ABSTRACT
Referral to mediation and/or family therapy may also be appropriate, as well as extra encouragement to continue their journeys through individual therapy or their support groups. When a decision has been made to separate, therapy should focus on: Ensuring the person who has made the decision to separate has considered the options fully;If one partner is opposed to the decision, ensuring they are receiving adequate independent support to work through their grief process; Helping each partner to accept the reality of the decision to separate and what each of them will need to do to ensure they have a ‘healthy’ divorce;Encouraging the couple to see separation as an opportunity for personal growth, not as a failure; and encouraging clients to develop positive co-parenting communication and continue regular contact with both parents.
