Couples considering divorce are frequently advised to seek counseling before making a final decision to dissolve the marriage.  Counseling assists the couple in addressing ongoing problems within their marriage.  First and foremost are the needs of the children, and counseling can help determine necessary steps for ensuring that the children’s best interests are served.

A counselor will view the marriage objectively and can help sort through the relationship problems of the couple.  The couple may decide they want to continue the marriage if they realize that major conflicts can be resolved through counseling.  If the couple decides that the marriage is not salvageable, the counselor will help the couple deal with the emotional process of separation and divorce and also plan for life without marriage.  Counselors are also a good source of information regarding what to expect during the divorce process.

Relate is a counseling service with eighty-two counseling centers throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.  Information about Relate can be found on http://www.relate.org.uk/.  This counseling service offers individual and couple counseling, workshops, courses, and mediation for couples.  Relate’s website supplies a list of books that can be used by couples seeking relationship advice.  Advice can also be obtained through phone calls to Relate counselors.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s website is http://www.bacp.co.uk/.  The user can request a list of names of therapists in a particular region, and therapists’ websites are listed for additional information.

Parents can find parenting advice and techniques on http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/.  This website is geared toward all parents, but divorcing parents can find valuable tips on handling their children’s difficulties during the separation and divorce periods.  A twenty-four hour telephone service is available, and parents have access to trained counselors through email.    Parentline Plus also offers message boards for parents desiring to talk to other parents, and a question and answer section is featured.  Parenting groups and workshops are available, either in a group setting or by phone.

Children can find advice through Childline, found at http://www.childline.org.uk/.  Although children in a divorce situation can receive support and comfort through Childline counselors, any child or young adult in the UK can call Childline’s free hotline for advice. 

It’s Not Your Fault is another counseling service option.  Children as well as young adults and parents experiencing a divorce are welcome to contact It’s Not Your Fault.  Information about this service can be found on http://www.itsnotyourfault.org/. 

The main government divorce site: http://www.ondivorce.co.uk/gov.htm 

Family Mediation: http://www.advicenow.org.uk/ family-mediation/were-splitting-up/ n etc

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/family-mediation/were-splitting-up/what-you-need-to-sort-out-html,553,FP.html

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/family-mediation/were-splitting-up/solicitors-html,556,FP.html

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/family-mediation/were-splitting-up/court-html,557,FP.html

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/family-mediation/were-splitting-up/checklist-going-to-mediation-html,558,FP.html

http://www.family-solicitors.co.uk/divorce-faq.htm

http://www.venables.co.uk/sitesf.htm  http://www.itsfinished.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=112