Seeking therapy during divorce is one of many important actions spouses can take to help a divorce progress as smoothly and amicably as possible. Here, the family law attorneys at Rodier Family Law discuss some key points regarding therapy and divorce.

Therapy can Be an Effective Tool for Coping with Divorce

Divorce can cause spouses to feel a variety of emotions including anger, sadness, frustration, anxiety, grief, confusion and more. These emotions can be extremely difficult to handle on your own, especially during the stress of divorce proceedings. While therapy is not the right tool for everyone, many individuals can benefit from having a neutral third-party to speak to about their divorce. This may be through individual or couples counseling, both of which can have great benefits and help a divorce progress more smoothly. Couples counseling, in particular, can help divorcing couples communicate more effectively and ensure they reach a more harmonious agreement regarding alimony, child custody and other issues. Therapy is strongly encouraged for individuals who, throughout the divorce process, have difficulty sleeping, eating or being social. It is also encouraged for those who feel highly depressed, have thoughts of suicide or feel a sense of self-loathing or withdrawal.  

Therapy Can Also Be Beneficial for Your Children During Divorce

If you and your spouse have children in common at the time of your divorce, it may be beneficial for them to also see a therapist or counselor. Children may have questions or concerns about divorce that they are not comfortable discussing with their parents, and a therapist or counselor can help answer these questions as well as help them manage any feelings they have regarding the divorce. Making sure your children’s emotional and mental well-being is accounted for during divorce will not only make the divorce process easier for them, but also for you and your spouse.

Therapy Can Help Make Co-Parenting Easier in the Future

If you and your spouse have children in common, you may wish to co-parent after your divorce is finalized. Co-parenting can be extraordinarily valuable for children and parents alike, but it requires compromise, healthy communication and consistency. After a contentious divorce, it may be difficult for former spouses to find common ground and communicate in a way that leads to effective co-parenting. Fortunately, a therapist or counselor can help you learn new communication methods in order to co-parent in a more effective manner. This may be particularly effective if divorcing spouses attend couples counseling so that your therapist or counselor can observe the way you interact with your spouse and develop strategies that will help you both to communicate in a cooperative manner. Your family law attorney may be able to recommend a qualified couples counselor to you and your spouse who may be able to help you co-parent more effectively.

Seek a Family Law Attorney So You Can Focus on Your Emotional Health and Well-Being

Divorces can be complex and emotionally turbulent, and this reality is heightened if you do not have effective legal counsel helping guide you through the process. Retaining a qualified family law attorney, such as the attorneys at Rodier Family Law, can help you focus on your emotional health and well-being as they handle the legal complexities of your divorce. If you are interested in seeking therapy during the divorce process, your family law attorney at Rodier Family Law may also be able to help you choose a therapist or counselor that is right for you. To learn more about the family law attorneys at Rodier Family Law and how they can help you cope during the divorce process, contact Rodier Family Law today.