45. Dueling Parents - Managing High Conflict Divorce in Play Therapy
Mar 20, 2019
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Delve into the complexities of high-conflict divorce from a child's perspective. Explore how play therapy prioritizes healing and emotional support, shifting the focus away from parental disputes. Learn about the unique challenges therapists face when navigating these situations and the importance of maintaining clear boundaries. Discover techniques for effective communication with parents to foster a child's emotional resilience during turbulent times.
Maintaining neutrality and avoiding sides in therapy sessions is crucial for protecting the child's emotional well-being during high-conflict divorces.
Therapists must establish clear boundaries from the outset to effectively manage therapy and prioritize the child's healing process.
Deep dives
Understanding Children's Unique Experiences in Divorce
Children's experiences of divorce can vary significantly, with some feeling relief while others may feel confusion and pain. It's crucial to recognize that not all children perceive divorce the same way, and their perspectives can be influenced by the dynamics of their parents' relationship. As therapists, maintaining open-ended curiosity and allowing children to express their feelings is essential, instead of making assumptions about their emotional states. This individualized approach helps therapists better support children's processing of their experiences during these transitions.
The Importance of Neutrality in Therapy
Therapists often find themselves caught between conflicting narratives from each parent in high conflict divorce scenarios. Remaining neutral is vital, as adopting any parent's point of view can exacerbate the child's existing emotional turmoil. Establishing boundaries early on, including how sessions are conducted and communicated, can help prevent therapists from being manipulated by either parent. By focusing solely on the child’s experiences and avoiding taking sides, therapists create a safe space that enables healing and processing.
Setting Clear Boundaries for Effective Therapy
Boundaries are essential for managing therapy effectively in high conflict divorce situations, particularly regarding communication and financial agreements. Therapists need to clarify upfront how sessions will be conducted and establish protocols for discussions about payment and parental involvement. Protecting the therapeutic environment from parental disputes by focusing communication on the child's needs reinforces a supportive atmosphere for healing. By remaining firm on boundaries, therapists model structure and stability, which can significantly benefit the child navigating a challenging family dynamic.
"Play therapy is about the child. It's not about navigating the conflict between feuding parents." - Lisa Dion
Divorce is often painted as a traumatizing experience, but what it looks like through the perspective of a child varies greatly. Working with high-conflict divorce requires recognizing this deviation. It also requires a neutrality and a focus on what matters most: healing the child.
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