Going through divorce alone is never a good idea!

There is too much at stake and too many life-altering decisions to make that will affect every aspect of your life to not know all your options and process your emotions.

When one is faced with the decision to divorce they internalize their thoughts and emotions sometimes for years.

70% of divorce is filed by women and the average amount of time women (and men) internally contemplate divorce before they utter a word of their thoughts and feelings to anyone (even their bff) is TWO years! Living in constant fear, overwhelm and confusion leads to making very bad decisions and engaging in damaging coping mechanisms.

Working hand in hand with a divorce coach and a mental health therapist is of great importance to help them move through the divorce and come out the other side whole.

There are two sides to the divorce journey:

Judicial, legal, financial, residential, lending/mortgage, insurance, tax ramifications and co-parenting/custody

Emotional, mental, psychological, physical, sexual, family dynamics and spiritual

Those two sides rarely interact nor intersect in legal paperwork or court but collide in our hearts and mind and control the entire journey.

The importance of working with the right skilled professional can make all the difference. However, many people are stuck and don’t know whom to turn to for help.

Who are these professionals that can help and what is the role they play?

What is the difference between a divorce coach and a mental health therapist?

A Therapist is Licensed in a state much like an attorney, real estate and mortgage professional are. To work as a therapist, you must complete at least 6 years of post-secondary education, pass state licensure examinations, and maintain a current license. State boards oversee the licensing of therapists. Some therapists will prescribe medicine. Therapists can also assist people to detect mental health illnesses and overcome the challenges that come with them.

Although some independent schools may certify divorce coaches, formal academic education is not required. Most states do not have licensing requirements for divorce coaches, and they are not controlled by any  ONE governing body. There are several routes divorce coaches can take to hone their craft.

Divorce coaches do not screen for mental health issues, thus they are successfully used by people who are in stable mental health but desire a greater understanding of their spouse’s behavior, take control of their decisions, understand the specific steps throughout the divorce process, know all their options, avoid making costly mistakes, how to protect their children, learn the tools they need to communicate effectively during the transition to co-parent, learn which professionals they may need to work with, how to save money on legal fees, know what to do with the marital home, how to be eligible for a new mortgage or “buy out” their spouse, receive assistance setting and achieving life goals rebuild their life after.

A Divorce Coach Guides You Through the divorce process

Divorce coaches are familiar with the divorce process and what to expect along the road.

They assist you in preparing for the practical measures required to help you achieve your divorce goals.

They can provide you with guidance and point you in the right direction.

The practical, step-by-step process of divorce is not the expertise of a therapist.

A Therapist digs deeper to assist you in identifying and resolving past issues.

A Divorce Coach guides your employee to feel empowered during the divorce process and will provide them with a neutral point of view to aid in their understanding and perspective. This newfound knowledge and perspective, as well as the sense of empowerment, are intended to urge them forward in the direction of your objectives.

On the other hand, a therapist delves deeper into their problems, assisting them in identifying their source and resolving them so that they no longer hold them back. They help identify thought and behavior patterns that are holding them back in many areas of your life so they may correct them and move on with new, more successful ways.

Which one should someone going through divorce choose? Depending on the scenario, they may require the services of a therapist and a divorce coach. Determining which one is needed at the right time will guide them as they move forward with the divorce process in the right direction without making costly and painful mistakes.