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Learn more about divorce & break up
Divorce and breakup therapy is professional support for people going through the end of a marriage or significant relationship, whether the separation is being considered, underway, or already behind you. A relationship ending is consistently ranked among the most stressful life events, often bringing grief, anger, relief, guilt, and uncertainty about the future, sometimes all at once. Therapy offers a structured space to process these emotions, make clearer decisions, and rebuild a sense of identity outside the relationship. Support is just as relevant after a non-marital breakup as after a divorce: the depth of the loss matters more than the legal paperwork.
Many people seek support around a separation even when they're coping outwardly well. You don't need to be in crisis for therapy to be worthwhile.
Therapy might help if:
- You keep replaying the relationship or the breakup, and struggle to think about much else
- You feel stuck between staying and leaving, and can't reach a decision alone
- The separation involves children, and co-parenting conversations keep turning into conflict
- You're functioning at work but feel numb, exhausted, or untethered outside it
- Loneliness or anxiety about the future is affecting your sleep or daily routines
- Friends and family have opinions, but you need a space that's impartial
- A past breakup still shapes how you approach new relationships
Several approaches can support you through a divorce or breakup, and the right one depends on where you are in the process and what you need from it.
Counselling offers an impartial, supportive space to talk through the separation and the feelings it brings up. It suits people who need room to process before making decisions.
Couples therapy helps partners who are uncertain about separating, or who want to end the relationship with less conflict. It can clarify whether the relationship can be repaired or how to part constructively.
Mediation supports separating partners in reaching practical agreements, from finances to parenting arrangements. It's especially useful when communication has broken down but decisions still need to be made together.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) helps you identify and challenge the thought patterns that keep you stuck after a separation, such as rumination or self-blame. It suits people who want a structured, practical approach.
Person-centred approach follows your own pace and priorities rather than a fixed programme. It can help when the loss feels closer to grief and needs space rather than technique.
Choosing an approach isn't something you have to do alone. IC's matching can pair you with a therapist whose approach suits your situation. Get matched.
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. The platform is free to use, with over 2,500 vetted therapists offering in-person sessions in cities including Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Vienna, alongside online sessions worldwide.
Choosing a therapist during a separation can feel impossible when every other part of life is already in flux. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
Get matched with a therapist who specialises in divorce and breakup support, or browse all divorce and breakup therapists in the directory.
