Collaborative Practice
I am part of a team of trained professionals who work with a divorcing couple to make the divorce transition as painless as possible. We are trained in the “Collaborative Divorce” method which is an interdisciplinary team approach that supports the whole system while attending to the emotional needs of the individuals involved.
The end of a marriage or relationship can be tragic enough. Often, the process of divorcing only adds to the pain. You and your spouse or partner may come to see each other as adversaries and the divorce as a battleground. You may experience feelings of confusion, anger, loss, and conflict. Under such circumstances, you might find it difficult to see an end to divorce, much less imagine a hopeful future afterwards.
With Collaborative Divorce, it doesn’t have to be that way. Collaborative Divorce is process-oriented towards the post-divorce living and relating. This approach draws upon the inherent strengths of the individuals and addresses power struggles with the goal of personal empowerment and positive choice for all involved.
There is no court involvement in Collaborative Divorce, so costs are much less than traditional divorce. In addition, you make decisions about your family, not a judge. You may choose to have on your team an attorney, facilitator, financial specialist, coach, and child specialist.
I work as a Spousal Coach or Child Specialist. As a Spousal Coach, I work with one spouse to help manage the pain and strain of changing relationships, while focusing on goals for the present and future. Working with you to make the most of your strengths, I assist you in being at your best during the divorce process, and then taking positive steps to a new life.
As a Child Specialist, I assist parents in understanding the changing needs of their children and designing a post-divorce co-parenting agreement. Children may suffer the most from divorce, and be least able to understand or express their feelings. I meet privately with children to help them understand and express their feelings and concerns about the divorce.
For more information about Collaborative Divorce, visit the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals website.