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 health vulnerabilities are already present.

In this important and tender episode, we talk about what happens when suicide and divorce collide—and how parents can recognize the signs, start supportive conversations, and create a safer emotional environment for their children.

We explore:

How divorce can amplify anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation

The roles kids take on in divorce (gatekeeper, distractor, avoider)

The emotional toll on children caught in the middle

Warning signs that may indicate your child is struggling

How to talk to your child if you're worried about suicidal thoughts

Why healthy co-parenting isn’t just ideal—it’s protective

The protective factors that truly make a difference in your child's mental health

This episode is for any parent navigating a difficult separation who wants to support their children through emotional darkness with presence, clarity, and compassion.

Need more support?

Take our free class: Toxic Family Dynamics Unpacked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0cv2i_xHH8&t=511s

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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-processing

- Over-validating

We break down each of these points, offering our perspective as family therapists and giving practical strategies parents can use to support their children without feeding into their anxiety.

We also explore:

- What this dynamic looks like in divorced or divorcing families

- How well-meaning parenting can sometimes backfire

- What to do **instead** of labeling, over-processing, or over-validating

Free Resource: Toxic Family Dynamics Unpacked

Want to dive deeper into how family patterns may be shaping your child’s emotional world? Take our free class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0cv2i_xHH8

If you found this episode helpful, **rate and subscribe** so you never miss an episode. Your reviews help us reach more parents who are trying to do the work.

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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 respond when you sense those thoughts may be influenced by others.

You'll also learn key red flags to watch for, like becoming a helicopter parent, overcompensating for the other parent, or tying your identity too tightly to your role as a parent. This conversation is all about shifting from control to connection, so your child feels safe, seen, and supported as they grow.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @brighterpossibilitiesfc

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, leading to parentification, split loyalties, self-blame, and emotional instability. We also offer clear, age-appropriate language and guidance to help you talk to your child in a way that promotes safety, predictability, and the most important message of all—love.

Whether you’re newly separated or years into co-parenting, this episode will help you communicate in a way that protects your child’s heart while still being honest and supportive.

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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 closest to you

Clarify what truly matters to you as you rebuild your life

We also talk about how moments of irritation or emotional triggers are invitations for self-reflection — and how taking the time to explore these moments can help you regain control over your life and choices.

Finally, we explore the idea that the best version of yourself — your true, authentic self — is the greatest gift you can offer to your children, your community, and the world.

Grab our free course: Toxic Family Dynamics Unpacked — to better understand dysfunctional family patterns and learn to break them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0cv2i_xHH8

Follow us on Instagram: @brighterpossibilitiesfc

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! It helps us reach more people who need support through life's toughest transitions.

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 steps to help you work through the tension and confusion that can arise. We wrap up the episode with 6 actionable tips to help you co-parent more effectively, even if your styles clash.

Whether you're the more structured parent or the laid-back one, this episode will help you find more clarity, connection, and confidence in your co-parenting journey.

Loved this episode? Have a question or a story to share? Send me a message or connect with me on Instagram @brighterpossibilitiesfc. We’d love to hear how this topic lands for you and what questions you still have!

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 moments of growth, reconnection, and real change.

🔹 A mother and daughter who overcame tension and mistrust after a difficult divorce to rebuild their relationship.

🔹 A woman navigating the end of her second marriage who chose self-work as the path to rebuilding her life.

🔹 A teen son caught in the middle of parental conflict who inspired his parents to come together in support of his needs.

🔹 A young co-parenting family who learned to set aside their conflict and consistently put their children first — even without a therapist in the room.

Whether you’re a parent, co-parent, or professional working with families in transition, this episode offers both hope and clarity. Real people. Real challenges. Real change.

If you're ready to access Toxic Family Dynamics Unpacked, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0cv2i_xHH8 or https://brighterpossibilitiesfc.com/toxic-family-dynamics

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 Temp Check—and explain how each one plays a role in restoring connection with your child. We also share practical communication tips and mindset shifts to help you move through each step with clarity and care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What reunification therapy is and why it matters

Why the reunification process should always center the child’s needs—not the parent’s agenda

How to effectively communicate through each of the 5 steps: Acknowledge, Validate, Apologize, Collaborate, and Temp Check

Common mistakes to avoid when trying to reconnect

Why going slow is often the fastest way to rebuild trust

This episode offers guidance, compassion, and a clear framework to help you take meaningful steps toward healing.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉 Free Course: Toxic Family Dynamics Unpacked — Learn to recognize patterns like alienation, triangulation, and parentification. www.brighterpossibilitiesfc.com/classes

Be sure to rate and review this podcast so we can reach more people just like you!

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. We discuss:

✅ The key components of trust and how they impact relationships

✅ How to rebuild trust after betrayal or conflict

✅ The unique challenges of re-establishing trust with a child after separation or alienation

Whether you're navigating co-parenting struggles, working to reconnect with your child, or trying to heal from broken trust in your relationships, this episode will give you the insights and tools to move forward.

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 ineffective co-parenting and the profound impact it has on children. They explore how children perceive and feel the tension between parents, even when it’s not openly expressed, and why unity between co-parents is crucial for a child's emotional well-being.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why parents must prioritize co-parenting for their child’s sake

✅ How children experience and internalize parental conflict

✅ Why the assumption that children are unaffected is misleading

✅ The importance of starting with common ground in co-parenting

✅ The question parents should ask themself if they’re hoping for change

This episode is packed with insights for parents navigating co-parenting challenges, offering practical advice on fostering a healthier dynamic for their children’s sake.

To join one of Family Based Solutions parenting groups or other events visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/re-mind-services-managed-by-family-based-solutions-29374640129

You can follow Family Based Solutions on Instagram @fbsolutions_

While you're there, be sure to follow us on Instagram @brighterpossibilitiesfc

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