Anxiety and divorce, it’s even worse in the time of COVID-19. Anxiety is one of the most common feelings in divorce. There are so many unknowns. Where will I live? Will I have enough money? Will the kids be ok? Will I be alone forever? How will I parent alone? Am I still lovable? Am I losing my mind? I can’t function at work? How will this all work? These seemingly countless unknowns lead to significant levels of anxiety.
The additional stressors in our lives caused by COVID-19 make the anxiety worse. Is the virus going away? Is it getting better or worse? When will schools reopen? Will day care be available? How long will this last? Will there be another stay at home order? Will I lose my job? Will my spouse lose their job? Can my business survive this?
Anxiety makes it harder to take in and process information, and consequently, harder to make good decisions for both yourself and the children. We make bad decisions through the lenses of fear and anxiety.
The Collaborative Divorce Process is uniquely suited for Divorce in the time of COVID-19. One of the things that makes Collaborative Divorce different is the use of a Divorce Coach.
Divorce is an emotional process not just a legal process with financial issues. A Divorce Coach helps both spouses go through the emotional part of the divorce process. What professionals know, is that the emotional aspects of divorce heavily influence the ability of the couple to make decisions that best benefit both them and their children. Consequently, a Divorce Coach can actually help you save money by assisting you in dealing with the anxiety and other emotional aspects of divorce in a more positive way so that you can move on to making good decisions sooner.
The Divorce Coach can help with the Co-Parenting Plan by helping you protect your children from parental conflict and keep your divorce child focused.
The Divorce Coach can assist you both in managing your actions and reactions: what sets you off, what sets your spouse off, and how to manage them both.
How Does Coaching work in the Times of COVID–19?
Coaches have become adept with the use of on line video conferencing. Private meetings with your coach can be done on video platforms such as Zoom.
Team Meetings, parenting meetings and other group meetings can be done by Zoom. If you need to speak with your coach privately during these group meetings, there are “Chat” features and “Break Out Rooms” where you can have private interactions with your Coach. Video conferencing does not mean losing support from your Coach or other professionals.
Collaborative professionals who have been working with one line video platforms have found there are several benefits. One is that while the couple can see each other, they are not in the same room physically and the result has been calmer meetings for everyone. Other benefits include less commuting, less time off work, and the comfort and security of meeting from your own home.
Written By:
Shawn D. Skillin, Esq. https://collaborativedivorcecalifornia.com/cpcalprofessional/shawn-skillin/
Emily De Falla, Esq. https://collaborativedivorcecalifornia.com/cpcalprofessional/emily-de-falla/
Paula March, LCSW https://collaborativedivorcecalifornia.com/cpcalprofessional/paula-march/
Dawn Strachan, CEA, CDFA https://collaborativedivorcecalifornia.com/cpcalprofessional/dawn-strachan/