Although each child is unique, it should be noted that children tend to show several predictable responses upon learning that their parents are divorcing. Children in this situation most often experience varying degrees of sadness, despondency and anxiety among other related emotions. However, young children usually express feelings through though their actions as opposed to words, the consequence of verbal and cognitive skills that are not yet fully developed. One important counselling objective for children who are developing typically is to help them use the skills they have already developed to express their feelings using words. The expectation is that talking more openly will both decrease the need to use actions to express feelings and help their parents and other important adults in their lives develop a better understanding and appreciation of the challenges they face.
Andrew Adler, Ph.D. is the director of the Adler Family Centre and the Honorary Consultant (Psychology) at OUHK-LiPACE. He is a licensed psychologist in New York State (US) and has specialised in evaluating and treating a wide range of psychological difficulties for the past 20 years. He earned doctoral and master degrees in clinical psychology from Yale University after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. He taught at Yale University and supervised medical students as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at New York Medical College. In his work in hospitals, clinics and private practice, Dr. Adler has evaluated and treated the full range of psychological difficulties experienced by children, adolescents, adults and their families. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, he was a psychologist in Shanghai for three years, treating and assessing children and adolescents, both expats and local residents.