How to Cope With Stress in a Divorce

Divorce is one of life’s most stressful events, for everyone involved. It is important that appropriate measures be taken to reduce the amount of stress that an individual going through a divorce experiences. By mitigating the stress, the separating couple is able to focus on the important details of the divorce.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet Connection
• Phone
• Contact Information for your Insurance Company
• Pen and Paper

1. Call your divorce lawyer and ask if they have a referral to a divorce counselor. Divorce lawyers usually have contacts to help individuals going through a divorce, include referral information for counselors or other professionals to assist one in coping with stress in a divorce situation.

2. Contact your insurance company to determine whether the counselor that your divorce lawyer recommended is contracted through your insurance. If the counselor’s services are covered, then you will need to determine how many visits are covered and at what cost. You will also want to confirm with your insurance company if a referral from a primary care physician is needed if you are on an HMO plan. If the counselor that the divorce lawyer recommended is not contracted with the insurance company, ask the insurance company for a list of counselors with divorce experience in your area that are part of your insurance plan.

3. Call the divorce counselor that was recommended, either by the lawyer or your insurance company, to make an appointment. Verify with the counselor that she has experience helping individuals cope with stress resulting from a divorce. Working with a counselor, in a one-on-one situation, is one of the most efficient methods to dealing with divorce-related stress.

4. Launch your web browser and go to the Divorce Support message boards. Finding support through an online support forum, such as those hosted at Divorce Support, is a fantastic way to deal with your immediate stressors as well as provide support in-between your divorce counselor appointments.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have children, be sure to look into counseling for them as well. Children also deal with stress as a result of a divorce and their needs must also be met.
• Take a day and spend it doing something that you love or relaxing at a spa with a friend. Stepping away from the situation and relaxing will help you recharge and better prepare you to face the upcoming divorce proceedings.
• If you post your information on a Divorce Support message board, be aware that some message boards are publicly viewable so do not post specific identifying information.

Resources

• Divorce Support Forums