It is Thanksgiving weekend. 🦃

Like other holidays, parenting time is usually shared or split between parents. There might be times when you are not with your children. Therefore many different feelings may set in.

If you are not with your children this Thanksgiving, here are a few tips and suggestions to help you through this time.

🦃Celebrate Thanksgiving on another day. Just because Thanksgiving falls on a specific day doesn’t mean that’s when you have to celebrate. The kids might even love having a second Thanksgiving.

🦃Do something fun alone. Even though you may be on your own, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy yourself. So don’t waste the day off feeling sorry for yourself or moping. Instead, go to a movie, binge-watch your favourite show, or volunteer somewhere.

🦃Call on your friends. If you don’t want to be alone on Thanksgiving, call your friends or family and plan on making dinner with them.

🦃Start new thanksgiving traditions. You may have to pack up an old tradition and put it away, but what better time to start a new one? Or at least plan for something. It can be a big, grand adventure, like a trip, or something minor, like a movie date. Talk about what you want to do next Thanksgiving, and maybe plan for a new family holiday ritual.

Whatever you decide, the most important thing is to talk to your kids. There are changes in your family, and validating your children’s feelings is essential.

You may not feel like dwelling on the positive, but it’s better than the alternative. So take care of yourself, hug your kids and eat a yummy meal—what a great opportunity to take this time to appreciate the good things in your life.

#thanksgiving #riseupcounselling #highconflict #divorce #therapy #childrenofdivorce #navigatingdivorce #selfcare ...

Going through a separation can be incredibly tough. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions. Grieving the end of a relationship is natural, as you mourn not only the loss of the partnership but also the future you had envisioned. Remember, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. Healing takes time, so be patient with yourself and know that you are not alone in your grief. With time and self-care, you will be able to move forward and create a new chapter in your life.

#riseupcounselling #divorcerecovery #griefsupport #divorcegrief #socialwork #divorcetherapy #healingjourney #separationgrief ...

Discernment counselling is a specialized approach designed for couples or individuals who are uncertain about the future of their relationship. It’s particularly beneficial for couples where one partner is leaning towards separation or divorce while the other wants to work on the relationship. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails and its benefits:

What It Involves:

➡️Exploration of Perspectives: Each partner gets a chance to express their feelings, concerns, and desires regarding the relationship.
➡️Understanding Options: The therapists helps the couple explore three paths: moving toward divorce, working on the relationship, or taking a time-out to reflect.
➡️Time-Limited Sessions: Discernment counselling typically consists of a few sessions (often 1-5), focusing on clarity rather than long-term therapy.
➡️Decisional Clarity: The aim is to help both partners gain clarity about their feelings and options, leading to a more informed decision about the relationship’s future.

Benefits:
❤️Gain Clarity: Understand your feelings and options better.
❤️Reduce Ambiguity: Eliminate confusion about your relationship’s future.
❤️Improve Communication: Open dialogue in a safe space.
❤️Focused Decision-Making: Prioritize clarity over deeper issues.
❤️Opportunity for Change: For those wanting to rekindle the relationship.
❤️Supportive Environment: Share thoughts without judgment.

Overall, discernment counselling can be a valuable tool for couples navigating the complex emotions surrounding their relationship, helping them move toward a resolution that feels right for both partners.

Reach out to Rise Up Counselling for more information.

#riseupcounselling #discernmentcounselling #therapy #couplescounselling #separation #divorce ...

At every intake we ask our clients “what do you bring to the table?” This is usually a moment where clients pause and self reflect. It allows them to focus on their attitudes, behaviours, and approaches that contribute to the conflict.

In the midst of a high-conflict divorce, it’s easy to focus on the other person’s actions. But real growth and change begins when we take ownership of our own behaviours. Here are some good examples of exploring what your bring to the table:

✅Your Communication Style: Are you contributing to open, respectful dialogue, or are you escalating the situation with hurtful language or defensiveness?
✅Your Emotional Regulation: Do you bring calmness, patience, and empathy to the table, or are you reacting with anger and frustration?
✅Problem-Solving Abilities: Are you offering constructive solutions or approaches to move past the conflict, or are you focused on winning or being right?
✅Willingness to Compromise: Are you bringing flexibility and a readiness to find common ground, or are you rigid and stuck in your position?

What steps can you take today to show up differently? Small shifts can lead to healthier communication and a better path forward. Remember, you can’t control the other person’s actions, but you can always control your response.

#CoParenting #DivorceSupport #HighConflictDivorce #Accountability #PersonalGrowth #ParentingThroughDivorce #riseupcounselling #conflict #ConflictResolution #lifeduringdivorce #parallelparenting ...

Therapy can be hard work, and for many, there’s a stigma attached to seeking help. But let’s clear up a few truths about therapy:

🎯 There is no instant ‘aha’ moment. Unlike the movies, where a single breakthrough changes everything, real-life therapy is a journey of small, gradual progress. It’s about ongoing growth, not a one-time fix.

🎯 You don’t need to be ‘fixed’—because you’re not broken. Therapy isn’t about ‘curing’ you. It’s about uncovering your strengths, building new skills, and learning how to face life’s challenges head-on. Success in therapy means you’re better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs—not that you’re “fixed.”

🎯 Therapists listen more than they advise. Therapy is a relationship. While your therapist may guide you toward solutions, they won’t give you direct answers or tell you what to do. The real magic happens between sessions as you apply what you’ve learned.

🎯 Therapy doesn’t last forever.
You don’t have to be in therapy for life (unless you want to!). From the start, you and your therapist will set goals together and continuously assess your progress. When you reach those goals, it’s time to celebrate your growth and move forward!

Curious if therapy might be right for you? Reach out to Rise Up Counselling at www.riseupcounselling.com and let’s explore this journey together.

#riseupcounselling #therapy #therapyhelps #seperationsupport #divorcesupport #lifeafterdivorce #lifeduringdivorce #highconflictdivorce #highconflict #childrenofdivorce ...

Struggling to communicate with your ex?

Here are 5 tips to keep things calm and productive:

🪷Stay Calm: Take a moment before responding to avoid emotional reactions.
🪷Keep it Business-Like: Stay polite and professional.
🪷Stick to Facts: Focus on the issue, not the past.
🪷Set Boundaries: Politely limit conversations to necessary topics.
🪷Ignore Drama: Don’t respond to personal

Keep it short, focused, and solution-oriented! #CoParenting #HealthyCommunication #boundaries #riseupcounselling #biff #lifeafterdivorce ...

Some days are tougher than others, but even on those hard days, the most important thing you can do is simply put one foot in front of the other. Progress may feel slow, but every step you take is a step toward healing, growth, and change. Be gentle with yourself. Moving forward, no matter the pace, is a victory. Keep going.

#KeepGoing #OneStepAtATime #ProgressNotPerfection #MentalHealthJourney #Resilience #riseupcounselling #divorce #divorcesupport #seperationsupport #lifeafterdivorce #lifeduringdivorce #highconflict #coparenting ...

People can sometimes say awkward or insensitive things to someone who is recently divorced, often without realizing the impact of their words. These types of comments, though often made with good intentions, can overlook the emotional complexity of divorce and make the person feel misunderstood or uncomfortable.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” — Mother Teresa

#wordsmatter #divorce #divorcesupport #whatnotsay #lifeafterdivorce #lifeduringdivorce #highconflictdivorce #separation #therapy #riseupcounselling #coparenting #bekind ...

Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t.

Going through a divorce can feel overwhelming, but here are some ways to stay strong through the process:

💪 Feel Your Emotions: It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. Let yourself grieve, but don’t let these feelings define you.
💪 Lean on Your Support System: Don’t go through it alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist who can remind you of your strength.
💪 Prioritize Self-Care: Take time for yourself—whether it’s journaling, exercising, or simply resting. Rebuilding yourself starts with nurturing your mental and physical health.
💪 Focus on the Future: The end of one chapter is the beginning of a new one. Believe in the possibilities that lie ahead.
💪 Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself. Healing takes time, but every small step forward is progress.

You are stronger than you think.

#DivorceSupport #StayStrong #Resilience #HealingJourney #SelfCareFirst #DivorceRecovery #MovingForward #riseupcounselling #therapy #divorce #seperationsupport ...