How Can Divorce Coaching Help

Divorce coaching is more goal-directed and focused than therapy, and tends to be of shorter duration. It seeks to educate the divorcing person about the stages of divorce and how the legal process can impact divorcing individuals. When there are children, relevant issues about their best interests, parenting and co-parenting are discussed.

After this period of education, time is spent identifying emotional triggers and how those might arise at various stages of the legal process. Techniques such as role-playing are used to alleviate anxiety and support the client’s ability to participate, communicate and made decisions. Coaching clarifies the client’s experiences in the legal system and in divorce and removes barriers to effective participation in the legal processes and life.

Coaching can also be tailored to meet the needs and wishes of the particular client. Some clients need coaching in perceiving their own needs; others require stress reduction techniques that help reduce or contain harmful emotions; others want support in their pursuit of healing, recovery, and spiritual perspective.

Using a divorce coach is cost-effective. The presence of a coach can increase efficiency in the divorce process thereby lowering overall cost. The presence of a coach can be healing in a time when sense-of-self and relationships are fracturing. And because a coach under the Collaborative Law model has a mental health background, referral can be made to appropriate resources for therapy if needed.

Jody Sorenson is licensed as a lawyer and psychologist. She previously supervised the

custody evaluation team at Adams Community Mental Health Center. She now maintains a private practice in Wheat Ridge, and specializes in coaching individuals involved in a legal proceeding, assessment services to provide parenting plans for preliminary orders, mediation of parenting plans and co-parenting issues, special advocacy and consulting as a child specialist.