Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

Brighter Possibilities Family Counseling
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change podcast! We are actual therapists helping clients who sit on our couches every day through their difficulties of divorce. Whether you're contemplating separation, in a divorce, or looking for support post-divorce, our episodes provide expert guidance, stories, and strategies to help you through every step of the process.

  1. 1d ago

    The Invisible Backpack: What Kids Carry Between Two Homes

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, explore the invisible load children carry as they move between two homes after divorce. While parents often focus on packing clothes, schoolwork, and favorite toys, children are also carrying something no one can see—the emotions, worries, shifting expectations, and constant adjustments that come with transitioning between two different worlds. Michael and Jinohn explain why children may seem quiet, emotional, withdrawn, or even act differently after an exchange, and why those behaviors are often less about one parent's home and more about the work of unpacking everything they've been carrying. The conversation also highlights how children are constantly adapting to different routines, rules, traditions, and expectations. They discuss why predictability creates security, how simple transition rituals can help children move between homes with less anxiety, and why parents should be mindful of the emotional "weight" they place in their child's backpack. Whether it's asking children to carry messages, talking about financial stress, speaking negatively about the other parent, or expecting them to manage adult emotions, these burdens can make transitions even more difficult. Throughout the episode, Michael and Jinohn offer practical ways to lighten your child's load and help them feel safe, secure, and free to simply be kids. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast so you never miss future conversations, and leave a rating and review to help more families find this support. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @brighterpossibilitiesfc for more encouragement and reminders!

    The Invisible Backpack: What Kids Carry Between Two Homes

  2. Aug 11

    The Loyalty Test Kids Never Asked To Take

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, tackle one of the most painful experiences children face during divorce: feeling like they have to choose between the two people they love most. While parents rarely say, "Pick me," children often receive that message through subtle cues—body language, sighs, eye rolls, sarcasm, or even the way questions are asked after they return from the other parent's home. Michael and Arrianna explain how these unspoken messages can leave children feeling responsible for protecting their parents' emotions instead of simply being kids. They discuss how one of the greatest gifts a parent can give is permission for their child to love both parents freely. Michael shares the heartbreaking words of a child who once said, "My parents are playing tug of war... and I'm the rope." Together, they offer practical ways parents can reduce loyalty conflicts by becoming curious about their child's experiences instead of investigating the other parent, responding with encouragement when children share positive experiences, and creating an emotionally safe space where children don't have to edit what they say. This episode is an important reminder that healthy co-parenting isn't about winning your child's loyalty—it's about protecting their childhood. If this episode resonated with you, please **leave a rating and review of the podcast** to help more families find this support.

    The Loyalty Test Kids Never Asked To Take

  3. Jun 30

    The Divorce Money Map: Finding Financial Confidence After Divorce

    In this episode, Michael Flores sits down with financial planner, author, and speaker Donna Jean Kendrick to discuss her book, The Divorce Money Map. Part workbook and part guide, the book helps newly divorced individuals organize their finances, make informed decisions, and begin dreaming about their future again. Donna walks through the Five W's that serve as the foundation of the book: Who needs to be on your support team? What resolution are you working toward? When did important conversations and events occur? Where will you keep important information and documentation? Why are you making the financial decisions that will shape your next chapter? Whether you're in the middle of a divorce or rebuilding afterward, this conversation offers practical tools and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence. Free Resource from Donna: Donna has generously offered our listeners access to her 6-Week Challenge: Get Your Financial House in Order in Just 6 Weeks. Each week, you'll receive an email with a short video and a simple task to help you tackle important financial to-dos and create momentum toward your goals. Access the free challenge here: https://donnajeankendrick.com/6-week-challenge/ Connect with Donna at sephtonfinancial.com or donnajeankendrick.com If this episode was helpful, please share it with someone who may need it and make a difference in their life by sharing helpful, positive information.

    The Divorce Money Map: Finding Financial Confidence After Divorce

  4. Jun 23

    Proof vs. Progress: When Counseling Becomes the Courtroom

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, discuss the unique challenges that arise when therapy is court-ordered. For many clients, counseling feels different when they've been told to attend rather than choosing it on their own. While the circumstances may be different, Michael and Armando explain that the purpose of therapy remains the same: to promote growth, healing, and meaningful change. Many people enter court-ordered therapy feeling anxious about what to expect, how the process will unfold, and what the outcome might mean for them and their family. One of the biggest differences they see is that clients often arrive focused on making sure their story is heard and understood. After spending months—or even years—in legal proceedings, they become accustomed to proving what happened, who was right, and why. Therapy, however, is less concerned with proving the past and more focused on creating a healthier future. Michael and Armando explore common fears that emerge in the process, including concerns about being hurt again, rebuilding trust, and protecting children while still allowing relationships the opportunity to improve. To get the most out of court-ordered therapy, they encourage listeners to ask themselves an important question before they begin: What do I want to get out of this? Is the goal healing? Improving a relationship? Finding a path forward? Or is it proving a point? The answer can dramatically influence the experience and the outcome. This episode offers valuable insight for anyone navigating therapy in the context of family court and helps shift the focus from evidence and arguments toward growth and progress. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review to help more families discover the podcast. Have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Send it to media@brighterpossibilitiesfc.com. Want more tools for navigating difficult relationships and creating meaningful change? Check out Michael's book, One Question Away: 50 Therapeutic Questions to Change Everything on Amazon.

    Proof vs. Progress: When Counseling Becomes the Courtroom

  5. Jun 16

    Court Ordered Co-Parent Counseling: What Parents Should Know

    This episode is a replay from Diana Romanov's YouTube Channel Divorce Like A Boss with Diana. Diana is a Certified Family Law Specialist and founder of Romanov Law. In this episode she interviews Michael Flores, a licensed professional counselor based in Texas who works with families navigating high-conflict divorce and custody disputes. Courts sometimes order co-parenting counseling when parents struggle to communicate or when conflict begins affecting children. But what actually happens in those sessions? In this conversation, Michael shares insight from years of working with families in difficult custody situations, including parental conflict, relocation disputes, and the emotional dynamics children experience during divorce. The discussion also explores what children consistently say they want most from their parents during separation. Follow Diana on YouTube at Divorce Like a Boss with Diana and on Instagram @ divorce_like_a_boss To register for Countering Alienation and learn immediate skills to change your co-parenting dynamics and better connect with your child, go here: https://www.beyonddivorcecourses.com/offers/LoSnQoUH/checkout

    Court Ordered Co-Parent Counseling: What Parents Should Know

  6. Jun 9

    Show Me the Money: Keeping Financial Conflict from Hurting Your Kids

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, tackle a topic that often shows up in divorce conversations but doesn't get discussed enough: money and children. In our offices, children of all ages bring up financial concerns, which usually means they're hearing about money struggles directly or indirectly from the adults around them. Michael and Arrianna explain why children should never feel responsible for adult finances and how even when parents aren't intentionally involving them, kids often pick up on stress, worry, and desperation. They share practical, age-appropriate ways to respond when children ask questions about money, helping parents provide reassurance without placing children in the middle of adult issues. While financial transitions can be difficult and sometimes bring feelings of guilt or shame, they also create opportunities to teach valuable life lessons about saving, patience, delayed gratification, and prioritizing needs versus wants. The goal isn't to hide reality from children—it's to protect them from burdens they were never meant to carry while helping them feel safe, secure, and cared for. If you found this episode helpful, please rate and review the podcast to help more families find this support. Have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Send your questions to media@brighterpossibilitiesfc.com.

    Show Me the Money: Keeping Financial Conflict from Hurting Your Kids

  7. Jun 2

    Am I Parenting With Guilt From Divorce?

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, discuss the guilt many parents experience after divorce. Parents often worry about how the changes will affect their children and may feel responsible for the pain their children are experiencing. Michael and Armando explore the difference between having compassion for your child and overcompensating because of guilt. Overcompensation can show up as extravagant gifts, relaxed boundaries, trying to be your child's friend instead of their parent, or giving in out of fear that your child will prefer the other parent. The conversation also highlights how parenting from guilt can lead to unhealthy dynamics, including enmeshment and parentification. Armando encourages parents to ask themselves, "Do I feel like this is my fault, or do I feel responsible because my child is suffering or in pain because of the divorce?" Michael and Armando remind listeners that children need consistency and connection more than gifts or parents competing for their affection. When parents provide predictable routines, healthy boundaries, and meaningful connection, children feel more secure and parents often find their own feelings of guilt begin to ease. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review of the podcast to help more families find this support. Have a question you'd like us to answer on the show or a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Send your questions and suggestions to media@brighterpossibilitiesfc.com.

    Am I Parenting With Guilt From Divorce?

  8. May 26

    How Play Helps Children Cope With Divorce

    In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, discuss the powerful role play has in helping children navigate divorce and stressful family transitions. Parents often say they want their children to “just be kids,” but during divorce, children can unintentionally get pulled into adult emotions, conversations, and conflict in ways that force them to grow up too quickly. Michael and Arrianna explain how play creates space for children to reconnect with safety, creativity, and childhood—and why protecting that space matters so much. They also share that play is not just important for young children. Kids of all ages communicate through play and connection, even if it looks different as they grow older. Play can be a game, shooting basketballs together, drawing, riding bikes, joking around, or simply spending intentional time together. Often, when children feel relaxed and connected through these moments, they naturally begin opening up about their thoughts and feelings in ways they may not during direct conversations. And if you don’t know what to do? Ask them. Kids are often very willing to show you what they want to play and invite you into their world. Michael and Arrianna remind parents that connection does not have to take hours every day—sometimes even small, consistent moments of play and presence can make a meaningful impact. If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to rate the podcast to help more families find this support.

    How Play Helps Children Cope With Divorce
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About

Welcome to the Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change podcast! We are actual therapists helping clients who sit on our couches every day through their difficulties of divorce. Whether you're contemplating separation, in a divorce, or looking for support post-divorce, our episodes provide expert guidance, stories, and strategies to help you through every step of the process.

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