By RNZ Divorce coaches are becoming more prevalent in New Zealand, offering practical support on co-parenting and financial matters before the lawyers get involved. New Zealand’s first certified divorce coach Kimberlee Sweeney has been practising for nine years and says help with communication, coaching and conflict management can ease an often painful process. Sweeney joined Jesse Mulligan on RNZ ’s Afternoons to explain what a divorce coach does and offer some tips for making the process less overwhelming.
She said she was a trained collaborator. “I can work alongside the lawyers, and they will often communicate with me about the client and the progress and how I can support the client outside of the legal appointments. “Generally, most collaborative lawyers are really well versed in engaging the divorce coach in the process, because it helps the client be a better client as well, supporting them before, during and after those legal appointments and meetings.
” Many clients contact her at the ‘should I stay or should I go?’ stage, she said. “They’re trying to figure out whether they want to stay in the relationship and make it work, or whether they’re ready to leave. And they want to explore what both options look like and what they can consider in the decision-making before they finally talk to their partner.
” She encouraged people to explore every possible solution for saving a relationship, particularly with children involved. “One of the biggest t.
