When I went through my divorce nearly twenty years ago I turned to a psycho-therapist as my main source for understanding how I’d come to this devastating, life-changing decision.

As helpful as she was in allowing me to sort through the roles my ex and I played in leading to the dissolution of our marriage, it would have been more useful having had direct guidance in navigating the process of divorce itself.

As an example, I would have benefitted by knowing what choices I had, and what alternative avenues there were, for dispute resolution – outside of simply turning to an attorney – such as mediation, a pro-say (do-it-yourself) approach, or even a more collaborative divorce approach involving an entire team.

In the same vein, had I known more about the types of resources  available, beyond an attorney, I would have been in a better position to assess all of my options as they pertained to desired financial outcomes, future career possibilities, or how to adjust to single parenthood.

Anticipating the types of difficult conversations that lay ahead – with my spouse, my attorney, our friends and family members – would also have been extremely valuable as I might have focused more on developing new and effective communication strategies versus the blaming and defending tatics I had settled into.

Most importantly, I would have welcomed better coaching around how to break the news to our kids, and continued guidance on how to minimize the collateral damage of divorce on them.

I continued working with my therapist throughout the divorce, and eventually engaged the services of a career coach while stepping into single-parenthood and the role of primary care-giver. It was only after that experience, in working with a coach, that I decided to pursue coaching as my longterm goal and career path.

I ended up leaving my corporate background in sales and leadership consulting in New York City, in order to follow my new calling – first becoming a certified life coach, then a certified divorce coach.

Today, my intent is to encourage women (and Moms, in particular) as they make their way through the stressful journey of divorce, helping them see the light at the end of the tunnel, and challenging them to discover – and live – the life their hearts most desire.