Collaborative Divorce encourages open communication. It creates a chance to begin healing, by talking, with one another and the collaborative team.
Granted, it’s ironic, since communication is often a primary area of stress in any marriage. But that’s why the Neutral Mental Health professional is so critical and productive in the Collaborative process.
In many cases, the collaborative interdisciplinary team is able to help couples actually improve their communication during the divorce process.
Here’s how that happens during Collaborative Divorce.
1) The collaborative team is built to assure open dialogue among all parties. In litigated divorce, opposing sides often try to angle for surprises. Such tactics prolong the process and entrench mistrust that will hamper post-divorce co-parenting.
2) Respectful communication is a focus (and an agreement) among all participants attending every meeting. Former clients have stated they experienced a sense of safety knowing everyone in the room has agreed to honor certain guidelines for effective communication.
3) Clients are offered the opportunity to meet with the mental health professional during the process. One focus of these meetings is developing healthy, effective co-parenting communication.
Better communications can save time, money and stress throughout the Collaborative Divorce process and in the years that follow. It also paves the way for effective co-parenting in the years thereafter. And that’s healthier for everybody.