Working, newly divorced parent of one asked for help paying for mental health services for a child experiencing difficulty with the new family living situation. The parent’s insurance was insufficient to cover the cost” s of weekly visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “For the past several years in the United States, there have been more than 800 000 divorces and parent separations annually, with over 1 million children affected. Children and their parents can experience emotional trauma before, during, and after a separation or divorce. Pediatricians can be aware of their patients’ behavior and parental attitudes and behaviors that may indicate family dysfunction and that can indicate need for intervention. Age-appropriate explanation and counseling for the child and advice and guidance for the parents, as well as recommendation of reading material, may help reduce the potential negative effects of divorce. Often, referral to professionals with expertise in the social, emotional, and legal aspects of the separation and its aftermath may be helpful for these families.” Our Board approved six months of weekly talk therapy sessions to help the child navigate and learn to accept their “new normal.”
