When Couples Decide to Separate in Couples Counselling

Couples’ counsellors have supported many couples in navigating their relationships to build stronger, healthier, 

happier relationships. However, even with an affective couples’ counsellors sometimes couples wait too long to access services or may have to come to realize that the best decision is to separate.  

Commonly, the couple are afraid for their child/ren, lost in how to co-parent apart, terrified of becoming a divorce horror story, and concerned about the expenses of lawyers and court. They are in distress and afraid of what comes next.  

With the big question, Now What?  

Couples’ counsellors have built a rapport with their clients, and now are faced with the difficult decision on where to guide them.  

Family Mediation may be what your clients need to be successful in this new chapter. Family mediators 

specialize in family disputes and are trained to help facilitate the negotiations, to achieve viable solutions. 

Family mediators are trained professionals in neutrality, writing parenting plans, 40-hour training in family law 

and support law with on-going training, and skilled in drafting mediation reports. Research has shown that mediation typically results in less conflict, and is more cost-efficient with quicker resolution times compared to lawyers and court.  

Effective mediation can be highly therapeutic for clients, with the nature of the problem-solving process often causing emotional catharsis. The mediators’ techniques consist of conflict management, future orientation, reality testing resolutions, and negotiation strategies. However, to be able to support clients in coming to agreements the clients might need an opportunity to air their grievances with their mediator and possibly their former partner, learn communication skills and think about what is best for their child(ren).  

As a couple’s counsellor supporting your clients by providing the best footing for this next chapter is important. Feeling confident in referring to a Family Mediator can help build the bridge between the client and a negotiated resolution. Therapists can also play an important role during the separation process as individual counsellors to support their grief and individual needs. Separation is one of the hardest transitions people face, and having a wealth of support betters the client’s success in the future.  

If you are looking to build confidence in a Family mediator lets connect, so you can refer your clients with confidence.