Divorce Counseling Near Me For Ongoing Support

If you're going through a divorce or considering one, searching for support nearby can feel like an important first step. The end of a marriage often brings a mix of emotions, from grief and uncertainty to relief and hope for what comes next. Whether you're looking for a divorce counselor in your area or exploring online options, finding the right support can make a meaningful difference in how you navigate this transition. Below, learn more about what divorce counseling involves, how to find a therapist who fits your needs, and what to expect from the process.

What is divorce counseling?

You have probably heard of marriage counseling, also called relationship counseling, and you may have even tried it in the hope of fixing your marriage. Marriage counseling is typically for couples working to:

• Improve their relationship for a better future
• Recover after challenging marital problems
• Decide whether it is healthy to stay married

For some couples, counseling can lead to improved healthy communication and increased marital satisfaction. For others, it may bring a different outcome: the realization that the relationship ending may be the best decision.

Divorce counseling, sometimes called divorce therapy, is usually for people who are going through a divorce and have likely already been through the marriage counseling process. Whereas marriage counseling frequently strives to educate couples on how to work through their problems and reunite as a couple, divorce counseling educates people on how to move forward into a new life stage in a healthy way after their marriage ends. Divorce counseling is often administered by a mental health professional with advanced training in couples and relationships, such as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Divorce counseling often overlaps with divorce mediation to help divorcing couples navigate the divorce process. It might tackle issues like child custody, determining living arrangements, providing emotional support to children, or other common issues post-divorce.

Divorce counseling vs. marriage counseling

Understanding the distinction between these two types of therapy can help you determine which approach fits your current situation. Here are some key differences:

• Marriage counseling typically focuses on improving the relationship and working toward reconciliation
• Divorce counseling centers on navigating the end of a marriage in a healthy way
• Marriage counseling often involves both partners working together toward shared relationship goals
• Divorce counseling can be attended alone or with a former spouse, depending on individual needs
• Marriage counseling may address communication patterns to strengthen the bond, while divorce counseling may address communication to support effective co-parenting

Can you see a therapist for divorce counseling on your own?

You may attend divorce counseling on your own or with your former partner. It might sound like an uncomfortable idea to go to counseling with someone you have already divorced or plan on divorcing. However, going through the process can have many benefits, especially if you have children together. A licensed professional counselor can help you learn how to set healthy boundaries and communicate effectively as you co-parent.

Attending divorce counseling independently often involves learning how to cope with a major life change. In many cases, divorce represents the start of a grieving process, and a therapist can offer coping skills to help you make it through an impending divorce or recover from one that has already occurred. Most couples who go their separate ways take some time to focus on themselves after the divorce happens, and it may be helpful to work with a therapist to ensure you are maintaining your overall well-being.

The early days can be difficult as you both work to find your new normal and adjust to being divorced. Having an unbiased, objective divorce therapist can make this transition easier. Your counselor will likely create a safe space where you and your former spouse can have difficult conversations in effective and healthy ways.

Types of divorce therapy and which may be right for you

Divorce counseling can take several forms depending on your circumstances and goals. Understanding the different options may help you choose the approach that best fits your situation.

Individual divorce counseling

Working with a therapist one-on-one can provide space to process your own emotions without the added complexity of your former spouse's presence. This type of counseling often focuses on developing coping skills, rebuilding self-esteem, and working through the grief that can accompany the end of a marriage. Individual sessions may be particularly helpful if your spouse is unwilling to participate or if the relationship has become too contentious for joint sessions.

Couples divorce counseling

Even though you're ending your marriage, attending counseling together can have benefits. This approach may help you communicate more effectively about practical matters like dividing assets, establishing custody arrangements, and creating a functional co-parenting relationship. While it might feel uncomfortable at first, working with a neutral third party may reduce conflict and help you move forward more peacefully.

Family counseling during divorce

When children are involved, family therapy can help everyone adjust to the changes. Children may experience confusion, sadness, or anger during a divorce, and a therapist can provide tools for parents to support them through the transition. While BetterHelp does not offer family therapy, individual therapy can help parents learn strategies for supporting their children and maintaining strong family relationships during this time.

The emotional stages of divorce

Divorce can bring emotions similar to those experienced during other significant losses. While each person's experience can be different, understanding common emotional patterns may help you feel less alone in what you're going through.

Why the separation period can be the hardest

The time between deciding to divorce and finalizing it may feel particularly challenging. During the separation period, you may find yourself in a kind of limbo, no longer together but not yet officially apart. This uncertainty can intensify emotions and make it difficult to plan for the future. Logistical chaos, such as figuring out living arrangements or managing finances separately for the first time, can add to the stress.

How divorce counseling can help at each stage

A therapist can provide support regardless of where you are in the emotional process. Whether you're experiencing denial about the divorce, feeling angry at your former spouse, bargaining about what could have been different, or working through sadness, a counselor can offer tools and perspective. There's no "right" timeline for processing these emotions, and a therapist can help you move through each stage at your own pace.

When should you attend divorce counseling?

There is no right or wrong time to attend divorce counseling. Therapists who specialize in divorce therapy usually divide sessions into pre-divorce and post-divorce counseling to help make your transition easier. However, if you start before your divorce and don't feel you need to continue after the divorce, you don't necessarily have to. Similarly, if you have already been through your divorce without pre-divorce counseling, you can begin therapy sessions after the divorce is final. Counseling before the divorce can help each of you learn how to communicate with the other partner civilly. You will often need to have some form of communication with the other person as you work toward finalizing the details of the divorce. This process can be easier when you have a licensed professional helping you work through your feelings.

Who should attend divorce counseling?

Divorce counseling can work under several circumstances. For starters, if you and your spouse have recently decided to divorce, it can be helpful to receive guidance on the process. You generally don't need to worry about judgment or the counselor trying to change your mind. Licensed therapists are trained to work with you on your specific goals. If you don't want to stay in the marriage, it's unlikely they'll try to force you to reconcile.

You don't necessarily need your spouse to attend sessions with you. While it can be helpful, especially if you have children together, you can still benefit from attending divorce counseling on your own. Individual counseling often focuses on helping you maintain emotional well-being, self-esteem, and functional abilities during or after the divorce. You can also attend together in the beginning and shift to separate sessions later if you prefer. Maybe you have both realized that you need to learn how to improve your relationship as a divorced couple, or maybe you have felt stuck since your divorce was finalized. Divorce counseling can be beneficial if you are experiencing:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Lack of motivation
• Sadness
• Inability to move past the divorce

It can be common to work through various feelings associated with grief during and after a divorce. A therapist can help you through each emotional stage in a healthy way. Your therapist can also help you work through any guilt and find feelings of forgiveness, both for your former partner and for yourself.

What to look for in a divorce counselor

When looking for a divorce counselor, you'll usually want to seek a licensed therapist who is experienced in providing counseling during and after divorce. While any licensed therapist can provide you with this type of counseling, it doesn't necessarily mean it's their area of expertise. If approaching divorce through a religious lens is important to you, you may want to find a therapist who aligns with your values and beliefs.

You will also want to check your chosen therapist's availability. Chances are, when you are working through a divorce or are recently divorced, you may be experiencing major changes to your schedule, especially if you have children. That shift may mean you need to be able to get to counseling when it works best for you. In many cases, regardless of whether you are seeking divorce counseling alongside your former spouse or want to attend individual therapy sessions, online therapy can provide flexible scheduling that may suit your needs.

Divorce therapists can be found in individual independent practice or be part of a larger healthcare system or clinic.

Credentials and specializations to look for

Understanding different credential types can help you identify therapists with relevant training. Here are some credentials that may indicate expertise in relationship and divorce counseling:

• Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT or LCMFT): Specialized training in relationship dynamics and family systems
• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): Broad mental health training that may include relationship counseling
• Licensed professional counselor (LPC or LCPC): General counseling credential with potential specialization in divorce
• Psychologist (PhD or PsyD): Advanced training that may include couples and family therapy

Questions to ask a potential divorce therapist

Before committing to a therapist, it can be helpful to ask questions to determine if they're a good fit. Consider asking:

1. How much experience do you have working with clients going through divorce?

2. What is your general approach to divorce counseling?

3. What is your availability, and can you accommodate schedule changes?

4. Have you worked with situations similar to mine (such as high-conflict divorces or co-parenting challenges)?

5. If my former spouse and I both want to attend, how do you handle sessions with both parties?

How to find divorce counseling near me

In order to find a licensed professional to work with, you might start with a simple Google search for "divorce counseling near me." It is often beneficial to research any therapist who sounds like a good fit before you choose one to work with. You generally want to make sure that you find someone you can trust and feel comfortable talking to. A marriage counselor or other type of therapist with advanced training in relationship dynamics can administer divorce counseling, and it may be helpful to consider therapists in that specialty.

Beyond online searches, there are several other ways to find a divorce counselor. Online directories like Psychology Today allow you to filter by specialty and location. You might also ask your primary care provider for a referral, check whether your employer offers an employee assistance program with counseling benefits, or reach out to local mental health clinics. Depending on your needs, you might also consider whether psychiatric support could be helpful. BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through Uplift as an additional care option alongside therapy. Psychiatric providers can evaluate whether medication management may be appropriate based on a full clinical assessment.

Ask friends or family for recommendations

If you have a close friend or family member who has been through a recent divorce, you can ask them for suggestions as well. If they completed divorce counseling, they might have an excellent personal recommendation. However, you likely will still want to interview the therapist to see if they are a good fit for you and your needs.

When online therapy may be a better fit

If you can't find a local therapist experienced in divorce counseling or your new schedule makes getting to appointments difficult, online therapy might be a better fit. Online options can also be helpful if you've recently moved or prefer the comfort of attending from home.

Online divorce therapy as an alternative

Whether you prefer in-person sessions or find that online therapy better fits your lifestyle, both options connect you with licensed professionals who can provide support. Online therapy may offer the same quality of care as in-person therapy, with research suggesting that 72% of BetterHelp users experienced a reduction in symptoms within 12 weeks. For people going through divorce, the flexibility of online sessions can be valuable when schedules, living situations, and routines are in flux. For those who may benefit from additional support, BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through Uplift, which may include medication management when clinically appropriate as part of a broader mental health treatment plan.

What to expect in your first divorce counseling session

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially during an already stressful time. Knowing what to expect may help ease some of that anxiety.

Your first session will likely focus on getting to know each other. Your therapist may ask about what led to the divorce decision, your current emotional state, and what you hope to gain from counseling. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether the therapist feels like a good fit. It's completely normal to feel nervous, and most therapists understand that opening up takes time.

Topics you might discuss

First sessions often cover foundational information that helps your therapist understand your situation. Common topics may include:

• The circumstances that led to the divorce decision
• Your current emotional state and any symptoms you're experiencing
• What you hope to achieve through counseling
• Practical concerns like co-parenting, living arrangements, or financial stress
• Your support system and coping strategies you've already tried

Cost considerations for divorce counseling

Therapy costs can vary widely depending on location, the therapist's credentials, and whether you're attending in-person or online sessions. The cost of online therapy via BetterHelp ranges from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, with costs based on your location, referral source, preferences, any applicable non-insurance discounts, and therapist availability. This may help if you're trying to save money for attorney's fees, living on your own, and other divorce-related expenses.

Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans, and coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. It can be helpful to check your plan details and BetterHelp eligibility information before starting therapy. Learn more about insurance coverage

BetterHelp also now offers psychiatry services through Uplift, which may be covered by insurance for eligible members. If you're exploring this option, costs for psychiatric evaluation, follow-up visits, and any prescribed medication can vary based on your insurance plan, provider, location, and clinical needs. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. BetterHelp does not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan. You can get started with psychiatry here.

Coping strategies during and after divorce

Along with attending divorce counseling, there are daily practices that may support your well-being during this transition. Combining therapy with self-care strategies can help you navigate the challenges of divorce more effectively.

Stay connected to your support system

Divorce can be a difficult time. You may be hurting, you may have had your trust broken, or you may be feeling ashamed or embarrassed. These feelings can be typical when experiencing a divorce. However, such feelings can sometimes cause you to isolate yourself, and this rougher patch in your life may be a good time to surround yourself with family members and friends who love and support you. If you have children, you can also consider family counseling to help ensure that your relationship with them remains strong.

Prioritize self-care

When your life changes dramatically, it's easy to forget about taking care of yourself. It can be helpful to make sure you get a healthy amount of sleep and eat nutritious meals. Exercise can help you feel more energetic and healthier. You may also want to practice mindfulness, meditation, or other activities that help you feel peaceful and fulfilled.

Rediscover personal interests

Divorce can be a time of transition, which may be a great time to rediscover who you are and what you're passionate about. You might pick up old hobbies that you haven't had time for or even try something new. Reconnecting with activities that bring you joy can be an important part of rebuilding your sense of identity.

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy can be arranged around your busy life, a feature that may be particularly useful if your work or family schedule has changed due to the end of a marriage. You can work with a caring, licensed therapist in the comfort of your own home and on any device with an internet connection. This flexibility can be valuable during divorce, when you may be adjusting to a new living situation or managing unpredictable schedules.

How online therapy may help during divorce

Online therapy is one way married couples can resolve logistical problems and heal emotional wounds after a divorce. One study suggests that online interventions can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression among divorcees. Therapy may ease some of the emotional burdens couples face during a separation. BetterHelp therapists who specialize in marriage and divorce counseling can offer ongoing support during divorce. With 30,000+ therapists available worldwide, there may be a therapist for everyone.