Divorce can have a deeply profound emotional impact on children, no matter their age or the circumstances surrounding the divorce. Children have an innate need to feel secure, especially when it comes to the relationships between their parents. When a divorce occurs, it can be an emotionally overwhelming experience for children and can result in feelings of insecurity, sadness, and confusion. When parents are going through a divorce, it is important for them to be mindful of how their children are feeling. It is essential that parents focus on the emotional needs of their children and provide them with a safe and secure environment to express their emotions. Arranging for your child to meet with a therapist can provide a safe and secure setting for them to work through their difficult feelings and confusion. Parents should also be willing to listen to their children and provide them with reassurance and support. When children experience their parents going through a divorce, they often feel as though they are somehow responsible for the divorce. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. It is important for parents to make sure that their children know that the divorce is not their fault and that they are not responsible for the situation. Reassuring children that they are not to blame for the divorce can help alleviate feelings of guilt and shame. Children may also experience feelings of anxiety and fear when their parents go through a divorce. This is because their sense of security and stability has been disrupted. In order to ease these feelings, it is important for children to feel as though their parents are still there for them and that the divorce does not mean that their parents will no longer love them. Divorce can also lead to feelings of sadness and loneliness in children. They may feel overwhelmed with emotions and have difficulty expressing them. It is important for children to feel comfortable talking to their parents about the divorce and expressing their feelings. Sometimes a child may struggle to share their feelings with a parent for fear of making the parent feel bad. This is when a therapist can be particularly helpful as a “neutral” safe person outside of the situation. No matter how difficult the situation may be, it is important for parents to remember that the emotional impact of divorce on children is real and should not be taken lightly. Children rely on their parents to provide them with a safe and secure environment, and it is essential that parents do their best to provide that for their children during this difficult time. If you or your loved ones are facing the challenges of divorce and separation, please reach out to us at LifeCare Centres. We are here to help.
Scott Armstrong
Scott has been a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice since 1993. He completed his undergraduate studies in psychology and his master’s level training in Marriage and Family therapy. As the Executive Director of LifeCare Centres since 2012, Scott provides vision, leadership and direction to the organization. Scott is passionate about developing his team at LifeCare to realize and reach their full potential. His desire is to equip them to reach out into our surrounding communities with counselling and psychological services of the highest quality and standard.
Scott brings to his leadership position extensive experience from his work in the areas of: couple conflict and communication, addictions and compulsions, depression and anxiety disorders, anger management, building emotional/relational life skills, survivors of abuse and trauma, men’s issues, parenting, and family conflict resolution. His experience in the therapeutic arena includes over 25,000 hours of clinical work with individuals, couples, and families.
Scott is passionate about the privileged opportunity he has in his role as Leader and Director. His daily focus is to be used as an instrument of encouragement, challenge, and inspiration to the team he leads at LifeCare. Scott is committed to building a team that is held to the highest standards of client care and professional treatment within the field of psychotherapy and psychological services.
Scott also provides seminars, workshops, and conferences in his areas of focus. He is a dynamic and challenging speaker who shares both from his personal and clinical experience when engaging his audience. His talks and presentations are informative and practical. Scott is very committed to providing his participants with a combination of knowledge, experiential learning and tools and strategies for application in everyday life.
Scott is passionate about embracing the unique blessings and challenges that come with marriage and the raising and launching of three adult children. Scott makes time for rest and relaxation in the solitude of nature and the joy of music.