The Role of Personal Therapy in Divorce

One of the questions I am likely to ask any new client is whether he or she is seeing a therapist. I always follow up the question with a quick reassurance that I ask all of my clients this question. And I do so for a very good reason. Any attorney practicing in the area of divorce and separation will tell you that for most if not all clients going through this life-changing event, mental health support is critical.

This adage applies as much to the spouse who, emotionally or otherwise, left the relationship long ago, as it does to the spouse who is struggling to pick up the pieces after a sudden abandonment. Whether the emotions at play are anger, fear, resentment, sorrow, betrayal or regret, the ability to work through the personal trauma of divorce in a safe, supported space away from one’s spouse and the divorce process is invaluable.
 
Individual therapy also greatly increases the chance of reaching a divorce settlement faster and more economically. Among the most common roadblocks to settlement are unresolved emotional issues, which cannot be adequately addressed in a legal process. Even in a Collaborative Divorce process, which generally includes the use of a neutral mental professional, individual counseling provides significant value to each spouse.
 
If you are looking at the possibility of divorce, consider engaging a personal therapist to support your individual emotional needs during the process. At the very least, therapy allows for a smoother and more thoughtful transition to a new life.  For many, it can be a prerequisite to a successful outcome in both the divorce process and beyond.