Divorce Coach or Therapist: What You Need to Know

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, and sex therapy.

Divorce Coach

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.

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 us help you find your team so you have the support you need to have the outcome you deserve!