What is the difference between a divorce coach, a divorce therapist, and a psychologist?
A divorce coach uses a goal-oriented coaching process that helps motivate, support, and guide you through your divorce. They are not therapists, but they will help you move past the emotional rollercoaster and deal with issues that have arisen because of your divorce. Divorce coaches may or may not be trained professionals. In Canada, they can train to become CDC certified divorce coaches.
A divorce therapist can be a psychologist, social worker, career counselor, or marriage counselor. They use therapy – also called psychotherapy or counselling – in one-on-one sessions to resolve problematic behaviour, beliefs, and feelings that come with divorce.
Psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology, whereas coaches and many therapists do not. They attend graduate school to learn how to evaluate and treat emotional and mental challenges. They are regulated and licensed by each province or territory.
Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies – Canadian Psychological Association (cpa.ca)
Alberta- Home – College of Alberta Psychologists (cap.ab.ca)
British Columbia- College of Psychologists of British Columbia – CPBC
Manitoba- The Psychological Association of Manitoba (cpmb.ca)
Newfoundland Labrador- Home – NL Psychology Board (nlpsychboard.ca)
New Brunswick- College of Psychologists of New Brunswick (cpnb.ca)
Nova Scotia- NSBEP | Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology
Ontario- CPO Public – Regulating Psychologists and Psychological Associates in Ontario
Prince Edward Island- www.peipsychology.org/peiprb/
Saskatchewan- Saskatchewan College of Psychologists | (skcp.ca)