The Mighty Logo

Should I Do Divorce Counseling?

Divorce counseling is a place where couples can go when they’re in the process of trying to ease the pain of divorce. It’s not easy to break free from a marriage you’ve been in for a long time, especially if you have children, but divorce counseling might be the answer to setting yourself free from a relationship that just isn’t working. Just because the marriage is familiar doesn’t mean you have to stay in it. You have one life, and you deserve to be happy living it. There’s no reason to waste your time in a relationship where you feel unfulfilled. Divorce counseling will help you go from an unhappy marriage to living a content life doing what you love. 

What to expect in divorce counseling

Expect that it’s not going to be easy. It’ll be downright hard to talk about the loss of your marriage with a counselor. Expect that your partner might bring up things that you don’t want to talk about because they’re painful. You might be the one initiating the divorce, and your partner might be upset because they don’t want to leave the marriage. Remember that your counselor is there to navigate these complicated issues. Even if you have an amicable relationship, it’s likely that you’ll run into conflict, because that is normal. When you separate and are in the process of getting divorced, conflict is bound to come up. It has to be brought up to be resolved, after all. You might find that there were things your partner was hiding from you that you didn’t know about, but they come up in counseling because it’s a safe place to talk. Lastly, expect that your divorce counselor wants to help you separate peacefully. 

Signs that you could benefit from divorce counseling

You might not know if it’d be helpful for you to go to divorce counseling or not. Maybe you think that you can work it out on your own, but there’s no harm in seeing a mental health professional who can help you separate peacefully if that’s what your goal is. Here are some reasons why you might benefit from it. 

If you and your partner are having difficulty navigating the divorce and could benefit from mediation, divorce counseling is an excellent place to seek it. Maybe you and your partner need someone to help you talk amicably about your divorce. If you’re feeling down, depressed, or anxious about the process of getting a divorce, your divorce counselor will help you work through these problems. It’s an excellent place for you to communicate all the things you’re going through without judgment. Know that if difficult emotional issues arise, you have someone right there who will understand, and that’s your divorce counselor. They’ve worked with myriad couples, and they’ve seen it all, so it is a safe place to go to talk about any of the difficulties that you or your partner are experiencing. 

Seeking help online

It’s a positive thing to seek help from a therapist or counselor when you’re getting divorced. You don’t have to do this alone. You and your partner can work with an experienced mental health professional who has seen numerous couples struggling through a divorce. Whether you work with a counselor online or in your local area, seeking divorce counseling could be a game changer concerning your marriage separation. You don’t have to do this alone. Mental health professionals are there to guide you through this process and help you. 

Getty photo by monkeybusinessimages

Want more of The Mighty?
You can find even more stories on our Home page. There, you’ll also find thoughts and questions by our community.
Take Me Home