Divorce can be complicated. There are many aspects to it that don’t have anything to do with the legal process itself. Coping with a variety of feelings, trying to figure out what your future will look like, learning new ways of dealing with your changing world – how can a person going through divorce address these issues? Where can you get the divorce coaching and divorce support you need to get through the process in the best way possible?
One way is by working with a Divorce Coach who can help you get clarity on what your values and priorities are, and how you will use them to make decisions during the divorce process and after. A Divorce Coach is someone who will be “in your corner” to guide you, support you and cheer you on.
What is a Divorce Coach?
A Divorce Coach is a professional who specializes in assisting people to be their best selves while going through the divorce process, and to plan their best futures after the divorce. Twenty or so years ago, we saw a surge of life coaches, and the concept of a divorce coach evolved as a specialty in this field.
What training/background do Divorce Coaches have?
Most Divorce Coaches have a counseling background with training in mediation and family dynamics. However, some have come from the legal or financial professions, and have decided to focus their work on coaching people through divorce issues. There are institutions which offer certifications for Divorce Coaches, but there are no official standards or programs for such certifications, so anyone can call themselves a Divorce Coach. You’ll want to look for someone who has a combination of professional education and experience in the areas that will address your particular needs.
What do they cost?
The average cost per hour is $100 to $150, but this can vary based on geographical location. Some coaches offer packages where prepaying for a series of sessions will result in a lower cost per hour.
How can a Divorce Coach help?
Depending on what your needs are, a Divorce Coach can be of assistance by:
- being a good listener and sounding board as you define who you are, who you want to be, and what your goals and priorities are
- giving you a chance to vent and offering suggestions on how to cope with all the negative emotions
- offering objective guidance – not legal advice, not therapy, but assistance in discovering your authentic self and help in planning the pathway to your desired future
- teaching you how to communicate with your ex in ways that reduce confrontations and conflict
- helping you to set boundaries
- working with you to explore issues such as co-parenting with your ex after the divorce, or starting to date again
- being your cheerleader as you take the steps towards living a happier life
At Divorce With Dignity (findaprovider.dwdignity.com), we provide a safe place for you to talk about your divorce situation. In addition to helping you with filing the divorce papers with the courts, we offer guidance through the divorce maze, and help in negotiating and resolving issues to create a fair and peaceful divorce settlement. If you feel the need for additional help in defining goals, managing feelings, and deciding how you want to handle yourself during the divorce to be true to your best self, we can refer you to a trusted Divorce Coach to be part of your divorce support team. Let us help you build your support team as we work together to achieve your divorce – with dignity and integrity.
The author of this blog is not an attorney and the information contained in these blogs should not be considered legal advice. The information provided here is based on the experience of the author and some of her clients whose actual names are not mentioned. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of an attorney if you have any legal questions.
