From the Book: Divorce Amicably
This is a chapter summary from Chapter 6 of Divorce Amicably, a guide to navigating separation with dignity and cooperation.
Chapter 15 Author: Kathleen Shack
Kathleen Shack, M.S., LMFT, has been in practice for over 21 years. She is an experienced Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Couples Therapist, Certified Discernment Counselor, Divorce Coach, Co-Parenting counselor, and Mediator. She helps individuals, couples, and families minimize the negative and find lasting solutions that work for their family. Kathleen helps people find inner strength and gives them tools which they can use to navigate their world. Using the Gottman Method, Kathleen guides couples on how to build and maintain healthy relationships. Discernment Counseling helps couples on the brink of divorce to gain clarity and confidence about the direction of their relationship.
Chapter 15: Preparing Emotionally
Divorce is 95% emotional and 5% legal—yet most people spend all their energy on the legal aspects while ignoring the emotional tsunami that determines whether they'll make sound decisions or costly mistakes. In this transformative chapter, licensed marriage and family therapist Kathleen Shack reveals why the emotional impact of divorce equals the grief of losing a close family member, and provides a roadmap for navigating this profound loss without letting emotions derail your future. Drawing from her expertise as a Certified Gottman Couples Therapist and Divorce Coach, Shack shows how understanding and managing your emotional journey can mean the difference between a bitter, expensive battle and a dignified transition.
Shack walks readers through the five stages of divorce grief, revealing both the benefits and dangerous traps within each stage. She exposes how being stuck in denial can sabotage mediations, how unchecked anger leads to unnecessary legal maneuvering, and why some depression is actually necessary for healing. Most importantly, she provides concrete strategies for harnessing your thoughts, controlling anxiety-provoking behaviors, and turning divorce from a devastating ending into an opportunity for growth and renewal.
Key Takeaways
Who Should Read This Chapter
This chapter is absolutely essential for anyone beginning the divorce process who wants to avoid the emotional traps that lead to poor decisions, damaged children, and financial disaster. It's equally valuable for those already in divorce proceedings who feel overwhelmed, stuck in anger or denial, or unable to think clearly enough to negotiate effectively.
Whether you're struggling with guilt that makes you give away too much, anger that clouds your judgment, or depression that paralyzes your ability to act, Shack provides the professional guidance you need to regain control. This chapter speaks to parents worried about their children's wellbeing, individuals who fear they'll never recover from the pain, and anyone who suspects their emotions are sabotaging their divorce outcomes but doesn't know how to break the cycle.
Get your copy of "Divorce Amicably" today and learn how to master the 95% of divorce that truly determines your outcome—because y
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