Separation and Divorce Support

Our therapists work with clients who are considering divorce in various  formats. You may attend by yourself, to address individual concerns, or  with your spouse and/or other family members.

Whether you are considering divorce as a viable option, or just seeking a way to end the lack of fulfillment in the current relationship, our therapists can expertly guide you through your choices. 

We offer 3 different therapy options for couples facing the possibility of separation and/or divorce:

1.) Decision-Making Therapy
When  you're sure your relationship can't endure anymore of the current  problems, but are unsure whether divorce is the right decision, our  therapists can help you explore your options. The goal in Decision  Making Therapy is to come to a decision from a place of health and  strength, not blame and anger. When the issues that brought you into  therapy are resolved, a decision can be made with clarity and  effectiveness.  

2.) A "Therapeutic Separation" -- The Divorce Alternative
This tool is offered for couples in which one or more of the individuals find continuing to live together unbearable, but who are still willing to work on healing the damage from the past, or at least explore whether or not healing is possible. 

A Therapeutic Separation is a structured, written contract, in which the couple agree on various aspects of the separation in therapy. In a  Therapeutic Separation, the couple continues to attend therapy together,  and they may attend individually as well. The main goal is to heal the  damage and begin practicing new, healthier relationship skills with one  another. The goal is not necessarily to reconcile the marriage, although this is often the desired outcome of one or both parties.

Many couples find that once the painful past has been resolved and new skills have replaced the dysfunctional behavior patterns, a new,  wonderful future as a couple emerges. In other cases, peaceful resolution to historic conflict leads the couple to a much less conflictual divorce. At this point, they may choose to utilize our third  option, "Divorce Mediation."

3.) Therapeutic Divorce Mediation
This option is for couples who are clear that divorce is the next step. The therapist facilitates a collaborative agreement that works for both parties. These sessions usually result in a written document that can then be brought to one attorney, who can be hired collectively by the couple to make it a legally binding contract. This process usually saves a great deal of time, legal fees, and emotional energy. Most importantly, in many cases, this process totally eliminates the need to be embroiled in the family court system.

Therapists at MFTS are NOT Certified Mediators; however, extensive training and years of experience make them highly qualified to mediate the ending of a marriage from a non-legal standpoint. Clients who go through Therapeutic Divorce Mediation with us report that while it is a painstaking and sometimes difficult process, it brings them great relief and a closure that wouldn't have felt possible if they had gone through the much more adversarial family court system.

It is important for clients considering Mediation with MFTS to understand that they will still incur whatever legal costs are involved with filing documents and settling the divorce. MFTS cannot provide any legal advice, and should not take the place of qualified legal advice and/or representation.