Co-Parenting After Divorce Chaos: Healing, Harmony & Hard Conversations with Dr. Sherri Psych

In this powerful episode of *Legally Uncensored*, host Demetria L. Graves welcomes Dr. Sherri Simpson-Broadwater, a double board-certified psychiatrist and co-founder of Healing for All in Atlanta, to explore the emotional and psychological realities of co-parenting after divorce. Drawing from her own childhood experience of witnessing her father’s departure during a divorce, Dr. Sherri emphasizes that divorce is not just a legal process but a profound emotional journey for both adults and children. She stresses the importance of safety assessments, radical acceptance of the new reality, and prioritizing mental health over conflict. The conversation unpacks how unresolved trauma, poor relationship selection, and lack of family therapy can perpetuate cycles of dysfunction. Dr. Sherri advocates for structured healing—suggesting a minimum of six to twelve months of consistent therapy before considering new relationships—and highlights the critical need for family-centered healing, not just individual counseling. The episode underscores that peace in co-parenting isn’t found in court documents but in daily choices: setting boundaries, avoiding escalation, and centering children’s needs. Dr. Sherri challenges the myth that divorce is a clean break, revealing how emotional attachment, shame, and identity loss make leaving harder than staying. She calls for a redefinition of abuse to include emotional escalation and control, not just physical violence. The conversation ends with a call to action: healing is not optional—it’s foundational to healthy co-parenting. A follow-up episode is promised, deepening the exploration of trauma, identity, and resilience.