Collaborative Divorce Coaching in California
Divorce without the courtroom. The end of a marriage does not have to be a battle. Collaborative divorce keeps what matters most at the center, so you can get through this with your family, your finances, and your needs aligned.
How collaborative divorce works
You and your spouse each have your own attorney, your own mental health coach, and one neutral financial specialist. Everyone signs an agreement to settle outside of court, so the work happens around the table instead of across it, with a team whose job is to find an outcome you can both live with.
What does a divorce coach do?
A collaborative divorce coach is a licensed mental health professional who helps you manage the emotional side of divorce so you can make clear decisions. Divorce brings up anger, grief, fear, and old patterns that can derail a negotiation in minutes. The coach’s job is to help you stay steady so the legal and financial work can move forward.
Preparing for team meetings so you can say what matters and hear what is said
Managing anger, grief, and anxiety when emotions run high
Recognizing the patterns from your marriage that show up at the table
Building a coparenting plan that keeps your children at the center
Working alongside your attorneys and financial specialist as one team
Why work with Dr. O’Dowd
Dr. O’Dowd is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY 35468) with clinical training and years in corporate and organizational roles. That mix gives her a clear view of what divorce puts at risk: your children, your career, your money, and your footing.
Early in her career she worked at a family law firm, and she grew up in a family of family law attorneys, so the legal side of divorce has never been foreign to her.
She has also been through a collaborative divorce herself and has coparented for years since. She knows what it feels like to sit at that table, and how much it helps to have someone in your corner who understands the emotional side of the process.
Dr. O’Dowd completed interdisciplinary collaborative divorce training and is a member of Collaborative Practice San Diego, Collaborative Practice California, and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Through these groups she trains and consults regularly with attorneys, financial specialists, and coaches across California, which keeps her practice current and keeps her connected to the professionals your case may depend on.
How coaching works
To begin...It starts with a free 15-minute call. If it is a good fit, you meet individually with Dr. O’Dowd before your first team meeting so you know what to expect and have a plan for the hard moments. From there, sessions happen as often as the process requires, and she stays in contact with the rest of your team between meetings.
Rates and meeting formatsAfter the free 15-minute consultation, the hourly rate is $250. A minimum retainer is collected once the scope of work is discussed. Collaborative divorce coaching is not covered by insurance. See fees and insurance for payment and cancellation details. Sessions are available by secure video throughout California and in person in Los Angeles County, including Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach, and in San Diego County.
For attorneys and financial professionalsDr. O’Dowd accepts coaching referrals from collaborative attorneys and financial specialists across California and works in either a one-coach or two-coach model, whichever your team prefers. She is available for team meetings virtually or in person. To refer a client or talk through a case, call or text 310.853.2557, or use the contact form.
Frequently asked questions
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Either model works. Some teams use one neutral coach for both spouses, and some give each spouse their own coach. Your team will help you decide.
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Coaching is short term and focused on the divorce process. If you want ongoing support, women’s mental health therapy is also available at TrueLife, or Dr. O’Dowd can provide a referral.
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Not necessarily. Some clients start with a coach and then choose attorneys. If you do not have a collaborative attorney yet, Dr. O’Dowd can point you to practice groups that fit your needs.
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Collaborative divorce requires both spouses to agree to the process. If your spouse is not willing, coaching can still help you prepare for mediation or manage a litigated divorce.
