What happens to a child’s nervous system when they experience divorce, conflict, or emotional disconnection? In this powerful episode, Michelle Dempsey-Multack sits down with Dr. Sasha Reiisieh, an early childhood trauma expert, to explore how attachment, safety, and co-parenting dynamics shape a child’s emotional world. Together, they unpack what truly causes trauma, and why it’s not the divorce itself, but the absence of safety and repair that leaves lasting scars. If you’re a parent navigating separation, co-parenting challenges, or simply striving to raise emotionally secure children, this conversation will help you understand how to nurture resilience, connection, and calm, starting with yourself. What You’ll Learn: The difference between trauma and traumatic events, and how your child’s body defines the difference Why a child’s sense of safety is the single greatest predictor of emotional well-being after divorce How one stable, emotionally regulated caregiver can offset chaos from the other parent The science behind rupture and repair, and how parents can rebuild emotional trust Why co-parenting dynamics often trigger old wounds, and how to model emotional balance for your kids Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Why early attachment shapes lifelong emotional patterns 04:22 – What trauma really is, and why it lives in the body, not the event 09:40 – How caregivers teach the nervous system safety or fear 14:58 – Divorce vs. conflict: what really impacts your child’s well-being 20:31 – The myth of the “resilient child” and how to build true emotional safety 26:47 – The power of one stable parent: creating a foundation of calm 33:04 – How to help kids navigate loyalty binds and co-parenting tension 39:50 – Repairing ruptures and teaching your child emotional regulation Meet the Guest: Dr. Sasha Reiisieh is a licensed early childhood trauma therapist and educator with over a decade of experience working with children and families. His research and clinical work focus on how attachment, regulation, and caregiver dynamics shape emotional health from birth through adolescence. Known for his compassionate, no-nonsense approach, Dr. Racy helps parents understand how to create emotional safety even in the face of conflict and change. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: The Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind Model – A framework for emotionally attuned parenting Rupture and Repair – How emotional breaks, when properly addressed, strengthen connection Somatic Awareness Practices – Helping children and parents regulate through body-based awareness The “One Good Enough Parent” Principle – The protective power of one stable caregiver Closing Insight: “Safety is the foundation of resilience. Your child doesn’t need two perfect parents; they need one emotionally regulated parent who can model calm, love, and connection even in chaos.” – Dr. Sasha Racy Join The Moving On Collective! A safe, judgment-free support group experience for divorced and divorcing parents: https://bit.ly/MichelleCommunity Learn from Michelle how to navigate divorce & co-parenting: https://bit.ly/MDMPodStore Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichelleDempsey Website - https://michelledempsey.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michelle645 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@themichelledempsey1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mldempsey/ LINK TO TRANSCRIPT: https://transcripts/moving-on-method-ep267-healing-after-divorce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
