What role do emotions play in navigating divorce, especially when children are involved?

Nicole Romito from Private Vista is back with Dr. Lydia Richardson for part two of their series on dealing with divorce. While part one focused on self-care for adults, this installment dives into supporting children through the emotional ups and downs of their parents’ separation. 

Dr. Richardson, a seasoned clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics, brings her insights on minimizing the negative impacts of divorce on children. From establishing consistent routines to managing difficult conversations, this episode is packed with practical tips and candid discussions.

Key conversations include:

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• The impact of divorce on children of various ages [05:35]
  
• Essential behaviors to avoid during this difficult time [06:22]
  
• The importance of parental self-awareness and control [15:19]
  
• Strategies for creating a stable environment during transitions [20:26]
  
• Navigating co-parenting challenges while keeping kids’ best interests at heart [26:16]
  
• And more!
  

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

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• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
  
• MyPrivateVista.com
  
• info@myprivatevista.com
  
• Call: 312-831-4370
  

Connect with Dr. Lydia Richardson:

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• info@drlydiarichardson.com 
  
• LinkedIn: Lydia C. Richardson
  
• Richardson Psychology
  

About Our Guest: 

Lydia Richardson is a licensed clinical psychologist, Divorce Mediator, Collaborative Law Coach, and Child Specialist who has provided services to adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings since 2004. She is fluent in Spanish and Danish; her multicultural background enables her to bring cultural sensitivity and competence to all aspects of her work, and she is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life. Her business experience in banking and finance gives her a unique perspective and ability to problem-solve effectively and work efficiently to help clients achieve their goals. She earned her B.A. from New York University (Economics/Politics) and worked in business and finance for several years before returning to school to study psychology. She earned her M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology and her doctorate in clinical psychology (both from Roosevelt University). She has worked extensively with the families of children with developmental disorders, in foster care, and with adolescents in juvenile detention. She is also trained in neuropsychological assessment of adults and children and has consulted to companies seeking executive coaching and team-building.

She is a Past President of the Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI) Board of Directors and continues to serve on the Board as the Vice President of Mental Health. She is passionate about and hopes to promote alternative dispute resolution and help facilitate less conflict in divorce so as to promote happier families and more productive co-parenting. She believes that families can transcend the difficulty of divorce and evolve into happy and productive individuals and co-parents. She is a member of other professional organizations, including the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She also enjoys teaching graduate psychology courses at Roosevelt University in Chicago and providing consultation to other mental health professionals.

A native New Yorker, she has lived in Chicago for over 20 years and calls it home. She is the proud mother of three children who are all in graduate school now, forging their own futures as fellow peacemakers. In her spare time, she is outdoors as much as possible, biking, hiking, skiing, and walking the Chicago lakefront.