How High-Conflict Divorce Hurts Children — And How to Help Them Heal & Feel Safe Again | David Marcus
Divorce does not just affect parents — it deeply impacts children, especially when conflict, emotional abuse, and unhealthy communication continue after the marriage ends.
In this episode of Bent Not Broken, Deborah speaks with Dr. David Marcus about how high-conflict divorce affects a child’s emotional wellbeing and what parents can do to help children heal, rebuild trust, and feel emotionally safe again.
Dr. Marcus explains how children absorb stress, anxiety, and conflict even when they cannot express it with words. He shares why some children become people-pleasers, emotionally withdraw, or try to mediate between parents just to survive the emotional chaos around them.
This episode explores:
- The emotional impact of high-conflict divorce on children
- Warning signs of emotional stress and parental alienation
- How children “borrow your okayness” from emotionally grounded parents
- Healthy co-parenting communication and emotional boundaries
- Practical ways to help children process feelings and recover after divorce
Dr. Marcus also shares parenting insights from his upcoming book, Parent Rx: Prescriptive Wisdom, Tips and Strategies for Communication With Your Child.
If you are navigating divorce, co-parenting struggles, blended family challenges, or emotional abuse recovery, this episode offers practical tools to help your children heal and reclaim emotional safety after divorce.
Learn more at: parentrx.org
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Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.