This article is featured in the Herald Sun and is republished with permission.
More Aussies are turning to “divorce coaches” for support in separations, but experts warn the unregulated industry is exposing vulnerable clients to exploitation.
Coaches typically provide emotional support, legal guidance and financial advice — but concerns have been raised that some do not have appropriate qualifications, and customers may not be able to seek action if something goes wrong.
The industry falls outside the scope of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and without regulation, divorce coaches do not have to follow an ethical code of conduct or set standard fees.
Coaches commonly report charging between $180 and $350 per session, similar to the price of a psychology appointment without rebate.
Some prioritise accessibility, offering free online resources or bulk conference-style events at heavily reduced prices.
But at the other end of the spectrum, clients can pay thousands of dollars for bespoke coaching packages that have been tailored to their specific needs.
Some coaches also refuse to offer singular sessions, claiming results can only be seen after committing to a minimum of three months.
Coaches claim they help clients process their emotions and build confidence, plan for new living or financial arrangements, better manage conflict, and work on co-parenting.
But without regulation, Australian Association of Psychologists president Sahra O’Doherty is concerned people may choose a divorce coach based on personal recommendations and reviews, rather than expertise.
“Terms like divorce coaches cause public confusion when we don’t really know what qualifications they have, what legislation they abide by, and what they can reasonably achieve for a client,” Ms O’Doherty said.
“If somebody requires legal advice, maybe it is better that they see a lawyer or go to a free legal service.
“If they need emotional support, go see a psychologist who can also give you a mental health care plan rebate.”
It costs $1125 to apply for divorce in Australia, but law firm Aitken Partners estimates litigation to cost anywhere between $10,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the complexity of the divorce, while mediation sits at about $15,000.
While many divorce coaches have practised or still work as lawyers or psychologists, others are life coaches who have gone through a divorce themselves.
Ms O’Doherty cautioned against choosing coaches based on lived experience.
She said professional advice should be “replicable” and consistent, rather than based on personal anecdotes.
“It is really important for people navigating divorce who need support to seek professional help – emphasis on professional,” she said.
There are some formal qualifications in divorce coaching – such as becoming a Certified Divorce Coach (CDC) – but these are more commonly adopted in America and not formally recognised locally.
Anne-Marie Cade is a family lawyer and divorce coach who completed the CDC training. She now trains other coaches as the Australian learning director for the Divorce Coaches Academy (DCA).
She said divorce coaches are “often misunderstood” and play an important role in the separation process.
“Divorce is not just a legal event, it is a profound transition that requires emotional steadiness, practical support and clear thinking,” Ms Cade said.
“People want to engage with a coach because they want to approach the divorce process consciously rather than reactively.
“It is not legal advice, it does not replace a lawyer, and it’s also not therapy.
“A divorce coach supports clients to make better choices, manage practical tasks, and move through separation with greater clarity and resilience.”
Ms Cade is currently working to adapt the US-based DCA certification program in Australia. She said the training will run for ten weeks and will involve an ethical code, mandatory ongoing professional development, and mentoring.
Coaches will also have to complete the certification again every two years in order for it to remain valid.
“I would love to see this industry regulated,” Ms Cade said.
“If we have a certain standard, then we wouldn’t have so much confusion.”
Angela Harbinson, co-founder and chief executive of online divorce platform The Separation Guide, said 76 per cent of users request the type of support provided by a divorce coach.
“People will often engage a divorce coach when they’re right in the thick of their separation,” she said.
“They’re often very helpful in removing some of the bite out of conversations that can often send people into high conflict.
“Coaching or mindset support is really crucial because it gets you in the right state of mind to be making these really big, serious decisions, but combining that with some legal and financial advice is by far the best combination to get you a holistic or what I call a healthy separation.”
Dr Kelly Gough, president of peak body Australian Psychological Society, said the main problem with “divorce coaches, relationship coaches, separation coaches” was that they’re not protected terms, which meant there was no ability to seek legal action if something goes wrong.
“When anyone can call themselves these things, you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into and if you do have problems, you can’t complain [to a governing body] because there is no regulation,” Dr Gough said.
There are some exceptions to this.
If a divorce coach holds a current health worker registration with AHPRA, complaints can be directed there, and if they are qualified and practising as a lawyer, state-based legal commissioners can provide support.
Life coaches and counsellors are not regulated professions.
State-based health complaints commissioners accept complaints about unregistered health providers, but not all matters are included in all jurisdictions.
In Victoria, for example, complaints can only relate to health advice provided by a divorce coach, not problems with legal or financial guidance.