Life Transitions & Divorce Support for Children in Coquitlam
Change is a natural part of life, but for a child, it can feel like the ground is shifting beneath their feet. Whether your family is navigating a divorce or separation, moving to a new neighborhood in the Tri-Cities, or welcoming a new sibling, these transitions can trigger big feelings and behavioral shifts. At Strong River Counselling, we help children find their footing during times of change.
We provide a steady, supportive environment in Coquitlam to help your child process their "new normal" with resilience and security.
Signs Your Child is Struggling with Change
Children often communicate their stress through their actions rather than their words. During a major life transition, you might notice:
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Regressive Behavior: A child who was potty-trained having accidents, or a sudden return of "baby talk" or clinginess.
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Increased Anxiety: New fears about being alone or an uptick in Separation Anxiety.
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Grief and Sadness: Expressing a deep longing for "how things used to be" or becoming uncharacteristically withdrawn.
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Anger and Irritability: Acting out or having frequent Big Emotions and Meltdowns as they struggle to control their changing environment.
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Academic Slump: A sudden drop in grades or a lack of focus at school.
Supporting Children Through Divorce and Separation
Divorce is one of the most significant transitions a child can face. At Strong River Counselling, we focus on the child’s experience of the "split."
Protecting the Parent-Child Bond
Children don't need "perfect" parents; they need parents who are emotionally available. We help you navigate the complexities of co-parenting while ensuring your child feels they have "permission" to love both parents. Our approach is strictly clinical and child-centered, focusing on Parent-Child Connection during this fragile time.
Our Approach: A Safe Harbor in the Storm
We use a blend of relationship-based therapy and practical coping tools to help your child navigate transition.
Processing Change Through Play
Play Therapy allows children to "rehearse" changes in a safe environment. Whether they are playing out a "move" or using dollhouses to represent two homes, play helps them integrate the changes into their life story without feeling overwhelmed.
Building Transition Toolkits
We work with families to create "predictability" in the middle of chaos. This might include visual calendars for transition days or "connection rituals" that stay the same no matter which house the child is in.
Meet Your Clinical Director:
Destinee Kreil, MCP, RCC
Destinee Kreil understands that the river of life has many twists and turns. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, she provides the steady guidance families need to navigate these bends safely. She is committed to helping Tri-Cities families turn "endings" into healthy "new beginnings."
FAQ: Life Transitions & Divorce
