What is divorce coaching?
Divorce coaching is a type of life coaching designed to support people during the divorce process. Support is tailored to your individual circumstances.
A divorce coach does not provide legal advice, counselling for separation and divorce, couples coaching or relationship coaching. Rather, a divorce coach can provide structured guidance to help you think clearly, prepare for and manage difficult conversations, and plan your next steps.
The term separation coach is sometimes used interchangeably with divorce coaching. A separation coach offers support before a divorce is legally underway. Many divorce and separation coaches offer support before, during, and after divorce.
Rather than focusing on repairing a relationship or trying to move forward as a couple, divorce coaching centres on helping you move through change in a way that is constructive and supportive for you. This can mean combining emotional support with practical, goal-oriented support to help you through the different steps of the process.
How a divorce coach supports you
Every situation is different. Divorce coaching is typically tailored to fit your personal circumstances, needs, and priorities. A divorce coach can provide support before, during, or after a divorce. Support may include:
- preparing for difficult conversations
- managing related stress and overwhelm
- setting goals for life after divorce
- planning co-parenting arrangements
- rebuilding confidence, boundaries and independence
When should I start working with a divorce coach?
Some people seek support during the early stages, when they are initially considering separation. Others begin coaching during the legal process of divorce, or after the divorce has already been finalised, when they are beginning to adjust to their new chapter.
A divorce coach cheerleads and champions their clients on potentially one of the most difficult journeys life will challenge them with.
- N. Francis-Young, What is a divorce coach?
There is no right or wrong time to start working with a coach. Your divorce coach is there to support and guide you in a way that works best for you.
Working alongside the legal process
Divorce coaching is a complementary form of support. A coach cannot give you legal advice or make legal decisions for you. However, they can help you to prepare for meetings with solicitors or mediators, organise your thoughts before important discussions, and feel more emotionally prepared during negotiations. This combination of practical preparation and emotional support can help you to approach decisions in a calm, confident manner.
The benefits of divorce coaching
Divorce can have a huge impact on your life, affecting more areas than we might initially realise, from mental health and finances to parenting and your future plans. Having dedicated divorce support can make a meaningful difference.
A divorce coach can support and help you:
- talk through decisions to feel more prepared
- improve communication skills to feel more comfortable and confident
- introduce you to strategies to help manage high-conflict divorce situations
- share ways in which you can look after your well-being and mental health
- identify where stronger boundaries are needed and develop strategies to set and maintain them
- provide a safe space to talk about how you are feeling, set goals, and focus on life after divorce
For some, divorce coaching provides space to pause and reflect. For others, it offers structure and accountability during a time that can feel chaotic and overwhelming. Sessions can be tailored to focus on what matters most to you.
The coaching sessions helped me stay motivated and move forward.
- Makayla shares her experience of working with a coach during her divorce.
Do I need a divorce coach?
Divorce coaching can be helpful at many different stages. Some people find that it can be beneficial and reassuring to have someone they can talk to about the process. You might consider working with a divorce coach if you are:
- thinking about separation but feel unsure what to do next
- feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained by the divorce process in the UK
- want support preparing for difficult conversations
- trying to maintain an amicable divorce, particularly where children are involved
- experiencing a high-conflict divorce or ongoing tension with your former partner
- feel stuck, anxious, or unsure how to move forward
- dealing with challenging behaviour, such as conflict, control or bullying
Some people also seek support when dealing with a controlling or manipulative ex-partner. While coaches cannot diagnose behaviour, they can help you to strengthen boundaries and develop communication strategies to help deal with difficult situations.
Divorce coaching vs counselling, therapy, and legal advice
With so many different kinds of help and support out there, it can be difficult to know which is the right kind for you. Rather than having to pick one option or another, many people find that working with different professionals can help with different aspects of their separation and divorce.
Therapy or counselling for separation or divorce
Therapy and counselling often focus on emotional healing, past experiences, and mental health and well-being. Divorce counselling can help you to gain closure together, to look back at underlying problems that may have gone unnoticed or felt impossible to deal with at the time, in hopes of minimising hurt and hostility in the future.
Legal support
If you are going through a divorce that is not amicable, that is high-conflict, where splitting your assets may be more complicated (e.g. pensions, shared property, debts), if children are involved, or if one partner may be uncooperative or abusive, you might seek legal support. A family law solicitor can advise you on your rights and responsibilities within the divorce process in the UK.
Mediation
Divorce mediation is another option to help with divorce. A voluntary, confidential process, a trained, independent mediator can help couples discuss and negotiate practical, fair solutions regarding finances, property, and arrangements for children, without going to court.
Divorce coaching, relationship coaching, or couples coaching?
Relationship coaching and couples coaching can both often focus on strengthening or rebuilding your relationship and moving forward together as a couple. Divorce coaching, on the other hand, is about supporting you as an individual during the process of separation, during divorce, or after your divorce is complete. Rather than aiming for reconciliation, divorce coaching helps you navigate change in a constructive, forward-focused way.
What to expect from divorce coaching
Typically, divorce coaching is delivered one-to-one, online or in-person. The number of sessions you may need will depend on your individual situation. Sessions are confidential, collaborative, and tailored to meet your goals.
Your coach may help you to set short and long-term goals, identify obstacles and potential solutions, as well as develop communication strategies to help you manage conflict more effectively. If you have children, they may also be able to help you create a plan for parenting after divorce.
Some coaches offer packages, while others work session-by-session. A combination of your needs and the coach’s approach forms the structure offered.
Specialist divorce coaching support
Some divorce coaches focus on particular areas of separation to offer specialised support. They may be able to help with one or more different areas. Some specialised areas of divorce coaching support include:
- Separation coaching - helping during the earliest stages, when you are considering or preparing for separation.
- Divorce coaching for parents - focusing on reducing conflict and supporting children’s well-being during the process.
- Co-parenting coaching - helping parents build respectful communication and practical parenting arrangements after divorce.
- High-conflict divorce support - supporting those who are experiencing ongoing disputes, power imbalances, or intense communication challenges, to help develop strategies to stay calm, set boundaries, and protect well-being.
- Divorce coaching and ADHD or neurodiversity - some coaches specialise in providing structures, accessible support tailored to help those with ADHD manage their divorce journey.
Common questions about divorce coaching
How much does a divorce coach charge?
The cost of divorce coaching in the UK varies between coaches. Individual experience, location, and session length can all play a role. Some coaches charge per session, while others offer packages.
Is divorce coaching legally recognised in the UK?
Divorce coaching is not a regulated legal service. A divorce coach does not provide legal advice. Instead, they offer practical, emotional divorce support, often alongside solicitors or mediators.
Can divorce coaching help with an amicable divorce?
Yes, a divorce coach can help with an amicable divorce. Even during amicable divorces, emotions can run high. Divorce coaching can support communication, decision-making and co-parenting arrangements.
Find a qualified, specialist divorce coach
If you are looking for divorce support, working with a qualified divorce coach may help you feel clearer, more focused, and more in control during this time of change and as you move towards your life after divorce.
Find a divorce coach who specialises in separation support, co-parenting coaching, or high-conflict divorce. Taking the first step towards support can help you to move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
