Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—available 24/7, free and confidential. Divorce is hard on families—but for some children, the emotional weight of divorce can go deeper, especially when mental hea...

This episode is a fun and different one—we're doing a live reaction and deep dive into a powerful Instagram reel by @coachkasabo titled “Adults are accelerating the anxiety crisis at an alarming rate.” You can watch the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJK3bZgtxLg/ In the reel, Coach Kasabo explores how adults unintentionally **enable anxiety** in children and teens by: - Labeling - Over-pro...

Would you rate this podcast?! Your rating helps us get this valuable information in front of more people, just like you! In this episode, we explore how to give children the space to be their authentic selves during and after divorce. We talk about the importance of keeping adult issues between adults, recognizing that kids are people too—with their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions—and how to...

In this episode, we dive into one of the toughest decisions divorcing parents face: what, when, and how to tell their children about the divorce. We explore the intentions behind sharing details—whether it’s for clarity, justification, or emotional release—and the potential consequences of saying too much. You’ll learn how over-sharing can unintentionally burden children with adult concerns, leadi...

Going through a divorce can shake your sense of identity — but it doesn't have to erase who you are. In today’s episode, we dive deep into how to stay connected to your true self during and after divorce. We’ll walk you through a powerful strengths exercise you can do right along with us to help you: Identify your core values and personality traits Understand how you want to be seen by the people...

Parenting is hard enough — throw divorce and differing parenting styles into the mix, and it can feel impossible. In this episode, we break down the four main parenting styles — authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. You’ll hear guidance on how to navigate parenting with someone who has a very different approach than you, along with thoughtful questions to consider and practical...

In this powerful episode, we’re sharing real success stories from families and individuals who found their way through the hardest chapters of divorce and high-conflict relationships — and came out stronger on the other side. Each story highlights transformation, healing, and what’s possible when people commit to doing the work. These aren’t just therapy success stories — they’re deeply human mome...

Reunification therapy is a structured process that helps repair and rebuild the parent-child relationship after estrangement, conflict, or prolonged separation. In high-conflict divorce or strained family dynamics, reunification work can offer a lifeline toward reconnection and trust. In this episode, we break down the 5 key steps of reunification—Acknowledge, Validate, Apologize, Collaborate, and...

Are you struggling with trust issues—whether with your children, co-parent, or spouse? Trust is the foundation of all relationships, but after divorce, betrayal, or conflict, it can feel impossible to rebuild. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC break down The Trust Formula—a powerful framework for understanding, restoring, and maintaining trust in all areas of life. W...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S sits down with Joe Lettieri, the co-founder of Family Based Solutions, a charity in the UK dedicated to supporting families affected by domestic abuse. With a Solution Focused approach, Joe has helped countless families navigate challenges by harnessing their strengths and building collaborative solutions. Joe and Michael dive deep into the realities of ineff...

In this episode, we tackle a common source of tension for divorced families: technology and cell phones between homes. 📱 Technology can easily become a battleground between co-parents. Many parents feel like the other parent uses the phone as a tool to undermine them — creating confusion, conflict, and resentment. We explore how to navigate this tricky dynamic with thoughtful communication and cl...

Divorce is tough on kids of all ages, but for teens, it can be especially challenging. Adolescence is already a time of self-discovery, and when their family is going through a divorce, questions like Who am I? and Where do I fit in? become even more complicated. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S explore the developmental milestones of teens (ages 12-18) and how div...

Divorce and co-parenting can be challenging, especially when your child tells you they don’t like being at their other parent’s home. But how do you know what’s really going on—and what’s the right way to respond? In this episode, we break down three common scenarios parents face when their child expresses distress about time at the other parent's house. You’ll learn how to handle: ✅ When a child...

Divorce is more than just a legal process—it’s a life transition that affects millions of families each year. But what do the numbers really say about it? In this episode, we break down the latest divorce statistics and uncover the real-life impact behind the data. As a family therapist specializing in high-conflict divorce, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S go beyond the numbers to...

In this special episode, we say “see you later” to one of our incredible recurring hosts, Dr. Jacobie Robinson. While we’ll miss his regular presence on the show, he’s leaving us with powerful words of wisdom, motivation, and encouragement for families navigating the challenges of divorce. Tune in as Dr. Robinson answers key questions like: 💡 What should families remember as they go through divor...

This episode contains sensitive content. Leaving a relationship due to safety concerns or emotional trauma is one of the most challenging experiences a person can face. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jorge Gama, LPC-S, of Mending Clinic in Arlington, Texas explore the impact of a traumatic split on both the mind and body, including somatic symptoms, dissociation, and how trauma transfe...

Whether you’re navigating a contentious divorce, worried about your child’s emotional health, or looking to break unhealthy cycles, this episode is packed with insights and actionable steps. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jinohn Marr, LMFT take a deep dive into three harmful dynamics that can emerge in high-conflict divorces—triangulation, parentification, and alienation. These pattern...

This is the third episode of the "Ation" Series. We're calling this the "Ation" Series as we discuss common toxic family dynamics in divorce -- Triangulation, Parentification, and Alienation. Alienation is a hot topic for families of high conflict divorce. Whether you're a parent feeling alienated, struggling with feelings of guilt or confusion, or someone unintentionally alienating a co-parent, M...

This is the second episode of the "Ation" Series. We're calling this the "Ation" Series as we discuss common toxic family dynamics in divorce -- Triangulation, Parentification, and Alienation. In this second episode, we discuss the topic of Parentification. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC break down what parentification is, how it shows up in family systems and the...

Welcome to the first episode of the "Ation" Series. We're calling this the "Ation" Series as we discuss common toxic family dynamics in divorce -- Triangulation, Parentification, and Alienation. This first episode of the series is dedicated to the topic of Triangulation. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S break down what triangulation is, how it shows up in family sy...

The first Monday after January 1st is the day of the year the most divorces are filed. Whether you are contemplating divorce, in the beginning stages of a divorce, or have been going though a divorce for some time, understanding the grief cycle is important in your journey. Michael Flores, LPC-S and Dr. Jacobie Robinson, LPC-S share that divorce isn’t just a legal process; it’s an emotional journe...

In today's episode -- our last before 2025 -- Michael Flores, LPC-S and Dr. Jacobie Robinson, LPC-S discuss the top five reasons our office hears people get divorced. What is the final breaking point? They identify them in the episode today! (3:45) The 5 most common reasons we hear from clients why their marriages end. (4:45) Sex and the reasons it can lead to divorce. (9:30) Why talking about the...

Do you feel like you're always rescuing your co-parent and/or child? Are you the person who can be counted on for fixing things and saving the day? If so, this episode is for you! Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC discuss what to do if you feel like you're always rescuing someone and how that impacts you and others. In this episode, we discuss: (3:00) Listener Question - What do you...

This episode has too many amazing time stamps to summarize here! Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jinohn Temple, LMFT explore the difference between justice and resolution. They discuss the common signs they see in their clients and how they can tell whether their client is after justice or resolution with their ex-partner. They discuss whether justice can be resolution. They'll answer and discuss things...

The holidays are here! While it's typically seen as a time of happiness, it can be difficult for many families who share their children. In today's episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S discuss ways to keep the season joyful when sharing children between homes. They will discuss when sharing, and even allowing the children to be away on your time might be needed. Jen shares how...