About separation
This page highlights therapists who list separation as a focus and who work with people navigating relationship endings and transitions. Browse the listings below to review approaches, credentials, languages, and areas of focus to find a match.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether separation is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has separation among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for separation
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingAngela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoy Nussen, LMFT
Ref 13668
Practical, compassionate therapy for adults
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDallas Bentley, ACA
Ref 345691
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Ref 29756
Compassionate clinical social worker with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingTomasz Konieczny, BACP, NCPS
Ref 199992
Practical, compassionate online counselling
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English, Polish
View listingMargaret Johnston, LMHC
Ref 62092
Calm listening that helps you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingPamela Benoit, NCPS, BACP
Ref 180577
Compassionate practical psychotherapy
Works with: Relationship, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingCaroline Woodford, BACP
Ref 203033
Person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingVictoria Postles, BACP
Ref 164179
Practical, person-led counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDanielle Horn, LMSW
Ref 272733
Focused therapy that digs to the root
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKizzie Wells-Daniels, LPC
Ref 67515
Therapist for stress, parenting, and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Anger Languages: English
View listingAllysia Steward, LCSW
Ref 331970
Compassionate skills-based therapy for daily life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRebecca "Becca" Mather, BACP
Ref 236007
Compassionate, practical support for life’s pressures
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJoanne Rothery, NCPS
Ref 179003
Compassionate counsellor for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Heather Clark, LPC
Ref 126027
Calm-focused therapy with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJennifer Lee Sylvester, LCSW
Ref 116075
Experienced LCSW offering respectful, practical care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingJulie Peterson, LCSW
Ref 315653
Compassionate, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJudith Ramsay, BACP
Ref 135275
Counselling that focuses on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingFaryal Choudry, LCSW
Ref 266995
Compassionate guidance for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAdrian Jackson, BACP
Ref 271038
Compassionate counsellor using practical, person-focused methods
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingLisa Peter, LCSW, LIMHP
Ref 288708
Practical skills for anxiety and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRev. Catherine Bogue, LCSW
Ref 168255
Compassionate guidance for life’s hard changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingStacey Tenbrink, LMHC, LPC
Ref 326268
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJohn Swearengin, LPC
Ref 93490
Practical support for stress, addiction, and mood
Works with: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingD. Jesse Bruesch, LPC
Ref 339826
Trauma-informed counselor focused on real change
Works with: LGBT, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRogenna Robinson, LPC
Ref 105891
Calm, practical support for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Lisa Hammons, LPC
Ref 251179
Calm guidance for stress, relationships, and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAndrea Antrobus, BACP
Ref 121857
Warm counsellor blending practical therapy and listening
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRose Sanford, LPC
Ref 150546
Practical support for stress and relationship struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingVivian Fleming, LPCC
Ref 88191
Practical support for trauma and mood challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Robert Nolan, LMHC
Ref 15781
Steady, practical counseling for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingJulie Fraser, BACP
Ref 160259
Practical support for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingColette Mattos, BACP
Ref 138095
Relationship and self-esteem focused counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJoanna Bienkowska, BACP
Ref 169468
Calm, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Polish
View listingMore about separation
Understanding separation and how it affects you
Separation can mean different things to different people. For some it refers to the end of a marriage or long-term partnership. For others it may describe the choice to live apart while relationships are reassessed, or the ongoing navigation of co-parenting after partners decide to part ways. The emotional landscape around separation often includes grief, relief, anger, fear, loneliness, and periods of longing. You may find that practical concerns - legal steps, housing, finances, and childcare - overlap with emotional concerns, making the experience feel overwhelming or fragmented.
How separation shows up in day-to-day life varies. You might notice difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating at work, or shifts in appetite. Social rhythms can be disrupted - friendships may change and family roles may be renegotiated. If children are involved, you may be managing both your own emotional responses and the needs of kids who are adjusting to change. Recognizing separation as a multifaceted transition helps you approach healing with patience and a focus on both practical problem-solving and emotional processing.
Signs you might benefit from therapy for separation
If you find that one or more areas of your life are being significantly affected by a separation, therapy can offer focused support. You may be having persistent trouble regulating strong emotions or you might feel stuck in cycles of worry or rumination that impede daily functioning. Difficulty making decisions related to living arrangements, parenting plans, or financial matters can also signal that outside support would be helpful. Therapy can be beneficial when you notice avoidance - withdrawing from friends or delaying necessary conversations - or when coping strategies that once worked no longer do.
Other signs include ongoing conflict with your former partner that interferes with co-parenting, repeated relationship patterns you want to change, or a sense of identity loss after the relationship ends. If grief is intense or prolonged, if you are experiencing intrusive thoughts that disrupt sleep, or if you feel unsafe in any way, reaching out for professional support is appropriate. Therapy provides a space to explore emotions, clarify priorities, and develop concrete plans for the next steps in your life.
What to expect in separation-focused therapy sessions
When you begin sessions focused on separation, the first meetings typically center on understanding your situation and identifying immediate concerns. You and your therapist will review what brought you to therapy now and what goals you want to work toward. Early conversations often include a review of relationship history, current stressors, support systems, and any legal or logistical factors that are shaping your choices. Your therapist will ask questions to get a clear sense of emotional patterns and practical needs so that the work can be tailored to you.
Subsequent sessions commonly balance emotional exploration with practical planning. Emotional work may include processing grief, anger, and loss, while practical planning might address communication strategies with a former partner, parenting routines, or coping strategies for high-stress moments. You can expect to practice skills in session and to experiment with new ways of responding between sessions. The pace is guided by your needs - some people prefer a longer period of reflective work, while others focus on time-limited, task-oriented strategies to navigate a pressing transition.
Therapeutic approaches often used for separation
Therapists use a range of approaches when working with separation-related concerns, and you may find different combinations helpful depending on your priorities. Many people find cognitive behavioral approaches useful for identifying unhelpful thought patterns and building concrete strategies for managing emotions and behavior. Attachment-informed perspectives can help you understand how early relationships influence how you grieve and form new connections. Emotion-focused approaches support deeper processing of loss and the development of emotional regulation skills.
You may also come across therapists who list narrative therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, or strength-based counseling among their approaches. Some practitioners mention modalities such as couples therapy for those still negotiating separation with a partner, while others list parenting-focused work to support families in transition. It is important to remember that a therapist listing a particular approach does not indicate a specific credential in that method; rather it signals the kinds of strategies they commonly draw on in their work. Discussing how an approach would be applied to your situation can help you understand whether it aligns with your goals.
How online therapy works for separation and choosing the right therapist
Online therapy has become a common way to work on separation-related issues because it makes it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule and to connect from a location where you feel comfortable. Typical online formats include video sessions that mirror in-person conversations, phone sessions when video is not preferable, and text or messaging check-ins for brief support between meetings. When you plan for online sessions, choose a quiet quiet space where you can speak freely and minimize interruptions. Confirming what platform features are offered - for example whether you can send messages or access session notes - can help you plan how to use therapy most effectively.
When choosing a therapist for separation work, look for clinicians who list separation, divorce, relationship transitions, or co-parenting among their focus areas. Pay attention to the approaches they list and how those approaches match the kind of support you want - if you need help with practical decision-making, therapists who emphasize problem-solving and planning may be a fit; if you need help with loss and identity, look for professionals who highlight emotion-focused or grief-informed work. Consider credentials and experience in relevant areas, the languages offered, and whether the therapist mentions experience working with families or children if that matters to you. You might also look for practitioners who describe their approach to communication, conflict resolution, and boundaries so you have a sense of how they will support discussions with a former partner when appropriate.
Finally, trust your instincts about fit. The relationship between you and a therapist matters for progress. In early sessions, notice whether you feel heard and whether the therapist offers clear ways to address both emotional and practical needs. Therapy for separation often involves difficult conversations, but it should also offer a steady structure for recovery and forward planning. With the right match, you can build tools to manage immediate stressors, restore a sense of agency, and begin shaping the life you want after a relationship changes.