When a marriage ends, individuals have feelings ranging from deep sorrow and loss to relief, hope and anticipation.  Children often feel overwhelmed, alone and confused as they try to survive in a world that may feel unfamiliar to them.  Parents frequently struggle with establishing a coparenting relationship, with making decisions about the access their children will have to each of them, and with ways of moving forward with their lives.

Collaborative Divorce is a unique process in which couples pledge not to go to court and agree to make decisions in a non adversarial environment which is achieved with the help of individual coaches.  The Collaborative process emphasizes mutual respect, focuses on the needs of the children, and creates structure for open communication and transparency. It also promotes and facilitates problem solving to achieve resolutions that are enduring and that everyone can live with.

In the collaborative process, each person has his/her own attorney and his/her own divorce coach.  The attorney provides legal advice and guidance.  The divorce coach helps manage the strain of changing relationships and helps navigate emotional roadblocks which might stand in the way of reaching resolution of issues.

Additionally, a financial neutral helps in gathering financial information that will enable the parties to make sound financial decisions; and a child specialist serves as the “voice of the child”. This specialist meets with the child and reports on the child’s needs, feelings and adjustment.  This information is then shared with parents and coaches as they develop a parenting plan that serves as a roadmap for access the children have to their parents, decision-making by the parents and communication between parents as they separate their lives and move into the future.

As a divorce coach with extensive collaborative team experience,  Ms Freed helps her clients to identify and express their interests and concerns in constructive ways.  She helps her clients deal with the emotions involved in this major life change and works with clients and team members to develop options and reach solutions that are specifically designed to meet the particular needs of all family members.