You’ve tried it all to make this marriage work – including couples therapy.
And now you’ve made a decision to begin the divorce process.
You may be struggling with the emotional overwhelm of this time in your life.
There are so many feelings we have to deal with when we’re going through this life-changing event.
You may be struggling with fear, anxiety, anger, loneliness, grief and loss to name a few.
And you realize that you can’t do it alone.
How do you know who to get help from?
Should you work with a divorce coach or do you need a therapist?
Let’s talk about the differences between coaching and therapy to help you determine what you need right now.
Therapist
A therapist is licensed by a state board and may or may not be able to prescribe medication.
They use methods that are psychological in nature to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders and dysfunctions.
These may include behavioral disorders, interpersonal relationships, sexual dysfunction, alcoholism, and substance abuse.
The practice of mental health counseling may include psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, or various other modalities of treatment.
Divorce Coach
Have you been thinking about divorce for months, years, or even decades?
Usually, I find that my divorce coaching clients are finally ready to take that next step and begin to consider separation or divorce.
What they are struggling with is what they do now.
How do you have that difficult conversation with your spouse and what do you say?
So often, couples have had that conversation many times and maybe even separated at one time.
This is different and the way you are going to communicate your intentions will make a huge difference in how this is going to go.
What do you do next?
Do you have a plan/strategy or do you just go out and retain an attorney that a friend or family member tells you is the best in town?
Is that truly your first step?
How do you know if there might be some other options or processes?
That is where a divorce coach is critical.
First, a divorce coach cannot provide legal or financial advice, but certainly is trained in all facets of divorce and is able to provide legal, financial, and co-parenting information.
The American Bar Association defines divorce coaching as a flexible, goal-oriented process designed to support, motivate, and guide people going through divorce to help them make the best possible decisions for their future, based on their particular interests, needs, and concerns.
Divorce coaches have different professional backgrounds and are selected based on the specific needs of the clients.
For example, some divorce coaches are financial planners, mental health professionals, lawyers, or mediators who have experience dealing with divorcing clients.
For me, my particular background is in therapy and mediation.
What to expect
A therapist digs deeper to help you identify and resolve past difficulties, whereas a divorce coach will help you to feel empowered through the process of the divorce and give you an objective point of view to help you gain understanding and perspective.
A therapist may help you with issues from your past where a divorce coach is future focused on what your next steps could be and give you the guidance and support to move you in the direction of your goals.
Depending on your situation, you may need a therapist or a divorce coach.
Because divorce is so stressful, it’s very difficult to think clearly and make good and rational decisions about your future.
That is why having someone who can be your thinking partner, your advocate, “your person” who can walk down the path with you is so critical.
By determining which one you need right now, you will best be able to move on with the divorce process so that you are not stuck in the overwhelm of emotions that divorce can create.
Let’s talk about whether divorce coaching can help you. Please schedule a complimentary call with me today! Having the guidance you need will help relieve the anxiety and stress you may be feeling as well as provide information and save you from making costly mistakes.
You don’t need to do this alone.