Separation Therapy

Separation therapy focuses on processing the emotions caused by divorce or the end of a relationship. It can be individual therapy or work done together as a couple.

When can separation therapy help?

• Considering or processing a separation
• Feelings of grief and loss when a relationship ends
• Child custody challenges
• Building a new identity after separation
• The process of forgiveness and letting go
• Supporting co-parenting after separation

How does separation therapy work?

In separation therapy, you work with a trained therapist who helps you understand the emotions that separation brings: grief, anger, relief, or guilt. Therapy can also help couples separate constructively, especially when there are children involved.

Individual or couples separation therapy?

• Individual therapy: Focuses on processing your own feelings and experiences
• Couples therapy during separation: Helps the couple separate respectfully and agree on practical matters
• Co-parenting therapy: Supports cooperation between parents after separation

Duration and price

Separation therapy is often short-term, but the length is agreed based on need. The price varies by therapist. Kela rehabilitative psychotherapy is possible only if there is a diagnosed mental disorder that threatens the ability to work or study and Kela's other conditions are met.

When should you consider separation therapy?

Separation often involves grief, anger, guilt and uncertainty about the future. It is worth seeking help if the feelings burden everyday life for a long time, you find it hard to function at work or as a parent, or you keep going over the same thoughts.

Where to get help?

Support for separation is available, for example, from the health centre, occupational health, services of parishes and organisations, and private therapists. If the separation involves children, family counselling can be useful. In acute distress, call the emergency number 112.