The end of a relationship is never easy. Whether it has lasted for one or ten years, the final conclusion of a marriage can be deeply wounding.
Current data suggests that nearly half of all first marriages will eventually lead to separation or divorce. People require a degree of reassurance and encouragement to better handle the hardships that come with this.
Sometimes, the support of family, friends, and peers can be enough, but other times, you may need something more.
The purpose of divorce counseling is to help people maneuver the end of a relationship – both in legal and emotional terms. Let’s talk about when to seek out divorce counseling, what to expect, and how it can help you.
What is Divorce Counseling?
Divorce counseling is a form of therapy that helps couples, or individuals, deal with and manage the entire divorce. Therapy doesn’t start once you draw up and sign the papers. Divorce counseling can guide and assist you before, during, and following the separation.
Divorce therapy can benefit both partners and make the divorce easier to handle emotionally, legally, and logistically. It also helps couples maintain a civil and cooperative demeanor with each other throughout the break-up.
Remaining respectful is always important, but especially so when children are involved. Divorce counseling isn’t beneficial only to the separating parties, but to any family members that can get caught up in the affair.
What is the Main Purpose of Divorce Counseling?
The primary purpose of divorce counseling is to aid the couple seeking help – whatever that may entail. Different people will require different means of support and can benefit from therapy in individual ways.
Sometimes both partners agree to terminate the relationship, other times, one partner may want to salvage the marriage, or they may both be unsure of how to proceed.
Divorce counselors will guide you through the experience, equip you with appropriate tools to handle the situation, and help you reach a decision. They cannot, will not, and should not make the decision of ending a relationship for you.
Benefits of Divorce Counseling
However unpleasant it may be, there’s no denying that divorce is a huge moment in a person’s life. During and following this event, major life changes will occur. Therapy prepares you to better face upcoming challenges.
Divorce counseling can, in particular, help you:
- Manage any negative emotions that emerge – such as anger, sadness, depression, etc;
- Handle the legal process;
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms and habits to face future challenges;
- Communicate and cooperate with your spouse during and following the divorce;
- Understand why the relationship ended and the role you played;
As mentioned, counseling can benefit not only the separating couple but also children and other family members.
Marriage Counseling – Does Therapy Cause Divorce?
Marriage counseling is the first form of therapy a couple will seek out. Usually, this is done in the hopes of saving a deteriorating relationship.
However, while partners give couples therapy a go because they are looking to salvage the marriage, this may not always work out. Matter of fact, the primary goal of couple’s therapy isn’t to repair your relationship at all, but rather to arrive at the best outcome for everyone involved.
A marriage counselor can help a couple mend their bond and stay together. However, sometimes therapy reveals issues that can’t be resolved and can lead partners to realize that divorce may be the best option.
From here, other forms of therapy can assist couples in the separation process.
What is Counseling Before Divorce Meant to Do?
Undergoing counseling before separating can help you lay everything out on the table and be sure of your decision – no matter what choice you’ve made. All types of couples counseling will help participants communicate better, reflect on the relationship and the source of the issues.
If you want to make sure that divorce is the right option, or if one partner still wants to attempt reconciliation, you may be in need of pre-divorce discernment counseling.
What Is a Discernment Counselor?
Couples typically seek out a discernment counselor when at least one of them is considering leaving the partnership.
While marriage counseling helps patients build healthy communication methods and trust in the hopes of repairing a union, discernment therapy is only concerned with whether or not you should attempt salvaging the relationship at all. Discernment counseling can help people decide if they want to stay married or go ahead with a divorce.
Therapy also helps former partners maintain a respectful attitude towards one another, and better communicate following the dissolution of their romantic relationship. This is particularly helpful when the couple has children and opts to co-parent.
According to data gathered on the impact of discernment therapy, the majority of participants report that their relationships with their former partner post-divorce were cooperative in one way or another.
Post-divorce Counseling
Research has found that people who have had a history of major depressive disorder are more likely to suffer a depressive episode following the split. Even if someone hasn’t struggled emotionally before the marriage ended, can benefit from post-divorce counseling.
Therapy can offer support and help you maintain a healthy emotional state following a huge life-altering event. In a time of re-building, some people may find post-divorce counseling to be an indispensable asset.
How Do You Counsel a Divorced Person?
The finalization of a divorce doesn’t mean the end of your journey. Post-divorce therapy helps you deal with the aftermath of the entire process.
Post-divorce counseling will work on providing encouragement in creating a new life independent from the marriage and resolving any residual negative emotions regarding your divorce or former spouse.
Verdict – When to Seek Out Divorce Counseling
Divorce counseling has shown to be effective in helping people both during and following a divorce, so you can reach out for help any time you feel the need.
If you’re having a negative emotional reaction, find it difficult to remain amicable with your spouse, or see the break-up having a negative effect on your children – you should consider divorce counseling.
While it will never be a pleasant experience, therapy can make separation a lot easier on all involved parties. So, whether you’re thinking about a divorce or are in the process of finalizing it- divorce counseling can help you navigate life in trying times.
Currently residing in Arizona, John shares his home with two beloved pets - a very cute dog and a cat. Although they don't always see eye-to-eye, John's furry companions bring him joy and inspiration, serving as a constant reminder of the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships.
With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, John is a true asset to the counselingreviews.com team. Whether he's writing about the latest research on mental health or offering practical advice for managing stress, John's expertise and insight are always in high demand.
If you're looking for well-researched and informative content that can help you improve your mental and emotional well-being, be sure to check out John's articles on counselingreviews.com. His writing is sure to provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need to overcome life's challenges and achieve your goals.
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