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What is a Divorce Coach, and How Do They Differ from a Therapist?

Going through divorce alone is never a good idea!

There is a lot at stake and numerous life-altering decisions to make that will affect every aspect of your life. Hence, it is immensely critical for you to know all your options and process your emotions.

When an employee is reeling through the decision to divorce, they internalize their thoughts and emotions – sometimes for years. 70% of divorce gets filed by women. The average 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 overtly disconcerting decisions and engaging in damaging coping mechanisms.

Working hand in hand with a divorce coach and a mental health therapist structurally and minutely helps them move through the divorce and come out the other side whole.

There are two sides to the divorce journey:

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

2) Emotional, mental, psychological, physical, sexual, family dynamics, and spiritual.

Those two sides rarely interact or intersect in legal paperwork or court but persist in our hearts and mind for longer than we may anticipate.

Importance of working with the right skilled professional can make all the difference. However, many people are stuck and do not 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, like an attorney, real estate, and mortgage professional.

To work as a therapist, you must complete at least six 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 do not get 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. They align with people who desire a greater understanding of their spouse’s behavior, take control of their decisions and understand the specific steps throughout the divorce process.

Additionally, coaches help them 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 all intricacies to expect going ahead.

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

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 perception and the sense of empowerment are intended to urge you 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 holding them back in many areas of your life so you 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 without making pricey and painful mistakes.