Should I See A Therapist During My Divorce

By Author: Grant Gisondo
Total Articles: 19
Comment this article

Should I see a therapist during my divorce? A question like this is obviously answered on an individual basis. However, there are some signs which might indicate that you could benefit from seeing a therapist. And additionally, a therapist could be anyone from a psychiatrist to a pastor. Some professionals are specifically trained as divorce therapists, but sometimes other types of therapists better suit your particular needs. For example, a person who normally trusts in God’s intervention to make their life successful may begin to question if God really does care. Here a pastor trained in counseling is the best therapist and will additionally pray with and for the person facing divorce. Another example would be a parent who is struggling with coping with their children’s reaction to the impending family breakup, and seeing a family therapist would benefit the children as well as the parent. If simply coping with the many challenges of divorce is the issue, then a divorce therapist should work well. Therapy is designed to better prepare someone to deal with life in the best and most effective manner while learning to put ...
... emotions such as anger, resentment, jealousy, and sadness in proper perspective as the therapist helps the person work through life’s difficulties.

But how will a person know if it is time to see a therapist during a divorce proceeding? Here are some clues that can help you make that decision:
• You have trouble sleeping at night or even taking a restful nap. Your mind just keeps going over and over what is happening and doesn’t seem to allow you to stop thinking about your divorce.
• You sleep too much. You just want to stay in bed or on the couch. Likely, depression is creeping in, and a therapist can help you face the reality of your situation and help you find good in each day and begin to want to live again.
• You are losing or gaining weight beyond what is healthy. Weight changes are common during a divorce, but if it is excessive, you may need a therapist’s help. Likely, food or the lack of it somehow makes you feel better, and you need to learn other coping skills.
• You cry a lot, more than is safe for your emotional system. Sadness is normal when a home is breaking up, especially if you are the wronged party and there is already another partner for your spouse. Talking about how you feel and working on ways to find solace for your future can come from seeing a therapist.
• You have thoughts of self-destruction. Here a pastor can help if you are a spiritual person. Sometimes a medical professional can act as a therapist and prescribe medication to help with mood swings.
• You find yourself developing obsessive habits such as frequent buying sprees, obsessive drinking, over-exercising, or spending hours on Facebook. A therapist can help your figure out why you seem to need these obsessions and find other ways to use your time and energies to help you through your divorce in a more positive and productive manner.
• You are overly fearful of the future after the divorce. A therapist can help you look ahead and plan ways you can make a successful future by living within your means, making new friends, and even possibly making a new you by changing your hairstyle and revamping your wardrobe (a trip to Goodwill can be great fun), moving to a new community where memories won’t haunt you, and if your pocket book allows you to, take a trip to someplace you have always wanted to visit.

Seeing a therapist during your divorce is frequently a good idea. If paying for a therapist is a problem, there are often community resources that can help. Many therapists have a sliding scale based on your income, and some health insurance plans include therapy as part of their coverage. If you think therapy can help you through a difficult time, like most divorces, try to find a therapist you can work with. You will be glad you did.

Grant J. Gisondo is the founder of Grant J. Gisondo, P.A. to focus his practice on family and marital law with offices in West Palm Beach serving Palm Beach County, Martin County, Saint Lucie County, Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough and Orange County. Grant J. Gisondo. P.A. is a Board Certified Family Attorney in Palm Beach Gardens FL