Arielle Fettman (she/her/hers)

When a couple is experiencing a divorce, other members of the family are affected. Divorce is a transitional period for all family members involved, especially children. Divorce necessitates a reorganization of the family regarding proximity (both physical and emotional), boundaries, roles, expectations and rules. It can be helpful to have intentional conversations about these changes as a family to promote emotional health, adjustment, and healing.

I work with parents together and individually on co-parenting strategies. These strategies are customized to every family as no family is the same or is experiencing this transition under the same circumstances. Regardless of the concrete co-parenting strategies discussed for your family, you can expect an emphasis on curbing reactivity from adults, and instead learn to respond or lead from a part (please see my website regarding“parts work”) that is focused on the best interest of your children

Divorce and separation can be disorienting. It can be helpful for individuals to have an emotionally safe place to sort through the overwhelming thoughts, feelings, and beliefs with a therapist who is trained to offer comfort and perspective. I see my role with those struggling with divorce as someone who can assist in processing the emotion, offer strategies on caring for yourself (esp when having to communicate with your ex), and facilitate the creation of a helpful narrative.

Family therapists are trained to focus on relationships. As human beings, we are constantly engaging in some type of relationship. For many of us, the most impactful relationships we will experience are relationships with our family members, both our families of origin and our families of primary affiliation. When we spend significant amounts of time interacting with others patterns of interaction begin to emerge. One focus of family therapy is addressing patterns that cause distress.

Unfortunately suffering is a part of life. It is unavoidable, although people employ various types of strategies to avoid suffering and the feelings associated with suffering. It is my belief that in order to withstand suffering, and to heal from it, we must submit to our experience and acknowledge our uncomfortable feelings. I assist my clients in acnowledging their various emotions, and encourage a curiosity about the emotion that initiates a process of healing.