CCDG Psychologist Wendy Habelow on Mental Illness Awareness Week: Collaborative is ‘Divorce With Dignity’

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week. When considering divorce when mental illness is involved, Collaborative Divorce can be a very successful approach.

“Collaborative is thought of as ‘divorce with dignity,’ where respect, patience and compassion are central tenets of the approach and process. These tenets are especially evident when one of the partners struggles with mental health issues,” said CCDG psychologist Wendy Habelow. “Mental health diagnoses do not preclude someone from being a loving, capable parent. In a Collaborative Divorce, partners are able to discuss mental health conditions and needs with safety and understanding, without fear of it being used against them in court. Care and attention can be given to ensure that a partner’s mental health needs are being treated appropriately, that they are following treatment recommendations, and that there is a plan in place for the care of children should that partner’s symptoms significantly worsen. These plans might include temporarily changing the parenting schedule if a parent needs time alone or a treatment program, therapeutic support for children who may have questions about what has happened to their beloved parent, and educating both the individual and the partner about how to best manage a chronic illness. The Collaborative Process has at its core a team of professionals with experience in helping families to reconfigure successfully and for the long-term. In particular, the team has a behavioral health specialist whose expertise can be called upon to help families living with mental illness adjust to the new normal of a divorce both during the process and after the divorce is finalized.”