Colloborative Family Law — Victoria, BC

1. What if the spouses don’t get along well enough to be in the same room?
2. Is CFL cheaper than going to court?
3. What is a divorce coach, and how is a coach different from a therapist?
4. How is CFL different from mediation?
5. How is CFL different from going to court?
6. Why do the spouses need to get new lawyers if the CFL process breaks down?
7. What is the Victoria Collaborative Family Law Group?
8. Okay, I’m interested. How can I get started in the CFL process?
9. How can I get my spouse interested in CFL?
10. How can professionals join the Victoria CFL Group?
11. What roles do different professionals play in a CFL process?

What is a divorce coach, and how is a coach different from a therapist?

A divorce coach is a mental health professional (such as a psychologist, clinical counsellor, social worker or psychiatrist) who has completed collaborative training. A divorce coach has expertise in family systems, couples in conflict, child psychology and the impact of legal processes in separation. A divorce coach assists the parties and other collaborative team members (especially the parties’ lawyers) by:

• Helping to identify and understand feelings, values and needs;
• Providing support for the emotional aspects of separation and divorce;
• Looking at the problems in terms of “what is the problem” rather than who is right or wrong;
• Helping family members improve communication and reduce misunderstandings and blame;
• Helping parents develop effective co-parenting skills and on-going positive family interactions.

Sometimes there is a divorce coach for each spouse and sometimes one divorce coach sees both spouses.