Stages of Recovery
Divorce grief often follows similar stages to other major losses:
- Shock/Denial: Initial disbelief, numbness
- Anger: Frustration, resentment, blame
- Bargaining: "What if" thinking, guilt
- Depression: Sadness, withdrawal, grief
- Acceptance: Moving forward, new normal
These stages aren't linear—you may move back and forth between them.
Coping Strategies
- Allow yourself to grieve—don't rush healing
- Maintain routines and self-care
- Lean on support networks (friends, family)
- Consider professional counselling
- Avoid major life decisions initially
- Limit alcohol and unhealthy coping
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- Stay physically active
Edmonton Support Resources
Counselling Services
Catholic Social Services, Jewish Family Services, Momentum Counselling (sliding scale)
Support Groups
DivorceCare, church-based groups, community league programs
Free Legal Help
Legal Aid Alberta, Edmonton Community Legal Centre, Law School Clinics
Helping Children Cope
- Reassure them the divorce is not their fault
- Maintain consistent routines
- Never badmouth the other parent
- Allow children to express emotions
- Consider children's counselling
- Keep both parents actively involved
- Watch for signs of distress (grades, behavior)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery time varies, but research suggests it takes 1-2 years on average to adjust to life after divorce. Factors affecting recovery include length of marriage, who initiated divorce, presence of children, support systems, and individual coping skills.
Edmonton offers many divorce support resources: divorce support groups, individual counselling, family therapy services, legal aid clinics, community programs, and faith-based support groups. Many are free or sliding scale based on income.
Help children by: maintaining routines, avoiding conflict in front of them, allowing them to express feelings, not putting them in the middle, reassuring them it's not their fault, considering children's counselling, and keeping both parents involved.