Divorce

Compassionate Divorce Counseling

A divorce can be an especially challenging experience for both couples and any children involved. Even the most civil of separations can be trying for a family as everyone adjusts to a new and changing dynamic. Family therapy can help. Wellington Counseling Group provides compassionate divorce counseling for families in Chicago to help parents and children navigate their new normal.

Understanding Divorce and the Effects on Children

Divorce affects between 40-50% of families across the United States. As common as it is, it’s still exceptionally difficult for children to cope with. A couple considering a divorce or separation, currently going through a divorce or separation, or who have already divorced and are now navigating the post-separation relationship, all can benefit from family therapy.

Equally as important are the children who have been affected by a divorce. There are many best practices to ease the burden of divorce for your children. However, even the most well-intentioned parents are likely to experience difficulties as their children adapt to their changing family.

Our professional recommendation is to seek family therapy for divorce as soon as the idea is on the table. During a pre-separation phase, a counselor can help you navigate your options while supporting you in making the right decision for you and your family. Once the decision has been made, family therapy can be a valuable resource for everyone involved.

If you and your partner have decided to separate and you’re noticing any of these signs from your children, you may want to consider consulting a professional.

• Acting younger than their age
• Separation anxiety
• Mood swings
• Acting out
• Sadness and depression
• Struggling with guilt
• Trouble sleeping or eating
• Personality changes
• Academic problems
• Relationship problems
• Irrational fears

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the ways stress might present in a child whose parents are going through a divorce, but they are some of the most common signs indicating your child is having trouble coping and may benefit from seeing a family therapist in Chicago.

Family Therapy for Divorce and Separation

Divorce counseling can be a valuable resource for the couple and their children across many stages in the process. You might consider counseling when:

• You’re contemplating a divorce
• You want guidance on informing your children about the coming changes
• A separation means a child will be transitioning between residences
• Changes in the visitation schedule may be warranted
• A child is displaying resistance about spending time with one parent
• You have concerns about parental alienation
• You and your partner are in high-conflict and are struggling with healthy boundaries and communication

Additionally, there is so much that happens within a family after a divorce. Starting to date again, remarriage, blending families, and new siblings can also be big adjustments that might be eased with the support of family therapy in Chicago.

What Divorce Counseling Looks Like at WCG

Divorce counseling at Wellington Counseling Group will look different for every family, depending on what stage of the divorce you are in. For most families, we’ll approach counseling in both group and individual settings. This allows our team of family therapists to better understand the family dynamics, as well as individual feelings and goals before, during, and after a separation.

We’ll work with your family to identify needs and then develop a course of action that supports all individuals through this trying time.