able to testify in family court cases. Our therapists are experienced in working with families and can help you improve communication, resolve conflict, and cope with change. Please call us today at 606-401-2966 or go online to www.mindsightbehavioral.com.
Emily Hammons is a Kentucky native and loves finding new reasons to brag on her home state, including local restaurants, like 610 Magnolia or CC's Kitchen, or local attractions like Louisville Slugger Museum or the Urban Bourbon Trail. When she's not working, catch her around Middletown, soaking up the sights and sounds.
What's Next?
Ready to take your next step? Request an Appointment with a Mindsight counselor.
What online counseling options do I have? There are lots of great telehealth treatment options and lots of incredible therapists to choose from. Check it out!
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