If you already have an attorney, maybe a financial advisor, and perhaps a therapist, why would you need a divorce coach too?
Strategic Divorce Consultant and High-Conflict Divorce Coach Mardi Winder talks with Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Divorce Coach Kimberly Lorah about what divorce coaching actually is, how it differs from therapy, and where a coach can fit into your professional divorce team.
Kimberly brings a unique perspective to the conversation because she works as both a therapist and a Divorce Coach and has also experienced divorce herself. She explains why therapy and coaching aren't interchangeable and why some people may benefit from having both types of support.
Mardi and Kimberly also discuss the practical side of divorce coaching. A coach can serve as a thinking partner, helping you get clear about what matters to you, prepare questions for other professionals, think through the consequences of different choices, and manage emotions so they don't take over when important decisions need to be made.
They also take a closer look at mediation preparation and why knowing what you want before you enter the room can make such a difference. Divorce can feel overwhelming, but preparation can help you approach important conversations and decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
Q&A
Q: What is the difference between therapy and divorce coaching?
A: Therapy and coaching serve different purposes. Kimberly describes therapy as going deeper into past experiences, trauma, patterns, and mental health concerns. Divorce coaching is generally more present and future-focused, helping clients identify goals, solve problems, prepare for upcoming decisions, and take actionable steps through the divorce process.
Q: What does a Divorce Coach do if you already have an attorney and other professionals?
A: A Divorce Coach doesn't replace your attorney, Financial Advisor, therapist, or other professionals. Instead, the coach can help you prepare to work more effectively with them. That may include identifying questions to ask, clarifying your priorities, thinking through options, preparing for difficult conversations, and helping you stay focused when emotions and overwhelm make decision-making more difficult.
Q: Can a Divorce Coach tell you what decisions you should make?
A: No. Kimberly describes the coach as a “thinking partner.” The goal isn't to tell you whether to keep the house, accept a settlement, or make another major decision. A coach can ask questions that help you consider what a choice could mean for your future and identify additional information you may need from the appropriate professional before deciding.
Q: How can a Divorce Coach help you prepare for mediation?
A: Preparation can include understanding what to expect, identifying what matters most to you, developing possible proposals, considering parenting and financial issues, recognizing potential emotional triggers, and practicing ways to remain regulated during negotiations. As Kimberly explains, mediation shouldn't be the first time you start figuring out what you want.
Q: Why does emotional regulation matter when making divorce decisions?
A: Anger, betrayal, fear, and uncertainty are understandable during divorce, but major financial, parenting, and legal decisions can have consequences long after those intense emotions have changed. A coach can help you recognize what you're feeling while also separating those emotions from the practical decisions that need to be made.
About the Guest:
Professional Counselor | Certified Divorce Coach | Single Mom | Divorce Thriver
Providing you with the guidance of a coach, the expertise of a therapist, and the understanding of someone who has been through divorce. Kimberly Lorah helps individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and courage to heal their hurt, find their power and design their future.
For Kimberly’s gift: https://kimberlylorahcoaching.com/quiz
To connect with Kimberly:
kim@kimberlylorahcoaching.com Email
https://kimberlylorahcoaching.com/quiz Free Self Assessment https://calendly.com/blossom-coaching/complimentary-meeting-30-minutes Calendly Complimentary Consult
https://www.instagram.com/blossomcoachingllc/ Instagram https://www.facebook.com/kimberlylorahcoaching Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlylorah/ LinkedIn https://www.youtube.com/@KimberlyLorahBlossomCoaching/podcasts YouTube https://open.spotify.com/show/7FpDJadok7I68s9kJPHgKM Spotify
About the Host
Mardi Winder is a Strategic Divorce Consultant and High-Conflict Divorce Coach who helps high-achieving individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in mediation, divorce coaching and conflict resolution, she supports clients in making smart decisions while reducing emotional and financial fallout, particularly in high-conflict, high-asset and complex divorces. Mardi is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and the Strategic Divorce Directory, LLC.
For Mardi’s gift: The Resilience Building Blueprint: A 28-Day Journey To A Stronger You https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/rbb
Connect with Mardi on Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4women
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinder/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4women
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