Supporting Parents Through Divorce: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Mar 20, 2025

In this special episode, I’m joined by Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby—licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching—to talk about one of the most challenging dynamics we face as CCPTs: supporting children of divorce while also navigating the emotional needs of their parents. While our clinical work is with the child, we can’t ignore the impact of the system around them—and parents are often in crisis themselves.

Dr. Lisa shares powerful insight into what parents are really going through during separation and divorce, why most therapists (and parents) are not equipped to handle these transitions well, and what we as CCPTs can do to support families more effectively. We explore how to respond when parents are emotionally dysregulated, how to set boundaries while staying supportive, and why having clear, direct conversations is an act of advocacy for the child. This episode is full of practical, compassionate guidance to help you confidently navigate high-conflict family situations while staying rooted in the CCPT model.

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References:

Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

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