Divorce Recovery

Most people struggle with endings, whether it is an occupation, life transition, or relationship.  They can be difficult to navigate but it can also be the best decision to make.  In the United States, approximately 40-50% of marriages end in divorce.  It is frequently cited as one of the most stressful life events a person can experience.  

What is Divorce Recovery?

Much like any other ending in a person’s life, a divorce usually involves a grieving process that evokes a wide range of emotion, which can create struggle, confusion, sadness, and pain.  Unfortunately, this difficult decision often comes with a great deal of judgment from the outside world, even family and friends.  That same judgment is often accompanied by unsolicited and frustrating advice.  At OakHeart, we approach this life transition from a place of support and meaning creation.  It is common for people to experience denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance while they work through a divorce.  We want to help you make sense of each stage, while you reorganize parts of your own identity.  This is a time to also get in touch with your needs and understand yourself again.  It is easy to put yourself on the back burner when you go through such a painful part of life, but it is important to figure out how to make yourself a priority so you can put the pieces back together and live a fulfilling life.

During Divorce Recovery, individuals learn how to set boundaries for themselves, develop communication skills and problem-solving skills, work on co-parenting and balance, increase coping, recognize patterns, and develop a new social life.  Oftentimes, people feel lost and shocked as they attempt to push through a divorce, so it is very beneficial to have a therapeutic support to assist in making sense of this time.  It is important to have a support system in general and it is common for people to shift or create an entirely new one during a divorce, this is part of the process and can be worked on in therapy.  There is no rush or timeline, just an emphatic space for you to feel what comes to the surface for however long you need.  Whether you are considering divorcing, in the middle of a divorce, or finalized a divorce, we are here for you.
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It is a vulnerable experience that often leads to feelings of shame but it can result in a great deal of strengthening when you ask for help.  Simply put, this ending does not have to define your life – it can be the ending of a section that leads to a new beginning.  

Resources

General Information

Emily Frey, PsyD, LCP

Vanessa Osmer, MA, LCPC

Let our Divorce Recovery specialists help you!

​Call 630-570-0050 or email us at Contact.OH@OakHeartCenter.com