October 16, 2025

Therapy and Divorce

By Shalayne McMillian
Relationships

Exploring Therapy:

An initial consultation can provide the opportunity to ask questions, discuss goals, desired outcomes and find the right fit for your care. Individual therapists offer a private space for personal exploration and healing, tailored specifically to one’s unique experiences and emotions following a divorce. It enables the person to delve into their thoughts and feelings, uncovering underlying issues that may not surface in a group or couples therapy setting. While divorce therapy with a partner may be the right choice, individual therapy may be the best way to facilitate healing and personal growth.

Addressing Specific Challenges:

Some common challenges may include dealing with infidelity, trust issues, managing blended families and argumentative communication styles. Divorce therapy emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, even if only of oneself. It builds insight into one’s attachment style and ways that person might feel differently about relationships as a byproduct of their experiences in dissolving their marriage. By embracing their challenges as opportunities for growth, individuals can emerge from the process more resilient and self-aware.

A woman signs divorce papers at a table, her face composed but distant, while the man beside her—presumably her husband. Across from them, a suited attorney gestures toward the documents, clearly explaining specific terms as he guides them through the final steps of separation.

Supporting Children Through Divorce:

Divorce can affect the children , not just the couple. Making the decision to put your children into therapy while going through the divorce process can be extremely helpful. Therapy can help children process their emotions, be educated on divorce and provide children with the tools they need to express and work through their feelings. Going from a married couple to co-parents it is essential to work on healthy communication, relationship and needs of the children in your family.

Create a New Foundation for your New Family Dynamic:

The first step in rebuilding your life after divorce is to think about and discuss what you want your life to look like moving forward. Therapy throughout divorce is often used to accomplish this goal. During this time, you will build short-term and long-term goals that provide you with direction and purpose during a time that might otherwise feel overwhelming and aimless. When focusing on what you truly desire, your daily actions and decisions will naturally start to align with the life that you envision for your future.

A woman pushes a shopping cart down a grocery aisle, her young daughter on it. There's a quiet determination in her eyes, a mix of exhaustion and hope, as she focuses on the simple task, using it as a step toward rebuilding after the divorce.

Moving Forward After Forgiveness:

It is natural to experience anger and resentment during and after divorce. While these feelings are typically a part of the grieving process, it is important to be mindful and proactive in not allowing these feelings to hinder your ability to move through this journey. Working on forgiveness through therapy, speaking with a mediator and learning to make wise decisions about separation.

Showing Strength Through Being Vulnerable:

Isolation can amplify the pain of a divorce, leading to the need to seek support from those around you from those you trust and are supporters of you. Support can come in many forms but requires you to have a willingness to be vulnerable with your thoughts and feelings. Being open to exploring different support options can help you find the right fit for your needs and preferences.

Discomfort is Not Always Negative:

Stepping out of your comfort zone is a necessity for personal growth, especially after a significant life change like divorce. Being open to trying new activities can lead to the discovery of passions and interests of which you were previously unaware. Although embracing new experiences can be intimidating, discomfort is only temporary.

Two people sit side by side as they face a therapist seated across from them with a calm, attentive demeanor. The room is quiet, the atmosphere serious yet safe, as both individuals seek clarity and healing through the conversation unfolding between them.

Starting Therapy:

If you are considering therapy as a means to navigate the complexities of divorce and rebuild their lives, it can be a great option. Therapy offers unique opportunities for relationship rebuilding, personal growth and healing from the emotional wounds of divorce. Therapy can come in the form of individual, couples, family or group therapy to work towards understanding, acceptance and renewed hope for the future.

Although divorce is often painful and disheartening, this also presents an opportunity for deep personal growth and healing. Therapy can act as a vehicle in navigating this transition by providing the support, guidance and tools necessary for individuals, couples and families to move forward in their lives with resilience and hope. Those affected by divorce can find healing, growth and positive life transitions post-divorce.

Written By

Shalayne McMillian

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