Divorce Counseling for Children
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Divorce Counseling for Children
March 2007
Six months ago i separated from my husband of 15 years. I would like to
find a therapist to help my daughters, ages 8 and 5, through this period.
Does anybody have recommendations for a good child therapist in the
Berkeley/Oakland area? I have strong preference for therapists who take
MHN.
anon
I highly recommend Rikki Sudikoff who has worked with kids and families for years. She is
smart, warm and experienced. Her number is 558-8450 and she is on San Pablo near Marin.
lynn
If you are willing to go to San Francisco, Marenka Cerny is a family therapist who is working
with kids and she is excellent. You can reach her at 510-717-9365 and the website is
www.somatic-psychotherapy.org/ Her fees are reasonable.
Suzanne
April 2006
I think that my 7- and 9-year olds could benefit from a trained
person to help them cope with the divorce of their parents. I
know about TURN.
Looking for recommendations.
I know a Psychotherapist who specializes in working with Adolescents and their
families. She is really warm, caring and professional. Alexandra Howells,
Oakland.
Julie
August 2005
My family is going through a terrible divorce. My 11 year old son has had his
father walk out and break up the family, his sister leave for college, is entering
a new middle school and is adopted and has learning issues. I'm looking for a
supportive group with an experienced therapist to help him work through his
anger and saddness and help him to develop coping skills. I believe it would be
extremely helpful for him to be part of a childrens group and to understand
that he isn't alone in his experience and that he will get through this and be
OK. He is a great kid and I want to help him any way that I can. Any
recommendations would be greatly appreciated. S.
You might want to contact Kids Turn. www.kidsturn.org.
They are an organization devoted to helping kids and their
parents through the divorce process. They offer a 6-week (1
night per week) class and it features a specific curriculum
that's designed to assist children with the emotions they are
encountering through divorce/separation.
I have run groups for Kids Turn and it's a truly wonderful
organization. Linda E.
May 2005
I am looking for a referral for a child therapist/psychologist
who has expertise with children of divorce. I would like to
work with someone to evaluate custody plans, advice on issues
if arise with child, communications about divorce with child
and if necessary to see child. Has anyone had experience with
Dr. Ellen Singer or Dr. Marie Claire Hefron?
Anonymous
Dr. Mary Clare Hefron is an amazing woman. She's intelligent,
extremely skilled, gentle, and warm. You and your child will be
in good hands if your have the opportunity to work with her.
Sincerely,
DS
You asked about Dr. Mary Claire Heffron -- I would highly
recommend her. I'm a Psychologist who's worked with Dr. Heffron
through her position heading the Early Childhood Mental Health
Program at Children's Hospital. (I believe she's also in private
practice.) Dr. Heffron is lovely to work with -- she's very
knowledgeable, bright, compassionate and experienced. I would
say she's one of the most highly respected Psychologists in this
county who works with young children and their
parents/caregivers.
TG
Hi there, my son is now 6 and has been seeing a wonderful play
therapist since he was 4 to work on issues with divorce, living
in 2 households, etc. I cannot recommend her highly
enough--Laurie e. Werbner, MFT,
I hope this helps!
Kathy
2001
I would like recommendation of psychologist who specializes in giving good
info to adults who are considering/in throes of divorce, especially ones who
know child psychology and can give advice on childrens issues. I want someone
who will give me good facts more than anything.
About the psychologist who deals with divorce and child issues.
I would recommend Jan Ruchlis. She's an MFCC in Oakland who advertises in
the Neighborhood Parents Network newsletter and in the Parents Press. I
went to her for a while for support in between having both my kids. My
issues were not the same as yours are now, but she was very insightful,
compassionate, and had lots of good ideas. She specializes in divorce and
parenting, among other things. She was really great at providing me with
just the kind of help I asked her for, and I loved that. I wanted support
and practical ideas, not to be psychoanalyzed. And I got the former, not the
latter. You can get her number from the phone book (business pages of the
white pages).
I would recommend the following therapist for Adults and Children moving
through divorce:
Terry D. Trotter,MA 510 433-7371 Her office is on Solano Avenue in Berkeley.
Regards,
Meghan
Feb 1998
My husband and I are going through a divorce and
I'm seeking help for our 4 year old child.
Kaiser Oakland Psychiatric Dept. runs a kids divorce group -- led by a very
good, kind therapist Dr. Mary Haake. Quite low key but a nice, safe
experience for the kids to discuss weighty issues w/peers. Groups are
divided by age, not by gender. Both my kids (age 4 and 8) loved Dr. Haake
(the feeling doctor)
Milton Kalish, LCSW, holds class sessions for children of divorce
at the Lafayette Orinda Pres. Church (classes have nothing to do with
the church). They are held simultaneously with the parenting group
which meets every Monday evening at 6:30. (These meetings are great,
by the way, with childcare provided, all for $3.00!) So you're both
learning and receiving support!
He has about three 8-week sessions per year at a cost of I believe
$60. He is extremely compassionate and loving, uses art and games to
draw out the children's feelings. My 7 year old daughter likes it a
lot and always begs to go.
He MAY have an Oakland location, too. His number in Lafayette is
925/299-0924.
Mari
A friend in social work was generous enough to pass on the following
regarding _counseling for a 4yo_:
"... tell her that she should sign herself and her
child up for Kid's Turn,
which does psychoeducational groups for divorced
and separating families (415-437-0700). She can also call Kaiser to find
out what her mental health benefits are and then ask her pediatrician for
referrals to a Kaiser therapist that works with kids. If that doesn't
work then she can call WestCoast Children's Center
(527-7249) and if they
can't see them they can refer out.
Hope this is helpful.
Sounds like you are asking about a group called Kid's Turn. I have
been a workshop leader for them. It is a six-week workshop, meeting
once a week, either on Saturdays during the day, or a weekday evening.
Because of vacation schedules, they usually don't conduct workshops
during the summer, but you should call them to check on that. Ideally,
both of the parents attend, but it is a requirement that at least one
attends. For each workshop, there are two parents' groups, so that
former spouses are not in the same group. They work on parenting and
communication skills for divorced/separated parents. Kids' groups are
divided by age: 5-7, 8-10, and 10-14. (A support group for teens was
being discussed, but I'm not sure whether that got off the ground or
not). The kids' workshops focus on communication skills and peer
support. The entire workshop is focused on
kids, and is not a group therapy opportunity for
the parents. Fees are on a sliding scale, based on income. The Oakland
sessions are at the Presbyterian Church on College Ave , near Dreyers.
There are workshops in Alameda, SF, Marin, and Walnut Creek, as well. I
don't know what the full price is exactly, but would guess around $200
or so per family. 835-8445 is the East Bay # for the organization.
Their main office is in SF.(I don't have that # handy). They don't make
millions off of anyone. Good luck.
Jeffrey
I participated in a program for families going through
separation/divorce called Kids Turn. It is excellent.
I believe it is based in San Francisco and has workshops
throughout the Bay Area. I don't have a current phone #.
Phyllis
I don't know the names of good books for you and your kids re:divorce,
but I do know of a good workshop for you and your kids to attend: A
Kids Turn
510.835.8445. This is a terrific resource for families during
a difficult transition. Good luck. jhelwig
Bananas would probably know about support services in relation to
divorce. Their Warmline number is 658-6046.
Here are a few other resources:
Bay Area Children First
415-751-1086/ 415-643-4863
Support Groups
Single and two parent families/ Divorce program
Divorce Program workshops (create a healthy co-parenting plan and
relationship)
Kids Turn
415-512-4760 (there may be an Oakland office as well)
Support Groups: Kids and Divorce
www.kidsturn.org
Touchstone Counseling Services
Pleasant Hill
932-0150
Single Parents/ Children of Divorce Groups
Sherry
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