Tag: Conflict Resolution

What You Need to Know About Divorce with Dr. Lydia Richardson (Part 2)

What You Need to Know About Divorce with Dr. Lydia Richardson (Part 2)

What role do emotions play in navigating divorce, especially when children are involved?

Nicole Romito from Private Vista is back with Dr. Lydia Richardson for part two of their series on dealing with divorce. While part one focused on self-care for adults, this installment dives into supporting children through the emotional ups and downs of their parents’ separation. 

Dr. Richardson, a seasoned clinical psychologist specializing in family dynamics, brings her insights on minimizing the negative impacts of divorce on children. From establishing consistent routines to managing difficult conversations, this episode is packed with practical tips and candid discussions.

Key conversations include:

  • The impact of divorce on children of various ages [05:35]
  • Essential behaviors to avoid during this difficult time [06:22]
  • The importance of parental self-awareness and control [15:19]
  • Strategies for creating a stable environment during transitions [20:26]
  • Navigating co-parenting challenges while keeping kids’ best interests at heart [26:16]
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Dr. Lydia Richardson:

About Our Guest: 

Lydia Richardson is a licensed clinical psychologist, Divorce Mediator, Collaborative Law Coach, and Child Specialist who has provided services to adults, couples, and families in a variety of settings since 2004. She is fluent in Spanish and Danish; her multicultural background enables her to bring cultural sensitivity and competence to all aspects of her work, and she is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life. Her business experience in banking and finance gives her a unique perspective and ability to problem-solve effectively and work efficiently to help clients achieve their goals. She earned her B.A. from New York University (Economics/Politics) and worked in business and finance for several years before returning to school to study psychology. She earned her M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology and her doctorate in clinical psychology (both from Roosevelt University). She has worked extensively with the families of children with developmental disorders, in foster care, and with adolescents in juvenile detention. She is also trained in neuropsychological assessment of adults and children and has consulted to companies seeking executive coaching and team-building.

She is a Past President of the Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI) Board of Directors and continues to serve on the Board as the Vice President of Mental Health. She is passionate about and hopes to promote alternative dispute resolution and help facilitate less conflict in divorce so as to promote happier families and more productive co-parenting. She believes that families can transcend the difficulty of divorce and evolve into happy and productive individuals and co-parents. She is a member of other professional organizations, including the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She also enjoys teaching graduate psychology courses at Roosevelt University in Chicago and providing consultation to other mental health professionals.

A native New Yorker, she has lived in Chicago for over 20 years and calls it home. She is the proud mother of three children who are all in graduate school now, forging their own futures as fellow peacemakers. In her spare time, she is outdoors as much as possible, biking, hiking, skiing, and walking the Chicago lakefront.

Finding Calmness During the Holidays With Brendan Cournane (Ep. 33)

Finding Calmness During the Holidays With Brendan Cournane (Ep. 33)

The year-end holidays can be the most stressful time of the year, from family gatherings and tensions to tight deadlines at work.

But what if we told you they don’t have to be?

In this episode, Nicole speaks with professional development coach Brendan Cournane about stress management. They focus on managing the stress that comes with the holiday season and the pressures of closing business deals by year-end. Coach Brendan shares strategies for managing stress, such as practicing mindfulness, meditation, and curiosity. He also emphasizes the importance of open communication and taking pauses in conversations for reflection.

Brendan discusses: 

  • How to manage stress revolving around family and during year-end at work, in preparation for the holidays
  • The benefits of practicing calming exercises like meditation and mindfulness
  • How to approach challenging situations with curiosity
  • How to communicate about pressures at work with family members
  • Techniques for finding calmness and acceptance during the holidays
  • Why silence is okay and the role it plays in healthy open communication
  • How the ribbon method helps him through tough moments why harnessing happy memories
  • And more

 

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Brendan Cournane:

About our Guest: 

Brendan Cournane has served as a partner in a national law firm and various roles in the public sector, including general counsel of the Illinois finance authority. He has seen the malaise and burnout effects of what happens when one’s core values do not align with one’s profession. As a recovering lawyer, he is now a professional development coach helping his clients understand why they do what they do in life, and he helps them align their core values with how they work and live a happier life. Brendan is a certified professional coach and leadership dynamic specialist, as well as a long-time practitioner of mindfulness and meditation, and is a firm believer that happiness is a present attitude, not a future condition.