Welcome to Divorce Coaching Dispatch

Welcome!

Whether you’ve been in this work for a decade, you’re just beginning your journey as a divorce coach, or you’re simply curious about the business side of what I do, you already know: this is no ordinary career. Divorce coaches step into people’s lives at their most vulnerable moments—often when the ground beneath them is shifting in ways they never imagined. Coaches are not here to “fix” anyone, but to walk alongside them with clarity, courage, and compassion.

This Substack exists for one reason: to make us better at that job.

Divorce coaching is still a relatively young profession. We don’t have the decades of codified ethics that therapists do, or the procedural rules of attorneys. That freedom is powerful—but it comes with the responsibility to create our own gold standards. Without them, it’s too easy to blur lines, burn out, or unintentionally cause harm.

At the same time, we work inside a system that is deeply shaped by misogyny. Family court routinely fails protective parents—particularly mothers—when abuse is alleged. Joan Meier’s groundbreaking research found that when mothers allege abuse, they lose custody over 40% of the time. When fathers respond with a “parental alienation” claim, that number jumps to 60–70%. These are not random outcomes; they are the predictable result of systemic bias that prioritizes a myth of “friendly parenting” over child safety.

As coaches, we are often the only professionals who hear the full truth without the filters of legal strategy or therapeutic neutrality. That vantage point is powerful—but it comes with the responsibility to understand the systems harming our clients, and to guide them through without causing further harm.

I’m Kate Anthony, one of the pioneers of the divorce coaching industry and one of the most respected voices in this field. I’m the host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast (with over 3 million downloads), creator of The Divorce Survival Guide coaching methodology, and a certified coach who has spent more than a decade working with women navigating high-conflict divorces and abusive relationships.

I’ve coached thousands of clients, trained other divorce professionals, and built programs that blend trauma-informed practice, strategic planning, and systemic awareness. My work sits at the intersection of emotional support, practical strategy, and fierce advocacy — because I’ve seen firsthand how all three are essential to guiding clients safely through divorce.

I’m not here to gatekeep. I’m here to share what works, call out what doesn’t, and help build a profession that protects clients and challenges the system when it fails them. My voice matters here because I’ve spent years in the trenches, shaping the profession from its early days — and I’ve earned the trust of both my peers and the survivors we serve.

Each week (or so), I’ll share insights, strategies, and reflections in five main areas:

1. Coaching Practice & Ethics – The guardrails that keep both you and your clients safe.

2. Court Reform & Advocacy – Understanding and influencing the systems our clients navigate.

3. Core Client Struggles – Real-world challenges and how to coach through them effectively.

4. Skill-Building for Coaches – Expanding your toolbox for both the human and systemic aspects of divorce.

5. Business & Professional Growth – Building a practice that’s sustainable, ethical, and profitable.

I won’t sugarcoat the hard truths. The family court system is not neutral. Misogyny isn’t just present—it’s baked into its foundations. But this will never be a place of cynicism. I believe in the work we do. I believe in our ability to grow this profession into one that is respected, trusted, and impactful—not just for our clients, but for the systems they’re up against.

If you’re here, I’m guessing you believe that too.

So, welcome. I’m glad you found your way in. Let’s do the work—together.