The Benefits of Therapy During and After Divorce

Divorce is life-changing — and the emotional toll it takes on you can be significant. You may be feeling a variety of emotions, including anger, sadness, grief, guilt, and confusion. While your divorce attorney can help to guide you through the legal proceedings associated with parting ways with your spouse, you may find it helpful to have a safe place to process your emotions. Therapy for divorce can provide the emotional support you need as you work to rebuild your life.

How Can Therapy Help with Divorce?

Therapy for divorce can make the entire process go much more smoothly. Whether you are uncertain whether you want to file for divorce or you are having difficulty dealing with the emotional impact, working with a therapist can help you understand your emotions. A divorce therapist can also provide you with the tools you need to move forward in a healthy manner.

Although divorce is a legal process, emotions may cloud a spouse’s judgment. In many instances, therapy for divorce can help you make better decisions regarding your legal case. By processing your emotions and managing your stress, you will be better able to compartmentalize your emotional reactions.

Significantly, divorce therapy may also save you time and money that might otherwise be spent on your case. While any divorce attorney should be concerned about the emotional toll your divorce may take, the cost of venting to a divorce attorney is often more than what a licensed therapist or social worker may charge. Moreover, therapy for divorce might even be covered by your health insurance. It’s important to keep in mind that attorneys are licensed to provide legal advice, protect your rights, and ensure a fair division of property. Although your attorney might be an empathetic and compassionate listener, attorneys are not professionally trained to help you address the psychological aspects of divorce.

Benefits of Therapy During and After Divorce

Going through a divorce is always emotionally difficult. However, there can be a variety of benefits when it comes to therapy for divorce and the benefits may extend beyond the divorce process. Therapy during and after divorce can improve your mental health, strengthen your emotional well-being, and enhance self-growth.

What happens in divorce therapy will depend upon your specific situation and the approach your therapist takes. Specifically, a divorce therapist can help you with:

• Keeping your emotions in check — Divorce can be emotionally overwhelming. Therapy for divorce can allow you to feel heard and identify triggers so that you are better able to keep your emotions in check during your case and after the legal proceedings have concluded.
• Learning coping mechanisms — In divorce therapy, you can explore your feelings and learn coping mechanisms to manage them, such as mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques.
• Developing techniques for effective co-parenting — Communicating with a co-parent can be difficult, even if you are amicable. A therapist can teach you effective strategies to communicate in a healthy manner, maintain open lines of communication, focus on the issue at hand, and compromise when necessary.
• Prioritizing your child’s needs — Divorce therapy can help you prioritize your child’s needs and reduce the emotional impact of your divorce on them. A therapist can assist you with establishing consistency for your children.
• Healing from the emotional wounds of your divorce — The emotions you feel after divorce are complex. With therapy for divorce, you can gain the tools you need to heal from the trauma and emotional scars you have experienced. Therapy can empower you, rebuild your self-esteem, and provide you with a clear sense of identity.

The tools you acquire in therapy for divorce can be utilized for years to come. In addition, by understanding the dynamics and patterns in your partnership with your spouse, you will gain self-awareness and be able to make healthier decisions in new relationships.

Types of Therapy for Divorce

There are several different types of therapy for divorce, depending on your specific needs and objectives. With individual therapy, you work directly with a therapist to address the emotional challenges you are facing in connection with your divorce. This is a one-on-one approach that can allow you to explore your fears, express your concerns, and process your emotions.

Couples therapy may be another option to help you navigate the emotions of divorce. Not only can it help spouses address their feelings, but it can teach them how to communicate respectfully and effectively — this is crucial if you will be co-parenting. It can also reduce stress and minimize conflict during the legal process for divorce and set boundaries for the future.

Another type of therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy. This technique can also be used in individual or couples therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you identify and change negative thought patterns that you experience in response to divorce by replacing them with healthier perspectives. It can address habits that can be self-destructive during the divorce process — as well as those that can inhibit you from moving forward in the future.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Divorce and Family Law Attorney

During and after divorce, it’s important to have both the emotional and legal support you need as you open up the new chapter of your life. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our Fulton, Maryland divorce attorneys are committed to providing you with reliable legal services for a wide variety of divorce and family law matters, including those involving prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Trained in collaborative divorce, mediation, and traditional divorce litigation strategies, we work closely with our clients to achieve a positive outcome in every case.

To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Maple Lawn divorce attorney, call us at (301) 658-7354 or contact us online.