What is Separation and Divorce Counselling?
How to move forward with less conflict and more acceptance
When a marriage ends, it’s emotionally painful - even traumatic - especially if children are involved. The process of separation and divorce, takes a mental, physical, and financial toll on the entire family. Along the way, stress can lead to anger and conflicts arise. Separation and divorce counselling can help you resolve your issues in a healthier, more constructive way.
How can separation and divorce counselling help?
People who go through a separation or divorce, often experience feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, depression, grief and shame. Counselling can help you gain a new perspective about your relationship and make sense of the end of your marriage.
Working with a mental health professional can also provide strategies to ensure that the divorce is achieved with minimal emotional damage.
Through counselling you can learn the skills you will need to cope emotionally and work through the challenges ahead. You can learn more about yourself and can come to see this life transition as a moment for growth and personal development.
With counselling you may even be able to learn more about what you require and desire from a marriage, and may discover more about your own personal nature and characteristics.
How to cope and move forward
It may seem impossible to communicate effectively when emotions and anger are high - especially if infidelity or disrespectful behaviours are involved. But there is a way to cope with what you are feeling and what you are going through and move forward.
Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to “not be ok”. You may not be quite as productive or feel “yourself”. This is a major life transition and you will need time to heal, regroup and find your new normal.
Feel your feelings. It is not unusual to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated, confused and ashamed— these feelings are intense. You’re also probably worried about the future and even if your marriage was unhealthy, moving forward with uncertainty and heading into the unknown is frightening. However, believe that these emotional reactions will reduce in intensity over time.
Don’t go through this alone. Isolating yourself can raise your stress levels, and can negatively impact your work, relationships and mental health. It’s important to share how you are feeling with those friends and family who can help you get through this difficult period. If this isn’t possible, there are support groups available that you can join where you can talk to others in similar situations.
Don’t be afraid to get outside help if you need it. Sometimes, time cannot heal all wounds and you may need support to process your emotions so you don’t get stuck in grief, shame or depression. Working with a therapist to identify what is setting you back instead of moving forward is a first step. If you understand why your relationship didn’t work out - you can make better choices for yourself and future relationships.
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And, sometimes love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
