The Benefits of Therapy During Divorce
Posted on January 23, 2018 in
The process of separating or divorcing from your partner can be challenging and emotional – both in facing the end of a relationship and in dealing with the legal process that comes with it. But you do not have to go through it alone. While finding an attorney who will take your emotions into consideration is important, attorneys are primarily focused on your legal well-being rather than your emotional well-being. Marriage and family therapists can provide excellent advice and emotional support at a time when you need it most. Here are a couple of ways in which you can benefit from therapy during separation or divorce:
Come to terms with your decision to separate or divorce. The process of separation and divorce is stressful, and for some, even traumatic. With a marriage or family therapist, you can explore these emotions and address the issues that are troubling you. Therapists can also prepare you for the potential fallout of the situation. If you are considering divorce but have not started the process yet, a therapist can help you decide if divorce is the right step for you.
Gain perspective and closure. If your marriage or partnership has fallen apart, you may be dealing with feelings of failure or guilt due to societal or personal expectations around relationships. This, in turn, can impact your overall self-esteem and confidence. Therapists can help you process all of these feelings. They can also help you understand why the relationship ended, grieve the relationship, and gain closure.
Develop coping mechanisms. Separating yourself from another person can be extremely painful, especially if you need to continue interacting with them because you have children together. That is why it is important to develop coping methods for dealing with these emotions, as well as handling stressful interactions. Therapists can also help you to acquire the tools you will need to build new, future relationships – without repeating any old, problematic patterns.
Adjust to life post-separation or post-divorce. The act of separation or divorce affects you, your children, family members, and even your friends. A therapist can help prepare you for having difficult conversations with those in your life, and teach you how to create healthy boundaries with all parties affected by or involved in the divorce. Divorce also requires you to manage new logistics like moving, adjusting to a new budget, or creating a new schedule for your children. A therapist can help you manage the stress of these transitions so you can focus on creating a positive next phase of your life.
Improve your legal experience. Working with a therapist during your divorce can actually help you have a smoother and less expensive legal experience. Many people going through a divorce are experiencing pain and anger, but negotiating from that perspective leads costly and stressful litigations. If you are working with a therapist to help you process the emotions of the experience, this will help you be open to your attorney’s advice, to make strategic decisions that keep costs down, and to work towards a productive future for yourself (rather than litigating as a way to get back at your ex).
During the process of separation or divorce, a marriage or family therapist can assist you in coping with the changes in your life and learning how to lay the groundwork for future happiness. If you would like your litigation experience to be productive, then you also need an attorney who is sensitive to your emotions but will advise you when your emotions are creating roadblocks in the litigation process. Whether you are just starting to consider divorce or are substantially into a litigation that has become much more overwhelming than expected, Porchlight can help. Contact us at max@ruthmarlaw.com or (678) 435-9069.