The break-up of a marriage or committed relationship is, for many people, one of the most agonising experiences of life. It is preceded by several stages where either or both parties begin to emotionally separate from the other as disillusionment grows. As the original hopes and expectations for the relationship fade, erosion of relational satisfaction develops. Parties begin to detach from the other, usually signalling the inevitable physical separation that follows. There can be many ‘divorces within a divorce’ – many losses which need to be faced and mourned. These include emotional, legal, economic (changed financial circumstances), parental (where contact … Continue reading Separation and divorce