Call 919-467-7777 or Email
to schedule or learn more about our services

Marriage & Divorce - page header image

Marriage
and Divorce

Marriage & Divorce - page header image

Marriage
and Divorce

Marriage & Divorce - page header image

Marriage
and Divorce

Marriage & Couples Services

marriage couples help resources cary nc raleigh

At Wynns Family Psychology, we value marriage and healthy relationships. And we offer a robust set of marriage and couples therapy services. To learn more about how we can help you nurture and build strong relationships, please visit our Marriage and Couples Therapy page.

Separation & Divorce

While many people enter marriages with good intentions and plans to live happily ever after, some couples inevitably have to make the tough decision to end their marriage for various reasons. Whether planned or unexpected, divorce or separation can impact the well-being of each member in the family. Divorce can be a difficult time for a family.

Couples who are divorcing may have competing feelings. The parent who asked for the divorce may feel relief about finally taking action on something that they have been thinking about for a while, guilt that they are hurting their partner and/or breaking up the family, anxiety about what will happen next, or feel like a failure for not making the marriage. On the other hand, the parent who may have wanted to work on the marriage may feel blindsided by the end of the marriage, experience feelings of loss, betrayal, and abandonment by the request to end the marriage, and experience feelings of guilt/shame that they were not able to make their partner happy. Feelings get even more complicated if the marriage ended because one partner cheated. Even partners who mutually agree to separate and divorce may feel the same feelings of failure, guilt, and fear.

Regardless of a child’s age, their parents' separation/divorce may also lead to complicated feelings. Children of all ages may be confused about why their parents are breaking up, especially if they did not have any clues that their parents were unhappy. For example, younger children may feel that they are at fault for their parents' break up; pre-teens/teens may be angry and fearful about how this change may disrupt their everyday routines. Likewise, a child’s personality traits and the level of conflict in the home may also impact your child’s response to your separation and divorce.

WFP Can Help!

Whether you are contemplating separation, have agreed to separate, have taken steps towards getting divorced, or are recently divorced, we can provide your family with support to adjust to this life change.

Studies suggest that divorce may negatively impact a child’s mood and behavior and may serve as a risk factor for future mental health and educational problems. However, studies also suggest that children’s outcomes may be improved if parents are able to reduce/manage conflict, try to work cooperatively to maintain stability in their child’s environment, and find healthy ways to cope.

Despite its reputation, divorce does not have to lead to long-lasting and unhealthy changes for a family. For many married couples on the brink of divorce there are healthy choices and options for moving forward towards separation and divorce.

For example:

Divorce Planning:

Couples who are planning to separate can work with one of our experienced clinicians to decide when, how, and what to tell their child about their pending separation/divorce, how to focus on the best interests of their child despite their own feelings or fear, frustration, and anger; and, match a parenting plan to their child’s developmental needs.

Individual Therapy and Parent Coaching:

For parents who need emotional support and advice during or after a divorce, individual therapy can be a helpful resource. We can also offer parent coaching when it’s difficult to know how to discipline, how to talk to kids about the other parent, or how to maintain routine.

Child Therapy:

For children who have been told about an upcoming (or recent) separation or divorce, they can work with one of our experienced clinicians in therapy. Children and teens can have a safe and neutral environment where they can express the feelings they may have about their parents' break-up.

Co-Parenting:

Parents who are having difficulty making decisions or communicating about their child(ren) may choose to work with one of our experienced providers on strategies for effective co-parenting.

Reunification Therapy and Family Therapy:

When a child refuses visitation or has a troubled relationship with one parent, we can provide reunification therapy to provide a place to heal the relationship and resume (or start) an appropriate time-sharing schedule. When the entire family system could benefit from support and a safe place to talk through complicated feelings, family therapy can also be a helpful option.

We also have a full menu of Custody Services when needed.

 

 

Stay Happily Married Podcasts

Dr. Wynns discusses couples and family issues with Lee Rosen through the Stay Happily Married podcasts. Please note these podcasts are only meant to provide general information about a topic. They should not necessarily be used as psychological counsel or advice, as each person's specific situation requires a more custom solution.
Most computers come pre-installed with this free software. However, if you don’t have it, or need a newer version, you can download Quicktime Player here.

If you have any questions or would like more information on a particular topic, feel free to send an email to Info@WynnsFamilyPsychology.com.

 

Marriage & Divorce Resources & Articles

Marriage Resources

  • What You Should Know About Free Range Parenting

    Would you let your 10-year-old take a public bus alone? Or would you allow your 7-year-old to ride in an elevator without you? Many parents who embrace so-called free-range parenting would say, "Why not?"

  • Plan a DIY Date Night for Less

    You can expect dinner out to cost upwards of $100 per couple-not cheap! Why not tap into your creativity and turn your house into a restaurant instead?

  • Marriage and Parenting 101

    Marriage And Parenting 101 Blog

  • Does Long-standing Sibling Rivalry Really Have An Impact On A Marriage?

    So where does sibling rivalry start in the first place? According to academic professionals at the University of Michigan Health System, the most fundamental effect and characteristic of sibling rivalry is jealousy. Constant arguments between siblings create a strong feeling of tension in the household that's felt by everyone. It's also been suggested that rivalry between siblings has...

  • What Do Men Really Want? (It's Not What You Think.)

    There are a lot of stereotypes about men and what they want, and nearly everyone has heard them. But believing that men are as simple as the stereotypes say can make you miss out on more meaningful ways to make him happy and strengthen your relationship together. Do you think you know what men really want out of their relationships?

  • Happy Mother's Day: Making Your Wife Feel Appreciated As A Mother

    With Mother's Day just around the corner, we're all reminded just how important it is to show appreciation for the mothers in our lives. But sometimes we can forget that it's just as important to show appreciation and support for your wife's role as a mother throughout the rest of the year. What are some of the issues mothers deal with on a daily basis that sometimes go unnoticed, and what can...

  • How Will Infertility Affect Your Marriage?

    Has the inability to conceive created problems for your personal health, relationship with your spouse, or the priorities in your marriage? Harboring guilt or resentment quickly leads to a breakdown in communication that puts your marriage in serious jeopardy. Dr. Christina Rush discusses the emotional and psychological impact of infertility on both the spouses individually and the couple as a...

  • Can Your Marriage Survive A Baby?

    After the excitement of the birth has worn off, infants can place a lot of strain on a relationship. Do you find it hard to devote the time to your spouse and marriage that you used to? Are your children toddlers and now that you have a little more time, you feel like you hardly know your spouse? Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to the show to discuss how you can stay focused on your marriage without...

  • Connecting When You're Expecting

    With a baby on the way, life can become even more hectic than usual and your relationship with your spouse can be one of the first things to suffer. The physical changes can be hard enough to deal with, but what impact do changes in mood, increased responsibility, and the limelight (or lack thereof for dads) of pregnancy have on the relationship? Does the length of time you've been married...

  • Family Meetings – Ugh!

    It would be nice to sit down with everyone for dinner or a discussion, but with everyone’s busy lives, is rounding up the family for some time together even possible? Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to the show to share her tips on working family time into a hectic schedule and discusses the importance of regular family communication (including the kids) on your marriage.

  • I'm Sorry, Really, I'm Sorry

    Apologizing can be a lot more difficult than it seems. Dr. Kristen Wynns joins us to discuss why some of us find it so hard to apologize to our spouses, the impact of always needing to be right on a marriage, why making your spouse believe your apology is for real can be difficult, as well as her 5 steps for a sincere and constructive apology.

  • Coping With Your Child's Behavioral And Emotional Issues

    Children can place stress on any marriage, and when kids are dealing with behavioral or emotional problems, it can often be even more trying on the parents. Dr. Kristen Wynns returns to discuss some of the differences between chronic problems and those that are a natural part of development, as well as what parents can do to make sure the special needs of their children don’t take a toll on...

  • The Effects Of Marital Conflict On Your Kids

    Is conflict in your marriage taking a toll on your children? Even if the arguments take place behind closed doors, they can still impact your kids. Dr. Kristen Wynns discusses some tactics parents often use without realizing the effects and how parents can resolve conflicts in a constructive manner that provides a positive behavioral model for their children.

  • When Your Husband Doesn't e-mail back

    Have you ever e-mailed your husband at work, writing something along the lines of "Hope you're having a great day! Please remember to pick up the veggie tray for the party, get my oil changed, and mover the clothes to the dryer when you get home. Thanks!"--only to get this response: (Insert crickets chirping)?

  • Building Trust in Your Marriage—In a marriage, what are the building blocks of trust?

    According to the dictionary, trust is defined as “the assured reliance in the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” Having it is a critical factor and also the main foundation for any relationship, whether it’s a friendship, a parent-child relationship, or a marriage. Once trust is broken and an individual no longer feels that he or she can rely on their partner, the...

  • Counsel on Giving Counsel

    Even though offering up good advice seems like a prerequisite for being a good friend, it's sometimes harder than we think.

Resource Library

View all of the Wynns Family Psychology resource content in the main Resources section. Articles, webinars, videos and more!.
WFP Resource Library

Get Started - Information & Scheduling

Call 919-467-7777 or email Info@WynnsFamilyPsychology.com to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our therapy services, testing services, social skills groups, custody services, and team of psychologists and therapists. You can also complete our new client inquiry form to get started.

Most new clients are scheduled for their first full appointment at the Cary, Raleigh, or Greensboro, NC office locations within one to two weeks of calling. We also offer telehealth for those who prefer to have virtual sessions from home, school, or the office.

Request An Appointment Today

Login