What You Need to Know About Divorce with Dr. Lydia Richardson (Part 1)

By Nicole Young on April 30, 2025

EPISODE 63 OF THE DOLLAR$ AND $ENSE: CREATING YOUR FULFILLED LIFE PODCAST WITH NICOLE ROMITO

💔 What if divorce didn’t have to mean devastation, but instead, became a path to healing, clarity, and even joy?

In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Dr. Lydia Richardson, a clinical psychologist and divorce mediator, to talk about what a “good divorce” really looks like.

Together, they explore the emotional weight of this life-altering decision and how you can honor both your personal truth and your future well-being.

If you’re standing at a crossroads in your marriage, know this: you’re not alone, and there is a way forward that centers your strength, your voice, and your vision for what’s next.

Key discussion points include:

Navigating the marathon of divorce with patience and self-awareness [00:06:34]
Finding joy in life post-divorce and breaking unhealthy patterns [00:16:42]
The difference between a coach and a therapist in the divorce process [00:25:29]
Utilizing a collaborative approach for a healthier transition [00:27:20]
And more!

Resources:

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).

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