From the Book: Divorce Amicably
This is a chapter summary from Chapter 6 of Divorce Amicably, a guide to navigating separation with dignity and cooperation.
Chapter 16 Author: Stephanie Robins
With over 20 years experience as a clinical social worker and family therapist, and as a graduate of University of Alabama specializing in Children, Adolescents, and Families, she is currently serving as private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Her areas of expertise are in Anxiety Disorders, ADHD Interventions, Infertility/Postpartum, Marital/Relationship, Play Therapy, Grief/Loss, Divorce Adjustment, & Parent Education.
In addition to being a prominent relationship and family therapist, Stephanie Robins, LCSW has presented at National conferences and to general audiences speaking on the topics of Parent Education, Anxiety Interventions with Children, Grief/Loss, Play Therapy, Divorce/Stepfamilies, and Anger/Stress Management.
Chapter 16: The Psychological Stages of Divorce
With over 25 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker, Stephanie Robins brings a uniquely compassionate and practical perspective to understanding divorce's emotional journey. In this deeply personal chapter, she reveals how divorce follows predictable psychological stages that mirror grief—but with a crucial twist: these stages don't arrive in neat order, and you might ping-pong between them throughout the process. Through real client stories (names changed), Robins demonstrates how each emotional stage can either sabotage or support your legal decisions, potentially costing or saving you thousands of dollars and years of regret.
What makes this chapter invaluable is Robins' insight into the initiator-responder dynamic—the emotional imbalance that occurs when one spouse has been emotionally detaching for months while the other is blindsided by the divorce announcement. She reveals how this timing gap creates communication breakdowns and legal complications, but more importantly, provides strategies for bridging this emotional divide. Through compelling case studies, Robins shows how understanding where you are emotionally can transform your divorce from a destructive battle into an opportunity for rebuilding and renewal.
Key Takeaways
Who Should Read This Chapter
This chapter is essential for anyone feeling emotionally overwhelmed by divorce, whether you're contemplating separation, recently blindsided by your spouse's announcement, or stuck in the middle of proceedings that feel out of control. Robins speaks directly to both initiators wrestling with guilt and responders reeling from shock, providing the emotional roadmap both need to navigate this journey.
If you find yourself making decisions out of anger that you know aren't rational, giving away too much because you feel guilty, or simply unable to move forward because you're emotionally stuck, this chapter provides the professional guidance and real-world examples you need. Perfect for those who want to understand not just what they're feeling but why—and most importantly, how to prevent those feelings from derailing their future.
Get your copy of "Divorce Amicably" today and discover how understanding your emotional journey can transform your divorce decisions—because the choices you make in emotional turmoil today will impact your life for years to come.
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