Note that information given in this section cannot take the place of a divorce therapy professional. For advice about your specific situation, you must consult a qualified counselor. See our disclaimer.

Since divorce is the process of experiencing the death of a relationship, mourning that death is equally as essential as mourning the death of a loved one, if one is to move forward in life as a no-longer married person.

The degree to which one's divorce will lead to happier horizons depends on an awareness and acceptance of the mourning process. The mourning process is the key to healing.

How long does the mourning process last? Each person experiences the process in his or her own unique way, so no set time can be given for everyone. However, it usually takes up to two years until one begins to feel a sense of self as a separate individual with possibilities of self-realization that seemed impossible at the beginning of the divorce.

Dr. Deborah Hecker welcomes calls from both divorce lawyers and clients for assistance during the divorce and post-divorce processes.