How to Find a CDC Personal Divorce Coach

Your marriage is over and your life feels like it is spiraling out of control.  Where do you begin?  You are overwhelmed with what steps to take next. You have heard of Divorce Coaches but have no idea what a Personal Divorce Coach is, what they do, or how to find a certified divorce coach.

Hiring a Personal Divorce Coach can be one of the best decisions you will ever make.  Having a supportive thinking partner and resource to guide you step by step through your divorce can be extremely valuable and save you time and money.

A Certified Divorce Coach can help you get organized and stay focused on the business of divorce.  This allows you to be better prepared to work with your attorney, mediator, and other professionals.

WHAT DOES A PERSONAL DIVORCE COACH DO?

The Personal Divorce Coach helps the client explore all their available options and gain clarity and confidence in the choices they are making. When it comes to divorce there are so many life altering decisions that have to be made.  Decisions regarding child custody, co-parenting, alimony, health, disability, and life insurance needs, and so many more. A Personal Divorce Coach helps the client clarify and determine what their needs may be. Helping them also separate their emotional issues of divorce from the business issues.

Most of all a Divorce Coach provides a nonjudgmental safe haven where the client can receive support and the coach can be their sounding board.  Coaching offers structure and holds the client accountable to remain proactive thus they are able to make necessary changes to move forward with their life and their future.

Coaching differs from therapy or counseling because it is not clinical in nature. Nor is the client treated for a symptom or a diagnosis.  It is also not covered by health insurance.

A Personal Divorce Coach does not provide or offer legal advice and does not serve as a substitute for your attorney.  Personal Divorce Coaching is not limited by geography because divorce coaches do not coach regarding law.

Finding a Certified Divorce Coach and knowing what credentials to look for can be confusing. There are numerous coaches available. There are Life Coaches, Transitional Coaches, and Certified Divorce Coaches, etc.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DIVORCE COACH

When choosing a Divorce Coach to help you navigate through your divorce you want to make sure they adhere to a Code of Ethics and Practice Standards to support you in a professional way. You also want to be sure they have specifically trained to handle the unique aspects of the divorce process itself.

Also of significance is that they are committed to continuing education.  This keeps them current and up to date with the latest tools and knowledge needed to help clients that are going through divorce.

Divorce is an emotional roller coaster and a Personal Divorce Coach needs to be equipped to deal with the client who is operating from their most basic survival mode and unable to cope with the unfamiliar process of the legal system. A well trained Personal Divorce Coach can be a beacon of light and calm in a storm of adversity.

Take advantage of the complimentary consultation or discovery session that most Personal Divorce Coaches’ offer. This will give you a chance to see how you relate to the coach. It also gives you an opportunity to see if they are a good match for you to work with. The session will help you identify what issues and concerns are most important to you. It also helps identify how coaching can support you through the challenges and help you overcome obstacles.  As mentioned previously Personal Divorce Coaches are not bound geographically so are free to practice without regard to state or provincial boundaries. Many hold sessions over the phone, some by Zoom, Skype, iPhone, Facetime or other video options.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A PERSONAL DIVORCE COACH

HAVE THEY BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE DIVORCE PROCESS?

Personal Divorce Coaching covers domains that are not covered in other life or transitional coaching programs.  The complex emotions and engagement in the legal process can create challenges for someone who has not been thoroughly trained to work with individuals going through divorce.

WHAT ARE THE PERSONAL DIVORCE COACH’S ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES?

Personal Divorce Coaches work with many other professionals who are licensed to serve the public who adhere to high ethical standards.  Any well-respected professional is usually some one that maintains high ethical standards. They will make every effort to fulfill their responsibilities. They will clearly outline their professional ethics and responsibilities to you.

HOW WILL THEY HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR DIVORCE?

Personal Divorce Coaches support you in ways that other professional don’t. They assist you in preparing for the impact divorce may have. They help you stay focused on the best outcome for your future. Most beneficial they help you be a better communicator and better decision maker.

Express your needs and expectations.

Only you know what your concerns, needs, and expectations are.  Make sure you express them openly to the Personal Divorce Coach.  This way the coach will be able to work with you in achieving and accomplishing your goals.

Most of all never be afraid to ask a tough question or any question for that matter.

Your coach such be a good fit for you and you should feel at ease with the person you choose as your Personal Divorce Coach.

DOES THE DIVORCE COACH HAVE EXPERIENCE COACHING ALL STAGES OF DIVORCE?

There are three different stages of divorce.  Each requires a specific awareness of and approach to the client’s needs. There is the pre-divorce, the legal process, and the post-divorce stage. People experience different emotions transitioning through each stage and can often become frustrated, exhausted, or just burnt out.  A Personal Divorce Coach is trained to understand the different stages and provide the client the necessary support they need for their entire journey through divorce.

To avoid costly or financial mistakes you will want to hire a Personal Divorce Coach as soon as possible.  Preferably at the onset of your divorce. Many of the most impactful relationship and financial decisions are made at the very onset of the divorce process. The value of having a Personal Divorce Coach in your corner to help you avoid costly financial pitfalls and mistakes can be a wise investment.