Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, dive into one of the most common—and often overlooked—causes of conflict in relationships: the gap between what someone actually says and what the other person hears or interprets. Whether you’re communicating with your child, partner, co-parent, family member, or coworker, this dynamic plays a major role in how convers...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, tackle a topic many divorced parents eventually face: introducing a new romantic partner into the family system. They discuss the questions parents often wrestle with, including whether you need to tell your co-parent about a new relationship and when it may be appropriate to do so. Michael and Armando explain that while every situ...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, explore the different roles parents often fall into during divorce—and how those roles shape the experience their children have in each home. They begin by discussing a common reality many parents notice: children often behave differently at each parent’s house. Even though both parents are raising the same child, they may feel l...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, unpack what codependent behavior looks like—especially in the context of divorce. When you’ve spent years in a codependent relationship, untangling from that dynamic can feel disorienting. As the marriage ends, you may realize how much of your identity was wrapped up in managing the other person’s emotions, avoiding conflict, or...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, is joined by family law attorney Diana Romanov from the YouTube channel Divorce Like a Boss to talk about how technology is changing the divorce process. Diana shares how some attorneys are beginning to use AI to streamline paperwork, organize information, and increase efficiency—often saving clients time, stress, and legal costs. She and Michael discuss bot...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, is joined by Dr. Kalima Charway, Ph. D., L.S.S.P., L.P., to unpack one of the most common claims heard in therapy and divorce conversations: “My ex is a narcissist.” Dr. Charway, who conducts court-ordered psychological evaluations, explains why personality disorders are actually rare, affecting only a small percentage of the population, and why diagnosing t...

Divorce doesn’t just change family structure—it changes how children experience safety, loyalty, and emotional connection with both parents. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, Jinohn Marr, LMFT, and Armando Martinez, LPC explore divorce from the child’s point of view, helping parents understand what kids often feel but struggle to say. They discuss how a mother’s fear and anxiety can unintent...

Divorce can leave dads questioning their role, their influence, and their place in their children’s lives. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC speak directly to the fears and frustrations many divorced dads experience during and after divorce. They explore the identity shift from married dad to single dad, common complaints and fears dads carry, and how fear often sho...

When your kids are with their other parent, it can bring up anxiety, fear, and a sense of loss—especially for moms who have carried the emotional weight of parenting. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT explore why letting go feels so hard and how control often grows out of fear, not failure. Together, they discuss how control shows up during co-parenting, how kids experien...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore a question many people quietly carry: “Will therapy actually work for me?” Whether you’ve had a disappointing experience in the past or you’re unsure how counseling is supposed to help, this conversation invites listeners to shift from fear-based expectations to a fit-based mindset. Michael and Arrianna discuss...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, break down the often misunderstood role of CPS (Child Protective Services, as it’s called in Texas) and how it intersects with family court and the therapeutic process. They explain what CPS is, when and how it becomes involved in family law cases, and the role it may play alongside therapists when concerns about a child’s safety arise...

As we enter a new year, Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, remind us how essential self-care is during divorce—and how this season can also be an opportunity to build the habits that help you become the person you want to be. Jennifer begins by highlighting the physical foundations of wellness, including nourishing your body with food that supports you, incorporating mo...

In this episode, Jinohn Marr, LMFT, and Armando Martinez, LPC, take over to discuss a topic many parents struggle with: why children often fall apart after transitioning back from the other parent’s home. They explain that these transitions can be emotionally demanding because children are shifting back into a different set of expectations, routines, and emotional needs. Armando reminds us that th...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, talk about the importance of intentionally planning for your family in the event of divorce. Just like a wedding requires coordination and preparation, a divorce—especially when children are involved—benefits from thoughtful, collaborative planning. Michael and Jennifer discuss how communication between both parties can make all th...

Register for the Countering Alienation course to protect your relationship with your child and gain the tools you need to navigate high-conflict dynamics with clarity and confidence here: https://www.beyonddivorcecourses.com/offers/LoSnQoUH/checkout In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, explore what happens with in-laws when a divorce occurs between you and your spouse...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore how to truly hear your child during and after divorce—without leading, influencing, or burdening them. They talk about the importance of asking open-ended, neutral questions that create the emotional space children need for genuine honesty. Arrianna reminds us that you don’t have to fix everything your child sha...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jinohn Marr sits down with Michael Flores, LPC-S, for an in-depth conversation about one of the most painful challenges parents face during high-conflict divorce: alienation. Jinohn flips the script and interviews Michael about what alienation really is, how to recognize it early, and the emotional impact it has on both children and the targe...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, sits down with Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, to help parents understand how divorce can affect children and when it may be time to seek professional support. They discuss the different ways kids may show that they are struggling — from emotional changes like sadness or irritability, to behavioral shifts, physical symptoms such as stomachaches, or academic decline....

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC unpack one of the most common — yet often misunderstood — emotional experiences during divorce: anxiety. They explore the difference between angst — that sense of restlessness, unease, or tension — and anxiety, which is a more persistent state of fear or dread often focused on the future. Divorce can bring a sudden loss of predictabi...

Children hear more than our words — they hear our tone, our silence, and the energy we bring into a room. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate dive into how kids are always listening, even when you’re not directly talking to them about their other parent. They explore how your nonverbal cues — your calmness, reactions, and overall demeanor — shape your child...

In this episode, we explore why taking a family approach to therapy can be one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change—especially for families navigating divorce. We talk about how parents often come into therapy hoping the counselor will “see” their perspective or prove the other parent wrong. But real healing begins when we shift the focus toward curiosity, trust, and the bigger pictu...

Love doesn’t always end when a marriage does—and that leftover love can show up in surprising ways during co-parenting. In this episode, we share some of the things we, as counselors, notice when one or both parents may still be in love with the other. Sometimes it shows up not as affection, but as intense anger. We talk about how people often set you up to feel what they’re feeling, and how holdi...

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood parts of healing after divorce. In this episode, we explore what forgiveness truly is—and what it isn’t. Forgiveness is about letting go of anger and hurt, finding peace instead of seeking revenge, and releasing the other person’s power over your emotions. Just as importantly, forgiveness is not about approving of hurtful or harmful behavio...

The back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for any family—and even more so when you’re navigating co-parenting. In this episode, we dive into how parents can support their child’s school life while managing life between two homes. We talk about why school routines matter and how to keep them consistent across households. You’ll hear a simple rule of thumb for when parents don’t agree on rules...

Divorce is more than a legal process—it's an emotional rollercoaster. In this powerful episode, we unpack the Top 5 Fears in Divorce that so many parents silently carry. We explore common emotional fears, including: Being alone Regret and doubt Loneliness and second-guessing yourself ("Could I have saved this?" or "Was this a mistake?") Anxiety about finding love again We also dive into financial...