If you’re going through tough times in your relationship, you may be wondering where to turn to for support. When it comes to making decisions about the future of your relationship, there are several different people and professionals who can help you reach a decision that’s right for you.
Marriage counsellors and divorce coaches are just two options, and both can help you see things from a different perspective. But what’s the difference? Let’s take a look.
What are the similarities?
Both marriage counselling and divorce coaching can be helpful when navigating periods of difficulty in your relationship, but the similarities end there. As forms of support, their functions differ significantly.
Marriage counselling
Many couples turn to marriage counselling when they face a particularly challenging situation in their relationship. Ongoing conflict and differences, communication or emotional distance, for example.
While some couples have an open mind about the direction their relationship will take, others are committed to working through their issues and making things work. Marriage counselling can provide a safe space for couples to share their feelings and improve their communication with each other. In situations where one partner may have been unfaithful, marriage counselling can offer a place to reconnect and rebuild lost trust between a couple, all under the observation of a licensed therapist or counsellor.
Counselling is also an opportunity to take an in-depth look at recurring issues in the relationship, whether that involves exploring repetitive arguments, patterns, past traumas, or unmet needs. The entire process is designed to develop strategies for learning from these experiences and moving forward.
The relationship with a marriage counsellor
One of the most significant differences between a marriage counsellor and a divorce coach is that a counsellor’s role is mainly that of a mediator.
They’re there to help you focus, understand and heal from things. They will guide you towards clarity without sharing their individual personal experiences with you.
Divorce coaching
You may want to consider divorce coaching if you’ve decided to divorce your ex-spouse and want support in figuring out what your new life will look like.
Unlike marriage counselling, you’re likely to attend divorce coaching alone rather than as a couple. It’s much more about empowering you as an individual to feel strong enough to advocate for yourself before, during or after divorce.
A divorce coach can help as you work through the practicalities of divorce – the legal and financial aspects of the process, for example, so that you’re better able to provide your solicitor with clear and considered instructions. They can also support you with difficult decisions regarding parenting, housing or career plans. In some instances, they can also act as your sounding board for working through any conflicts with your ex-partner throughout your divorce.
The relationship with a divorce coach
A divorce coach is there to help you stay accountable, focus on the future and figure out how you’re going to make the things you want to happen, happen. They’re process-focused and will be another teammate in your support network as you go through the proceedings.
At Harrogate Family Law, we have a strong network of professionals who can support you with all aspects of your divorce, so if you need expert legal advice from a member of our team, get in touch and we’ll be with you at every step.
