Considering a collaborative divorce and curious about the role of the divorce coach? And how exactly can a career counselor help? Coaches have mental health backgrounds. They are counselors, social workers and psychologists trained in the collaborative divorce process. Initially your coach will meet with you one on one to help you define goals for the collaborative process. They are interested in understanding your special needs and any issue that could create a logjam at the legal level. They help keep you on track with the collaborative divorce process and coordinate with your attorney and the rest of the team.
Your coach creates a safe place to sort through feelings you have about your divorce and provides supportive counseling. They work with you to identify ways to improve communication with your spouse, solve problems, articulate your needs and wants and resolve conflicts. In short, they help you achieve the goals you define for your divorce process and on-going relationships with your children and former spouse.
In addition, some coaches offer help with reentering or enhancing involvement with the workplace. Career counseling can provide the team with information regarding career plan timing, vocational activities and potential earnings. This can help facilitate the couple’s financial, custody and support decisions.
With the vocational counselor’s guidance, clients become more aware of interests and values that support an emerging and stronger sense of self. The experience of self-exploration, decision-making, follow through and success all confirm that you have the power to reshape your life after the major disruption and loss of divorce. The process can help you take charge of your life and empower you to reach decisions about a future that is yours alone.
Source Reviewed: Collaborative Review, Spring 2008/ Vocational Counseling Helps Clients with Work, Collaborative Process and Life by Betty Kohlenberg, MS, CRC, D/ABVE
Originally posted on Collaborative Divorce Northwest Blog