Divorce is the legal dissolution of your marriage, but there is a lot more to it than that. Not only are your parental and financial rights at stake but there are also plenty of emotions involved that you may not know how to cope with. Many people facing divorce find that joining a divorce support group helps them make it to the other side – often stronger than they ever believed possible.
While a divorce support group can help you address your emotions head-on, the most important step anyone facing a divorce can take is reaching out for the skilled legal guidance of an experienced Round Rock divorce attorney early in the process.
What Is a Divorce Support Group?
Divorce support groups are groups of people who are going through the divorce process or who have recently gone through the divorce process who meet either in person or online to discuss divorce-related topics like the following:
The divorce experience
The divorce process
The negative emotions commonly associated with divorce
Dating after divorce
In the process, group members offer one another support, which can prove invaluable. Divorce support groups range from groups that focus on general topics to those that are guided by specific themes or issues. For instance, you can find divorce support groups that focus on all the following topics:
Divorce generally
Topics related to co-parenting
Recovery after divorce
Post-divorce dating
There are also support groups that are based on age, same-sex marriages, religion, ethnicity, and more.
What Happens at a Divorce Support Group Meeting?
Every divorce support group is unique to the people who make it up, but understanding the basics can provide you with a better feel for what to expect. A divorce support group session can be led by a divorce coach, therapist, host, or peer who gets the discussion started and guides it as needed.
While some groups are quite small and intimate, others are very large. Ultimately, finding the right group for you may come down to trying a few on for size.
A Note about Confidentiality
Most divorce support groups have rules and regulations regarding confidentiality. If everyone in the group doesn’t feel comfortable opening up about their experiences, it hampers the experience of the entire group. As such, having strong confidentiality guidelines in place is a key element of a beneficial divorce support group and is something you should be on the lookout for.
Online vs. In-Person Divorce Support Groups
When it comes to divorce support groups, you have options, and one of these options is whether you’ll attend an in-person or an online group. While both groups naturally have similar priorities and goals that include providing support and generating thoughtful discussions, there is a difference, and one or the other may be a better fit for you.
Membership
It’s important to recognize that some divorce support groups have closed meetings, which means that only members – or those who are seriously considering becoming members – can attend. On the other hand, other groups take all comers, and anyone interested is welcome.
Choosing the type of group that’s right for you may take a bit of research, but getting it right comes with considerable benefits.
In-Person Groups
When you meet in person with other people who are going through challenges that are much like your own, the connection is more personal and direct than it can ever be in an online setting. It’s important to understand, however, that it may take you a while to warm up or share in a group setting, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The fact that you attend an in-person group does not mean you have to pour your heart out from the start – or ever. What you get out of your divorce support group will be unique to you, and for some people, that means simply listening and learning. Additionally, larger in-person groups often break down into smaller discussion groups, and this helps some people feel more comfortable opening up.
Online Groups
While online groups can’t compete in terms of human connection, they are difficult to beat when it comes to convenience. And many people find them immensely helpful. Divorce is often a whirlwind, and while an in-person group may not be feasible, an online group may.
Online groups are screen based, so they often have a facilitator who carefully guides the proceedings. This approach helps to ensure that all the attendees feel validated, are buoyed by the experience, and take something helpful away with them.
Finding the Right Divorce Support Group for You
If you’re ready to give a divorce support group a try, you should pat yourself on the back for taking action on behalf of your own well-being. From here, there are some steps you can take to help you find the right divorce support group for you:
Ask Around
Divorce is common, and you know people who have been through it. Ask trusted friends, family members, and coworkers for suggestions.
Talk to Your Attorney
Your seasoned Round Rock divorce attorney has a thorough working knowledge of all things divorce and can help steer you in the right direction.
Use Your Therapist as a Resource
If you already have a therapist or divorce coach, he or she is an excellent resource for suggestions regarding divorce support groups.
Do Some Research Online
Most divorce support groups have websites or advertise online, and better understanding what each has to offer can help you find the best fit for you.
Consider Your Current Connections
If you are a member of a religious or social organization, they may offer a divorce support group of their own or may highly suggest one, which is a great place to start.
What You Can Expect to Get out of a Divorce Support Group
There are distinct advantages to joining a divorce support group, but they don’t take the place of trusted legal counsel, and they can’t provide the kind of individualized attention and help that a one-on-one therapist can. If you’re experiencing emotional pain that you’re having difficulty managing, seeking professional counseling is always advised.
Divorce support groups provide all of the following primary benefits:
They allow you to voice your thoughts and concerns regarding divorce in a group setting, which has therapeutic benefits.
They allow you to share your unique story while shedding negative emotions – rather than holding on to them.
They give you a glimpse into the experiences of others, which may help you better understand your own situation and strategize a better path forward.
They allow you to focus on yourself while empathizing with others, which helps build strong, genuine connections and can lead to new friendships.
They afford you a means of nurturing yourself that goes beyond mere self-care.
There are a lot of options out there, so it’s possible to find a group that checks all the boxes on your list of wants and needs.
Some Concerns to Keep in Mind
Not all divorce support groups are created equal, and not every group is right for you. Some groups are better than others overall, and some groups will be a better fit for you than others. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing a support group:
When you join a group, you have no control over the other attendees. Some groups allow random members to take over, which can minimize the benefits afforded and can take a toxic turn.
The professional expertise and overall leadership ability can vary considerably from group to group. A group without solid leadership or structure can go very wrong.
Even if members of the group share legal information culled from their own experience, it may have absolutely no bearing on your own unique divorce case and shouldn’t be taken as advice. Only rely on legal advice from your seasoned Round Rock divorce lawyer.
Additional Therapeutic Resources
Divorce support groups often have a lot to offer, but additional therapeutic resources are also available.
Divorce Counseling
Divorce counseling helps couples address the marital issues they’re facing. Sometimes, divorce counseling helps couples get their marriages back on track, and sometimes, it helps to confirm the need for a divorce – or helps the spouse who doesn’t want a divorce come to terms with the idea.
Generally, a licensed professional, such as a therapist or counselor, runs these sessions and helps to ensure that they are safe, productive meetings that allow both spouses to feel heard.
Individual Therapy
If you are having trouble coming to terms with the idea of divorce or are experiencing related emotional challenges, individual therapy is an excellent option. In these sessions, a licensed professional will focus exclusively on your needs and concerns – helping you explore your best options, bolster your inner strength, strengthen your coping skills, and avail yourself of the resources available to you.
The following issues are often addressed in individual therapy:
Related sleep disturbances
Related anxiety or depression
Lack of interest in or enjoyment regarding activities you were once passionate about
Concerns related to drinking or self-medication
Issues regarding the navigation of a new romantic relationship
Unlike a support group, individual therapy focuses strictly on your concerns and affords you the private space to work through exactly what you’re going through. If the need for medication is indicated, your therapist may have the authority to prescribe treatment or may make a recommendation to your medical provider.
Individual therapy and divorce support groups often work well in tandem.
Family Therapy
Divorce hurts everyone in the family, and your children may face serious hurdles in relation to all the changes coming their way. Family therapy can help. Family therapy affords family members the space they need to express themselves freely, which can be when you’re all together or during a one-on-one session with the therapist.
Family therapy can also help families find their way post-divorce. This kind of therapy often involves the adults navigating effective co-parenting, the children acclimating to their new normal, and the entire family finding balance.
Family therapy tends to shoot for the following primary goals:
Fostering a healthier family dynamic
Addressing specific issues that arise, such as the divorce-related struggles children face and conflicts in parenting styles
Divorce Coach
Divorce coaches are relatively new to the scene, but they can fill an important role. Divorce is a complicated endeavor, and protecting your rights as well as your emotions is key. An important component of divorce is organizing your thoughts and your priorities, and a divorce coach can help with both goals.
If your emotions are clouding your good judgment, a divorce coach can help you identify the issue and explore better paths forward. Just as a sports coach can help you become a better athlete, a divorce coach can help you navigate the divorce process more effectively and efficiently – with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a professional backing you up.
Your Divorce Terms
When it comes to the matter of your divorce terms, your rights are on the line, and having a practiced divorce attorney on your side is paramount. While every divorce is specific to the unique circumstances at hand, the terms that need to be resolved don’t vary. You and your spouse will need to resolve all of the following divorce terms that apply to your case:
Child custody arrangements, including parenting time
The division of marital property
Alimony, or spousal maintenance
Each of these can play an important role in your future, which makes working closely with a savvy Round Rock divorce attorney in your best interest.
It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Round Rock Divorce Attorney
Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Round Rock, Texas, is a well-respected divorce attorney who is dedicated to helping you smoothly navigate the divorce process in focused pursuit of favorable terms. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (254) 781-4222 to schedule your FREE consultation today.