Putting the Pieces Together After They Come Apart

Divorce counseling is a specialty in the field of counseling.

In today's society, divorce is becoming prevalent. Over 50% of all marriages end in divorce.

Those individuals who find themselves in a divorce situation are set adrift in a sea of new emotions and life responsibilities.

Questions such as:

• Why me?
• How do I start again?
• How do I raise my children alone?
• How do I co-parent with my ex-spouse?
• What about dating?
• Remarriage?
• Blended families?
• What about job and finances?

New tools are needed in your tool bag to deal with all these scary issues!

What Does a Divorce Counselor Do? There are several areas with which a divorce counselor is concerned.

1. Rebuilding New Lives

   Divorce is one of the most traumatic experiences a person must face. Divorce is the death of a relationship. There is no socially acceptable way to mourn this kind of death. From the mourning process emerges either a stronger personality, or an emotional basket case.

   The purpose of divorce counseling is to help people rebuild new, constructive lives from the ashes of their divorce.

2. Fostering Constructive Communication

   When young children are involved in a divorce, it usually means that the couple must communicate for the next 15-20 years. Divorce counseling helps couples learn how to effectively deal with issues concerning child rearing, visitation, grandparents, etc.

   Constructive communication is imperative if there is to be a "successful" divorce that does not inflict emotional damage to the children.

3. Evaluation

   Often troubled couples use a divorce threat as a weapon. Attorneys are sought out. A marriage ends, or an attorney finds him or herself in an inappropriate counseling role.

   A divorce counselor can be used to screen potential clients for an attorney. This saves time for the attorney and heartache for the couple.

   If divorce is really the course they wish to pursue, the couple is referred to an appropriate attorney. If marriage counseling is the decided course, then they are referred to the proper agency for marriage counseling.