Root to Rise: A New Model for Divorce

Your marriage is in trouble. You loved this person, you built a life together and it’s in jeopardy. 

What do you do? You have seen friends and family get divorced, maybe even lived through your parents' divorce. It was rough. Money, time, happiness was lost. The attorneys didn’t seem to help the situation. It took years to repair the damage.

I know that Courts are not designed to build healthy, strong divorced families. They are there to divide property and keep kids safe. That’s great, but it's not enough. Attorneys are advocates for their individual clients in an adversarial system. But, there should be no winners and losers in divorce. Struggling Families need to be on the same team and they need a good Coach. Someone to familiarize them with the rules of the game, create a team playbook, build up their strength and confidence and get them to win as a team.

So, after 20 years as an Attorney, I left the law and became a Relationship Coach and created the Root to Rise Program. I help couples take control of their own lives, save money and avoid a bad divorce. The Program is designed to help you avoid extra legal fees, time in therapy (you or your kids) repairing the effects of a bad divorce, and a lifetime of fighting. 

As your divorce coach, I don't give you advice. Rather, I help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to make good decisions and turn one household into two thriving homes.

This is how the program works:

Step One: Assessment. Figure out how you got here: individually and as a couple. What were you taught about conflict, marriage, and money? What resolution skills do you have to get you through the next phase of your life? How do you know if you are making a good decision?

Step Two: Strengthen. Once we identify the gaps in your knowledge and skills, we will fill them in by using innovative life coaching techniques. You will learn about healthy confrontation, effective negotiation tools, how to repair injuries, and how to set boundaries and expectations for the future. 

Step Three: Learn. With more mental strength and agility, you will be ready to learn about the divorce process. We’ll get the answers to specific questions like…

Is this the right time to divorce or should we just separate?

Is reconciliation an option? 

How do we protect our kids?

Who do I trust?

What do I need to be thinking about?

Step Four: Engage. Now you are ready to get on the playing field. The rules are clear. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You and your spouse are on the same team. So together, with the help of your coach, you will:

  • Identify the issues that will be a part of your divorce;
  • Create a parenting plan that includes a plan for telling your children;
  • Establish a budget and timeline for the divorce;
  • Create budget options for moving forward;
  • Make difficult decisions together using your new tools and the mediation skills of your coach; 
  • Have an attorney draft your agreement and final documents;
  • Avoid paying thousands of dollars to attorneys, financial planners and therapists;
  • Create the future you desire.  

At the end of the program, you will be ready to walk into a courtroom with clarity and confidence or avoid the court altogether. After all, the more decisions you make as a team, the less you have to rely on expensive attorneys. Enroll in the Root to Rise Divorce Program and make sure that everything is rigged in your divorced family’s favor.

Have questions? Send an email to [email protected] to schedule a consultation.

What People Are Saying:

There was a true sense of community in the group. I am just starting out and I no longer feel overwhelmed and alone. I’m leaving today feeling the grip of fear is releasing. THANK YOU!

Workshop Participant

Thea was extremely professional and empathetic. She explained the legal options in a clear and concise way that made a difficult situation more manageable.

Client

It was perfect! The delivery of the information was not preachy and was presented in a very down-to-earth, easy-to-apply manner. The warm atmosphere, the humor, and the realness really hit home.

Client

Monthly for 6 months

Your payment information will be stored on a secure server for future purchases

An agreement will be emailed to you upon purchase that must be signed before any coaching begins. Below are the terms of the agreement that you will be signing if you would like to read it before purchasing:

WELCOME LETTER & ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT 

Each new client to my practice is a welcome addition. Coaching is based on the premise that you already have the basic knowledge and internal guidance system to create your right life. The coaching process is a series of powerful exercises that will lead you to your truth, remove barriers, and create the life you are meant to live.  

To bring our “best selves” to the coaching relationship, it is important that we share the same understanding about how we will work together.  

Basic Shared Agreements:  

  • Changing habits of thinking and acting takes a concentrated effort and time.  
  • Each session is 60 minutes long and takes place by phone or Zoom. Please find a quiet space for our session. Coaching is most effective when you are able to be fully present without interruptions.  
  • In the event that you must cancel your scheduled coaching session, a 24-hour  notice is required. Otherwise, you will be charged for that missed session.  
  • I welcome your input and questions along the way. Our relationship is a  collaborative one, and the more you put into it the more you will get out of it. Ask me questions, challenge my point of view, bring resources to the table, tell me where I’m wrong, and share with me your insights along the way.  

Email/Phone Agreements:  

  • I welcome communication between our calls using Voxer, a web-based communication tool. The Voxer App is free and I will send you an invitation to your email after our first session. I listen to messages at least once daily, Monday through Friday. This is a great tool for staying in touch between sessions. Please know that I am always on your side. When I am direct in either verbal or e-mail conversation, I am usually challenging ideas or beliefs and never you personally. When in doubt, assume best intentions and ask questions.  
  • It is my expectation that you will reach out through Voxer if you hit a “sticky”  spot that you would like some feedback on, and that you will share the successes that you have on the way to creating your desired future.  

Scope of Coaching Relationship: 

All coaching services delivered by Thea Bourke Martin are meant to challenge, uplift,  and support you psychologically. However, coaching is not psychotherapy. If you feel psychologically stressed to the point that it is interfering with your ability to function,  please seek help in the form of a professional counselor.  

Please read the following and sign the agreement should you agree to each statement and wish to proceed:  

  • I understand that the life coaching services I will be receiving from Thea Bourke  Martin are not offered as a substitute for mental health care. I also understand that my coach, Thea Bourke Martin, is not acting as a psychotherapist and does not purport to offer mental health care.  
  • I understand that while Thea Bourke Martin is an attorney, she is not my attorney. She is providing life coaching services exclusively. Information or advice that I  receive from Thea Bourke Martin is not offered as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. I also understand that my coach, Thea Bourke Martin, is not acting as an attorney.  
  • I understand that Coaching is a potentially powerful alliance designed to help a client achieve specific, identified goals. Coaching may address specific personal projects, life successes, and/or general conditions in a client's life or profession.  
  • I understand that Coaching services may include values clarification,  brainstorming, examining patterns in life, identifying plans of action, the asking of clarifying questions and the making of empowering requests.  
  • As a client, I understand and agree that I am fully responsible for my well-being during, after and between my coaching calls. I am responsible for any and all choices and decisions I make.  
  • Your coach is committed to keeping all contacts, information and records confidential (see the confidentially agreement below).  

Your signature on this agreement indicates full understanding of, and agreement with,  the information outlined above.   

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT  

The conversations that we have within our coaching sessions are confidential and will be protected as such. Information will be shared outside of our sessions only with your  written consent or in the event that a Court Judge demands it, however, the following are instances where I would be obligated by law to break our confidentiality agreement without your permission:  

  • If it is assessed during your participation in coaching sessions that abuse or  neglect of children or elders is occurring.  
  • If in my presence you threaten to kill or harm another individual, and I am convinced that you will act on this threat, or that you may lose control of your actions.  
  • If at any time during the course of our sessions, I determine that you are a  danger to yourself, I will inform you of that opinion and make every effort to keep you from endangering your life. In some cases, this may include notifying the police or family members. 

In addition, your name and payments may be shared with the Martha Beck Institute or any other certifying organization that requires verification of my coaching hours. By signing the agreement, you are agreeing to verify our work together. The content of our coaching session will NOT be shared with said certifying organization.  

Your signature on this agreement indicates full understanding of, and agreement with, the information outlined above.