Your Child’s Emotional Well Being and Co-Parenting During Divorce

An Interview with Juliet Cooper, Child Psychologist.

{2:30 minutes to read} I recently met with Juliet Cooper, PsyD, a licensed psychologist trained to work with children, teens and their parents, particularly with those families who are experiencing major transitions such as divorce.

How do you work with families?

Each family dynamic is unique. The challenges faced during divorce vary and will inform the course of treatment.

Do you meet with the children alone? With the parents?

I often see a child or a teen individually, but I will also meet with his or her parent(s) to gain a fuller understanding of the stresses and strengths of the family. I firmly advocate involving parents in their child’s treatment in order to educate them on how to best support and understand their child.

How do you help parents deal with co-parenting challenges?

In order to maximize the success of co-parenting, I encourage parents to commit to working together as early as possible. Depending on the couple’s intensity of conflict, I will see parents together, or separately, as circumstances dictate.

I help parents navigate issues such as:

Consistency with schedules and routines
Limit setting
Effective communication
Decision making
Helping children transition between homes
Introducing new relationships
Discussing divorce and creating a narrative
Supporting your ex-spouse’s parenting

What are some of the key elements to help families have a smooth transition during divorce?

The relationship between the parents has a tremendous impact on their children. When parents successfully collaborate, it results in a better outcome for the family. Additionally, when parents treat each other with respect and decency, their children will feel more nurtured and secure.
Children’s ability to adapt to their changing family structure is highly influenced by their support systems. I assist parents in seeking out and identifying significant people and communities in their child’s life. This might include support from other family members, friends, educational and religious institutions, and professional help.
Consistency and routine help children feel secure and safe. While the family structure changes with divorce, it is beneficial to try to keep other aspects of a child’s life predictable and familiar.

Juliet Cooper, PsyD

New York, NY 10028

212-472-3980

Jsc@jscoopernyc.com

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Jennifer Safian

jennifer safian. divorce and family mediator
divorce and family mediation
upper east side of manhattan (nyc)
new york, ny
(917) 881 5206
jpsafian@gmail.com