Understanding Divorce Coaching and How It Can Help
Divorce coaching is a goal-oriented process designed to help individuals navigate the complexities of divorce. Unlike therapists who focus on emotional healing or lawyers who handle legal issues, divorce coaches guide clients through decision-making, goal setting, and planning for post-divorce life. They offer ongoing support, providing perspectives that aid in making informed, long-term decisions while helping clients manage emotional, legal, and financial challenges. Certified Divorce Coaches® are key to ensuring a less stressful divorce process, with holistic support that helps avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary legal costs.
What is Divorce Coaching?
The American Bar Association defines divorce coaching as a flexible, goal-oriented process designed to support, motivate, and guide people through divorce. Although it is a relatively new profession, divorce coaching plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate one of life’s most stressful events.
The Role of a Divorce Coach
Divorce coaching bridges the gap between a therapist and a family lawyer. While therapists address past traumas and lawyers handle legalities, divorce coaches focus on future goals. They help clients define their divorce objectives, guiding them through decision-making and planning for post-divorce life.
A Certified Divorce Coach® brings expertise in the divorce process and helps clients avoid common emotional pitfalls. By offering different perspectives and ensuring clients have all the relevant information, divorce coaches help make sound, long-term decisions.
Divorce Coaching vs. Family Mediation
While both divorce coaching and family mediation aim to reduce the emotional and financial costs of divorce, they serve different purposes. Family mediators facilitate agreements between couples, while divorce coaches work with individuals to prepare them for negotiations and overall divorce management.
Divorce coaches offer ongoing support, regardless of the chosen divorce route, helping with legal arrangements and personal challenges like co-parenting and confidence-building.
Choosing the Right Divorce Coach
Divorce coaching is an unregulated profession, so it is essential to choose a fully Certified Divorce Coach® who adheres to professional ethics. Free initial meetings can help ensure a good fit. Investing in a divorce coach can save money in the long run by avoiding unnecessary legal fees and court hearings.
Case Study: Gemma’s Decision
Consider Gemma, who is deciding whether to stay in the family house post-divorce. She would consult her lawyer about legal rights, her therapist for emotional support, and a financial advisor for affordability. Her divorce coach would help her consider the long-term implications, explore alternatives, and ensure an informed decision.
Conclusion
Divorce coaches provide holistic support, combining legal, emotional, financial, and social aspects of divorce. By working with a Certified Divorce Coach®, individuals can navigate divorce more confidently and avoid making decisions based on short-term emotions.
