A timely revision of the popular and bestselling guide to the practical and emotional aspects of divorceThis supportive guidebook provides a wealth of proven coping skills to help readers weather the difficult times and eventually build new beginnings. Experienced clinical psychologist Genevieve Clapp addresses daily problems and long--term concerns with a real--world practicality. Clapp provides a road map of what lies ahead, including advice on choosing a lawyer, helping children adjust, custody arrangements, and dealing with anger and anxiety. Ideal for divorcing parents as well as couples without children, this book will help readers nurture healthy, committed relationships and successful stepfamilies. This guide includes updated information on co--parenting and current topics such as parent alienation, stalking, and substance abuse.Genevieve Clapp, PhD (El Cajon, CA), is a clinical psychologist, marriage counselor, and an adjunct professor at California State University Los Angeles. She is also a divorce mediator, and conducts divorce adjustment workshops and stepparenting workshops.

Table of Contents

LAYING THE FOUNDATION: COPING SUCCESSFULLY WITH DIVORCE. The Aftermath of Marriage. Legal Fundamentals: What Everyone Should Know. Stress and the Emotional Roller Coaster: Tools to Cope. Feeling Defeated and Immobilized: How to Combat Depression. What Do I Do with All This Anger? CHILDREN AND DIVORCE. Divorce through a Child's Eyes. Critical Ingredients for Children's Adjustment. Conflict!: The Number One Predictor of Children's Poor Adjustment after Divorce. Fostering Children's Long-Term Adjustment: A Step-by-Step Guide. REBUILDING A REWARDING SINGLE LIFE. Your Emotional Divorce: Stepping-Stone to a Rewarding New Life. Rebuilding. Communicating with an Ex-Spouse: Ten Tools that Will Make the Difference. New Romantic Relationships. How to Create a Successful One-Parent Home. The Parent without Custody: Dilemmas and Solutions. CO-PARENTING CHILDREN AFTER DIVORCE. Custody: What's the Real Scoop? Parenting Plans: Blueprints for a Smooth Future. Making Co-Parenting Work. Ending the Conflict: A Step-by-Step Approach. How to Discipline Effectively and Still Be a "Good Guy". STEPFAMILIES. Stepfamily Myths versus Stepfamily Reality. Losing Strategies: Eight Common Paths to Serious Stepfamily Problems. Learning What Works: Successful Strategies for Stepfamilies. OVERVIEW AND APPENDICES. Closing Remarks. Appendices. Notes. Selected Sources. Index.

About the Author

GENEVIEVE CLAPP, PhD, is a counselor with the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, and works exclusively with separated and divorced parents with child custody disputes, co-parenting problems, or stepfamily problems. She has worked as a divorce mediator and has taught both graduate seminars and undergraduate courses at California State University and Arizona State University.