Tips for Better Communication During Divorce & Beyond
Psychologist Wendy F. Habelow
By Wendy Habelow
Even under the best of circumstances, communication can be strained as a relationship is ending. Yet keeping the lines of communication open is essential for reaching an agreement in a divorce. Collaborative is ideally suited to help divorcing partners learn more effective communication strategies and is fundamentally designed to provide for face-to-face meetings with you, your spouse, your respective lawyers, and the whole team as needed for sessions intended to maintain open communication, produce honest exchanges of information and express expectations.
Here are a few tips about how to improve communication during divorce:
- Listen to what your partner is saying rather than only what you have to say.
- Focus on both of your goals and interests (rather than taking positions) and use them to generate options for compromise and agreement.
- Use the professional team as a model for respectful, civil and effective communication.
- Feel free to take a moment or step away if you become emotionally overwhelmed – it is better to take a pause to regroup rather than continue and possibly derail.
If you’d like more information, contact any member of CCDG
