Grief and sadness after divorce

Katherine Sellwood, PsyD Psychologist, shares advice for parents on the best ways to handle their sadness and grief following a divorce and allow for healing
Parenting Tips | Overcoming Grief And Sadness After Divorce
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Grief and sadness after divorce

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Whether you wanted the divorce or not, getting over grief and sadness is an important part of your process as a parent. Don’t hide your feelings and don’t pretend that you’re not sad when you really are. Your children may learn that unhappy feelings aren’t okay. So if you’re sad, be sad. One thing that I like to tell parents is there are five stages of loss and grief: denial, bargaining, anger, depression and sadness. And you’re not necessarily going to go through those in those orders, but you’re going to bounce back and forth – you may go from depression to anger to acceptance to denial. What I like about that is that it’s something tangible to hold onto. Well, you may be depressed one day and angry another, that lets you know that you’re moving through this process and that healing is happening.

Katherine Sellwood, PsyD Psychologist, shares advice for parents on the best ways to handle their sadness and grief following a divorce and allow for healing

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Katherine Sellwood, PsyD

Psychologist

Dr. Katherine Sellwood is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Encino, California, who specializes in child, adult and forensic family psychology. She began her Master's Degree training at Pepperdine University, continuing her education at C.S.P.P. to obtain a Doctoral Degree in the field of Clinical Psychology. Since entering the field in 1996, Dr. Sellwood has garnered a diverse professional background that includes working as an elementary and middle school counselor, college and regional center disabilities specialist, executive director of a non-profit organization in psychology, consulting psychologist at hospitals and in-patient medical facilities, and an academic Professor of Psychology at several graduate schools. Dr. Sellwood has been a guest lecturer presenting topics that include: anger management, early childhood development, play therapy techniques, taking a stand against teenage violence, developing resilience, treating children of divorce, loss and grief, adolescent girls and disordered body images, understanding behavioral difficulties.

Dr. Sellwood holds a license in clinical psychology through the state of California. She is on the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, and is a Diplomate with the American Board of Professional Psychology. Her professional affiliations also include The American Psychological Association, The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and The American Academy of Clinical Psychology. She has received professional honors and recognition through the Psy Chi National Honor Society of Psychology, the California Senate for excellence in school counseling, student nominated Who’s Who of America’s Teachers, and peer nominated Sierra Tucson’s Gratitude for Giving.

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