Working Together to
Ease the
Divorce Process
…with Collaborative Practice
When couples make the difficult decision to divorce, financial, emotional and legal exchanges occur that range from healthy, productive and civil to destructive and hurtful. Working with a divorce coach in the collaborative process provides support, guidance and a framework that promotes positive and mutually beneficial outcomes for divorcing couples.
“Divorce is a difficult process. Clients can experience a better way to divorce.”
What Services are Provided by the Collaborative Coach?
Caren’s first concern is to create a safe, comfortable and professional environment for divorcing couples to prepare for the difficult process ahead.
As the coach, Caren:
- serves as a neutral mental health professional, guiding people through emotional challenges during the process, and identifying and encouraging effective ways to negotiate and communicate during dispute resolution meetings. Diffusing conflict and assisting with discussion and communication skills allows divorcing couples to approach major decisions calmly and thoughtfully.
“I work with divorcing couples to prepare for settlement meetings by identifying priorities, interests and desired outcomes, recognizing emotional challenges that can impede negotiations, and facilitating better communication between parties. We work together to move away from hurt, anger and blame to focusing on possibilities and solutions.”
- guides resolution of co-parenting issues, helping parents to prioritize their children’s needs, despite the existing issues that led to divorce. The development of a highly workable parenting plan and co-parenting relationship reflects a significant commitment to protecting children from unintentional negative effects of divorce.
- does not provide psychotherapy. Coaching is a supportive and educational process designed to help optimize the time spent in meetings working on divorce settlement, not give treatment for behavior or emotional disorders.
Caren is skilled at helping couples work through and manage difficult and intense emotions.
Who Should Consider Collaborative Coaching?
Entering into a collaborative divorce requires hard work, focus and the intention to participate fully in a civil and respectful legal process. What matters most is the commitment to the process and the willingness to engage with a team of professionals that are there to help. The level of conflict that initially exists when a couple comes for information does not necessarily impact on the successful outcome of that particular divorce. In fact, high conflict situations are particularly suited to working with a collaborative team of professionals, as long as the individuals are committed to working together and receiving guidance from the team.
What Benefits Does Collaborative Coaching Provide?
Collaborative practice and collaborative coaching can empower couples to work together to create their own personal best agreement. It is possible to have a positive divorce, and certainly a less traumatic divorce with the right resources and support.
Since this is an out-of-court settlement process, complete confidentiality is maintained, which ensures a safe platform for cooperative practices that replace adversarial techniques and litigation. Clients are intimately involved in the entire process, which promotes respect, mutual outcomes, transparency, honest negotiations, cooperation and privacy. With expert advice and guidance, collaborative practice really helps minimize the negative impacts of divorce.
Divorce coaching and collaborative practice is a cost-effective, problem-solving approach that can minimize the impact of conflict on both parties and protect the well-being and needs of children. Collaborative coaching can create a foundation for a productive post-divorce relationship. The collaborative process also serves as a guide toward resolving future conflicts should they arise.
“Experience has shown me that divorcing couples can negotiate and agree on effective solutions, outcomes and reach agreements that can have a positive impact on their post-divorce relationships. Most importantly, children benefit from a civil process and agreed upon solutions that focus on their needs as the highest priority.”
