Divorce support groups provide a safe, confidential environment in which you can learn from others and gain confidence in yourself. Divorce support groups are a place in which participants can learn how to end a relationship and cope with their struggles. Individuals learn progressive steps in how to move forward in their lives. Women and men who are divorced can learn from one another. They may discuss children of divorce, how to grieve their losses, as well as learn what healthy relationships are.

Divorce support groups offer you hope in moving on to a new life with better self-awareness.

Helpful Guidelines about Divorce Support Groups

Q:  What should you expect from a divorce support group?

A:  Divorce support groups are a safe place where you are: 

• Able to voice your concerns
• Learning from others’ experiences
• Given guidance about the first steps you need to take going forward
• Building confidence
• Feeling supported instead of alone

Q: Who offers divorce support groups?

A: Find a professional who has credentials, such as an MSW, LPC, or Ph.D., qualifying them to facilitate divorce support groups. Select a marriage or relationship counselor, minister, psychologist, or social worker with experience working with couples.

Q:  I can’t afford private counseling, what alternatives are there to divorce support groups?

A:  If you are a member of a congregation, you may feel comfortable inquiring if your place of worship sponsors divorce support groups. Also, be sure to visit your local library or book store. There are excellent books, audio books and even DVDs you can borrow from the library (usually found in the Self Help section). The Internet can be an excellent resource for locating relationship experts, book reviews, and advice from qualified professionals’ blogs or newsletters focusing on fostering healthy relationships. (Be sure to check back with my blog, too.)

Q: Can divorce support groups help couples stay together?

A: A divorce support group can help a couple that is committed to making their relationship better. Both individuals must be open-minded. Each partner must accept that some changes in the way they relate to one another as a couple needs to occur, (otherwise they will just go back to their old patterns of behavior). The process of mending a relationship takes time, and it requires the willingness and commitment of both parties.

Q: My partner and I never married, and he recently left me, are divorce support groups open to unmarried individuals in my situation?

A: Divorce support groups are all about how to have healthy relationships, whether participants are married or not. Learning how to be healthier yourself, and then learning how to be healthy with your partner, is invaluable. Under the direction of a qualified relationship counselor, group members learn the steps we all need to take to become a good partner.

There are certain characteristics of a healthy relationship. Divorce support and relationship counseling also teaches the foundation of a meaningful relationship. In a group environment, you can learn from the facilitator and you can hear what others have to say, and decide what is right for you.

Work with Dr. Sara

If you live or work in the vicinity of Charlotte, North Carolina, and you are interested in joining one of Dr. Sara’s divorce support groups, get more information about her practice and group counseling here>>

If you are not local to Charlotte, North Carolina or if you want information about participating in online divorce support groups or counseling, contact Dr. Sara here>>