
Divorce is a tough decision; often, during the decision-making process, a person experiences feelings such as sorrow, rage, bewilderment, and insecurity. There is sometimes a form of counseling known as discernment counseling before people begin legal procedures of dissolution of their marriage. There are potential benefits that this type of counseling can afford to help such couples de-escalate and avoid the path to divorce, or at least give each person an outlet to review their options to make an informed decision.
However, is pre-divorce counseling a suitable course of action for you? Here's a comprehensive guide to help you decide:
What is Pre-Divorce Counseling?
Pre-divorce counseling, offered by therapists like those at divorce counseling in Orange County, can be mentioned to be in contrast with marital therapy. Marital counseling is distinctly different from pre-divorce counseling in that it can be focused on re-establishing a healthy marriage, while pre-divorce counseling may be dedicated to helping the couple determine whether they should stay together or divorce. It provides a platform to:
- Communicate openly and honestly: However, an objective therapist can help the couple discuss issues crucial to their relationship so each partner can voice their emotions and concerns about how the other makes them feel.
- Identify underlying issues: Hubby’s therapist can then identify issues that might have led to marital disharmony, adding depth to the difficulty.
- Explore alternatives to divorce: Regarding the reunification process, a trial separation, or reintroduction of couples to each other, or if there are children involved, the roles of the therapist come out clearly where they can facilitate the discussions around these issues.
- Prepare for separation or divorce: Some reasons that a couple may not want to reconcile include: If this seems to be the case, the therapist can assist in aiding the partners to make decisions that they need to make concerning the divorce, like division of assets, and child custody among others.
Benefits of Pre-Divorce Counseling
Pre-Divorce Counseling can offer a multitude of benefits for couples contemplating divorce, including Pre-Divorce Counseling can offer a variety of benefits for couples contemplating divorce, including:
- Improved communication: Outside intervention can be helpful in the negotiation process so that no parties can become aggressive and make the other feel they are right.
- Informed decision-making: The involvement of an independent, objective third party, in this case, the therapist, can offer some insights into the legal and emotional consequences of divorce and enable the two parties to make a more sound decision for themselves.
- Reduced emotional distress: What is even more encouraging to those considering divorce is that (a safe place like a counselor) makes it easier for couples to blow off steam, at least over issues of conflicts, and hence minimize stress and sadness.
- Reduced conflict during the divorce process: Nonetheless, pre-divorce counseling facilitates the process that helps individuals resolve issues coaxially, even if they cannot achieve reconciliation.
- Protecting children's well-being: Counseling is a significant part that assists in solving the concerns that children experience because of divorce and planning on the issues to do with child custody.
To whom can pre-divorce counseling be the most beneficial?
Couples in different stages of marriage should undergo pre marriage counseling, depending on their situation. However, it can be beneficial for those who:
- Are unsure about divorce: If you are having marital issues and uncertain about the prospect of divorce, then you can opt for pre-divorce counseling, where you can talk and discuss possible ways of handling it.
- Have difficulty communicating effectively: If the couple under discussion has shut down their communication channels and the issues brought about by this seem irreconcilable, a therapist can facilitate healthy conversation.
- Have unresolved anger or resentment: It is always said, and it can never be refuted, that anger, when taken to heart, always clouds our reasoning ability, allowing us not to reason correctly. The following are some of the emotions pre-divorce counseling can assist in handling healthily in society.
- Have children: Pre-marriage illustration has the potential to influence the various responsibilities related to children in a way that gives priority to them through agonizing planning for divorce.
Pre-divorce counseling solution
That is why deciding whether to engage in pre-divorce counseling is a given person’s prerogative. However, here are some factors to consider:
- Your level of commitment to the relationship: If you have decided firmly to end your union, then pre-divorce counseling may not be essential. Thus, it would be helpful if there is a chance to reunite.
However, it would be worth it if there were an opportunity for reconciliation.
- Your communication skills: If getting on separate pages is difficult for the couple, then it would be beneficial to seek the assistance of a therapist who can assist in establishing effective communication.
- Your willingness to participate actively: Spousal therapy can only work if the couples are ready and willing to engage in it fully and truthfully.
Alternatives to Pre-Divorce Counseling
Thus, despite the multiple advantages of pre-divorce counseling, such a possibility may only work well with some. Here are some alternatives to consider:
- Individual therapy: If the cost is the issue, then the personal approach to treatment will be helpful for you to sort things out on an emotional level and get to know more about your needs.
- Divorce mediation: Since everybody would like to have fair access to properties and children, a mediator can help negotiate this area.
- Support groups: It helps to get in touch with fellow individuals who are also going through rocky marriage relations so that they can share some of their experiences.
Conclusion
Thinking about divorce can indeed be an overwhelming process since it seems like the end of every individual’s world. Pre-divorce counseling is helpful in this process because it can help ease the inherent difficulties. Regardless of the final decision being that one of the couples is reaching the counselor to reconcile or finalize the divorce, pre-divorce counseling is essential to enable the couple to make the right decisions.