What support is offered by a divorce coach?

A divorce coach provides emotional support and practical advice that helps people to navigate the divorce process during one of life’s most challenging times. While a family lawyer deals with child arrangements and the legal and financial aspects of the divorce, the divorce coach complements the process by helping people to deal with the emotional fallout.

Divorce is a highly emotional and traumatic life event. At a time when people are expected to make life-changing decisions, the level of distress and overwhelm can feel intolerable.

This often manifests as avoidance, where someone feels unable to make any decisions and constantly puts off making any. Alternatively, it can lead to impulse decision making, whereby the person reacts to demands without fully appreciating the consequences.

The support offered by a divorce coach 

A trained and experienced divorce coach can provide the space to help you manage your emotions and fears.

Specifically, they help to:

• Work through your emotional reactions and fears for the future
• Work out what is important to you
• Stay focused on your priorities
• Focus on the decisions that need to be made and the implications of legal advice
• Prepare you for meetings or court hearings with research and questions aligned with your priorities
• Manage your expectations and encourage a realistic mindset
• Develop ways of thinking, behaving and communicating that minimise conflict and reduce confrontation

How does coaching work with the legal process?

While your family lawyer deals with the legal side of your divorce, it helps to think of a coach as a valuable team member that focuses on supporting you through the emotional trauma of the divorce.

This allows your lawyer to focus on getting the best possible outcome for you and your family, while the work you do with your coach can help reduce delays, provide clarity when making decisions and minimise any emotionally driven conflict.

Good coaching will help to reduce family conflict and tension during the divorce process, seek to protect the emotional and mental health of any children and help you to engage more constructively with your legal team.

How the coaching works

Your coach will be there for you throughout the duration of your divorce, as required. Always have an initial consultation with a coach to ensure you are a good fit for each other. Sessions are usually bi-weekly or monthly, but there may be times when they are needed more regularly.

For those in a high conflict situation, having difficulty co-parenting with their ex-partner, stressed about going to court or struggling to rebuild their life post-divorce, the support of a divorce coach can be particularly valuable.

How to find a reputable divorce coach

Many law firms now regularly work with divorce coaches and will be able to recommend tried and tested coaches. Do be aware that divorce coaching is unregulated and to protect yourself do establish whether any potential coach has a recognised coaching qualification and is a member of a professional coaching body.

If you are struggling with issues arising from separation and divorce, we offer a no obligation initial consultation for a fixed fee of £150 (incl. VAT), for up to one hour. At this meeting, we can advise you on all the issues relating to your personal circumstances, allowing you to make informed decisions moving forward.

To book an appointment please call 01444 472700, email us at info@tisshawssolicitors.co.uk or complete the form below.