Dec 5, 2025
Using Self-Compassion practices after divorce can help both parents and children. Divorce and/or separation is a stressful but quite common experience for both parents and children. Children often carry guilt, shame, and anger along with many other big feelings that parents often feel ill-equipped to address. In her book, “Two Times as Much Love” Eileen Beltzner tells the story of Alexander, a third-grader struggling with the emotional aftermath of his parents’ divorce, and his journey toward self-understanding and personal growth. Beltzner uses engaging storytelling and therapeutic tools rooted in mindfulness and self-compassion. The book models a deep respect for children’s inner emotional lives, showing how events like divorce and social rejection can deeply affect a child’s self-worth and worldview.
Listen to our conversation with therapist and author Eileen Beltzner as she draws upon her many years of experience to walk us through how children navigate massive life and family changes like divorce.
Eileen Beltzner is a child and family therapist, social worker, and author. She worked as a special care counselor, curriculum writer for children with special needs, and parent-infant therapist. She also established a private practice and developed an employee wellness program of a large hospital. She is a certified mindful self-compassion teacher and trainer, serving several years as a senior faculty member at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, Canada. Her previous books are: The Handbook for First- Time Parents (1987) and How to Tame the Tumbles the Mindful Self-Compassionate Way (2019).
Eileen Beltzner’s book is a parent and child read-together story that introduces a number of evidence-based and inner-strength-building practices (e.g., breathing, movement, and thought-challenging strategies). The clarity of the writing and the emotional depth of the story make it both accessible and impactful for readers of all ages, while the practical tools offer real-life value for families navigating relational challenges.
Listen to our conversation with Eileen Beltzner to learn more about creating a unique plan to help parents and kids rebuild their confidence after divorce.
If you are interested in learning about Eileen Beltzner’s unique insights, this podcast is for you.