COUNSELLING & YOU
Have you been referred for counseling in the midst of your legal proceedings?
Do you know what to expect?
Here are the answers to some your questions:
FOR WHOM
The option of counseling is offered to couples involved in divorce proceedings as an alternative to litigation and also as a means of dispute resolution.
PURPOSE OF COUNSELING
To assist you and your partner in the resolution of certain areas of dispute, such as:
THE DIVORCE PETITION
Issues to tackle:
Does one party not want a divorce?
Is reconciliation a possibility?
If not, what are your options for an amicable divorce?
The FOCUS is on how to reduce the trauma of an acrimonious separation or divorce, for you, your partner and your children.
CUSTODY AND ACCESS
Issues to tackle:
Who is the more suitable parent for custody/access?
What kind of access arrangements should you have?
How are the children affected by the divorce?
How do we help the children cope?
The FOCUS is on the interests, welfare and rights of your
children.
NATURE OF COUNSELING
What it IS:
(a) CONFIDENTIAL & PRIVILEGED
What is discussed during the counseling session is not admissible as evidence in Court. This aids the parties in engaging in a more open discussion.
(b) HELPING IN THE EMOTIONAL ISSUES & CHILDREN’S ISSUES
The break-up of a family is a traumatic experience for both the adults and the children. How are you and your children coping with it? And while coping with it, how can you still make the right decisions for yourselves and your children?
(c) IMPARTIAL & NEUTRAL
Counseling is not about siding one party and neglecting the other. It provides an objective and non-judgmental forum for your discussion.
What it IS NOT:
1. A TRIAL
Counseling is not concerned about finding out who’s guilty and innocent, who’s in the right or wrong, unlike a trail.
You are not encouraged to accept an outcome which you are unhappy about. A settlement must be to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.
ADVANTAGES OF COUNSELING
Unlike the fight – fight situation of a trial, counseling takes a let’s –sit –and – talk –it out approach in resolving your partner’s and your dispute. This allows both of you to address your individual concerns in a MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY manner. A court judgment in the matter may not be to the liking of ONE or BOTH of you, including your children. This is your family, so YOU should try to make the important decisions. If you do not, an outsider to your family will have to make it for you. Remember, it is you and your children who will be the ones living with the LONG-TERM consequences of those decisions.
DURATION OF COUNSELING
Generally 1 to 3 counseling sessions are required, with each session lasting about 1 to 1 ½ hours. If necessary, a joint session (Joint Conference) with a judicial officer and counselor may be arranged, depending on the complexity of the case.
HOW TO HELP COUNSELING HELP YOU
- Have an open mind
- Be prepared to listen and communicate
- Offer constructive ideas and suggestions
- Focus on your future, not your past
NOTE:
‘WIN’ does not provide in-house psychological, spiritual, or personal counseling services. Client is encouraged and advised to seek expert advice in these areas.