I had to switch school after my parents' divorce. Same situation, I wasn't great at making friends and I had been at my old school since I was in kindergarten.
I will be happy to provide thoughts on my experience to help you both through this.
I also work with kids with severe social anxiety.
I would start by reminding her that few people are born with inherent social skills. It's a learned skill. She can do this.
Keep it simple right now...keep reminding her of her unique qualities that make her special. No one else is like her.
And, remind her that...while this situation isn't what she hoped for...in the long run...she will learn skills that will make her more successful. She is amazing. She will be great. Learning how to make friends and switch gears are two major life skills and may make her amazingly successful and content in the future...although it may not feel like it now.
I was that girl. The girl who had a parent skip out and she had switch schools. I went from a country bumpkin school to an affluent, all girls' school.
I will help where I can. Just know that she needs reassurance that she is capable of doing this...even if she doesn't feel like it...AND, that she is loved just the way she is. She doesn't have to do this perfectly. :-)
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
