If you are looking to work with a Divorce Counselor in Southfile, MI please call Miche Lamé at 248-212-0808
or e-mail [email protected].
Divorce / Divorce Adjustment
Sometimes, marriages do not succeed. The end of a marriage can be a relief to some people, but it can also be an extremely stressful event. Even the partner who chooses to leave may experience a wide range of emotions and intense feelings that may be painful or difficult, such as grief, guilt, anger, confusion, fear, shame, and anxiety. If children are involved, the stress level within a divorcing family is likely to be even higher.
People sometimes seek therapy to help them decide whether to stay in a marriage or leave. Others may seek help in counseling to make the transition from being married to being single again. Both these goals can be addressed in individual or couples therapy
Why Do People Get Divorced?
Between 40 and 50% of married couples in the United States end up divorcing. There are numerous reasons for why partners get divorced, and many couples cite a combination of reasons rather than just one single problem. The following reasons have been identified as some of the most common factors leading to divorce:
•Lack of commitment, including marrying too young or marrying the wrong person.
•Infidelity.
•Communication issues or a tendency to argue.
•Inequality in marriage, particularly regarding chores or care for children.
•Physical and emotional abuse, and/or abuse of chemical substances.
•Unrealistic assumptions about what marriage would be like, including insufficient preparation for the challenges of married life.
•Financial problems and disagreements about money
Therapy for Divorce
When a marriage ends, it can often be emotionally traumatic for both partners. In order to cope with the process of uncoupling, which can be mentally, physically, and financially demanding, a couple who is divorcing may choose to begin therapy. Divorce therapy is usually done on an individual basis. A person who is going through a divorce may experience feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, depression and grief, and working with a therapist can provide an objective and rational perspective and arm a person with the necessary skills to work through the difficulties of the divorce. People who use therapy to help them cope with a divorce can often benefit, as they may be able to learn more about themselves and come to see the life transition as an opportunity for growth and personal development.
Divorce may contribute to or exacerbate certain mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or personality diagnoses. Many people perceive divorce as a personal failure. Therapy can help one work through those feelings, make sense of the end of the marriage, and obtain a new perspective. Individuals who have divorced may learn more about what they require from a relationship and what they do not desire in a relationship, and they may, through therapy, discover more about their own nature and personal characteristics.
Divorce therapy is also available for couples who are in the process of going through a divorce. This type of therapy may allow some couples to better achieve the dissolution of the marriage in a healthy, constructive fashion. A divorce therapist can act as a sort of mediator and set guidelines to ensure that the divorce is achieved with minimal hostility and emotional damage. Therapists can also help address pertinent issues, such as living arrangements, financial obligations, and parenting responsibilities.
Therapy can be important for children whose parents are divorcing. Because parents may often be consumed with their own feelings during a divorce, they might overlook the emotional state of their children, who may be confused by the divorce or feel guilt, loss, pain, or abandonment. Children may not be sure which parent they should “choose,” or be loyal to, and they might also worry that they are the cause of the divorce. When parents are aggressive with each other, a child may feel even more fearful, and a child who often hears his or her parents argue about custody arrangements might feel as if he or she is unwanted by either parent, or as if he or she is to blame for the separation.
If all members of the family are able to discuss their feelings about any issues that arise as a result of divorce, they may be able to process their emotions more easily and better adjust to the changes.
Mediation for Divorce
Mediation can be an alternative to the often exhausting and expensive process of fighting about a divorce in court. Some courts mandate mediation for divorcing couples, but some couples might choose mediation over court on their own. A mediation is often a better option for some couples than taking the case to court, as a mediation will allow the consideration of factors that do not have legal significance.
During mediation, couples discuss child custody, division of assets, and other often-contentious issues under the guidance of a mediator. The mediator attempts to help the couples reach a legally binding settlement on their own. A mediation often takes less time than a divorce litigation, and it is generally a less costly process. Couples who use the mediation process may be able to reach an agreement that both individuals are satisfied with, which may help them be better able to communicate more effectively with each other in the future, something that may have a significant effect on a divorce where the couple has children.
Adjusting After a Divorce
Divorce recovery is a process. Adjusting to changes that occur as a result of a divorce can take time. Part of the process is often the recognition of newly divorced people, whether they initiated the divorce or not, that their lives and the lives of those around them have been profoundly affected by their situation. Worries about financial solvency, employment, or housing may affect them. Stress over losing friends or family members as a result of the divorce can also be difficult to deal with. Additionally, parents may be emotionally overwhelmed by guilt as they consider what effects the divorce may have on their children.
These issues can often be worked through during the recovery process. An individual in therapy may be more able to discover necessary coping techniques that can help in the establishment of a new life, and the individual may have an easier time developing a healthy perspective on the divorce. Divorce recovery therapy can also often provide people with a safe, encouraging, and empowering experience during what might, for some, be a difficult time.
source: goodtherapy.org
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a Divorce Counselor in Southfield, MI please call Miche Lamé at 248-212-0808 or e-mail [email protected].