I provide personalized divorce coaching to help you navigate this challenging transition with dignity and confidence.
Morton, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal & Central Illinois
I provide personalized divorce coaching to help you navigate this challenging transition with dignity and confidence.
Strategy, preparation and support
Divorce coaching is a structured, goal-oriented process that helps you navigate the practical and emotional challenges of divorce—so you can make better decisions, reduce costly mistakes, and come out the other side with your dignity and your future intact.
Unlike therapy, divorce coaching is forward-focused. We're not spending sessions unpacking your childhood or processing years of hurt, though your feelings absolutely matter here. We're mapping out what needs to happen, building your confidence, and making sure you walk into every attorney meeting, difficult conversation, and financial decision fully prepared.
Unlike your attorney, a divorce coach is not billing you at attorney rates to answer basic questions about divorce terminology or how to talk to your children about the separation. That is where I come in. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice; I help you prepare and use your attorney's time more effectively.
Start with a no-pressure 30-minute conversation.
A practical path forward
We begin with a private, no-pressure 30-minute conversation. You tell me where you are—contemplating divorce, in the middle of it, or finding your footing afterward. I listen, ask questions, and tell you honestly whether coaching is the right fit.
During your first paid session, we map your situation and identify your most urgent priorities—whether that is understanding your financial picture, preparing for an attorney consultation, figuring out what to say to your children, or processing a difficult decision. You leave with a clear action plan.
Most clients work with me through a structured package. Sessions are typically 60 minutes, weekly or biweekly, with resources, worksheets, and check-ins that adapt as your situation changes.
You move forward with a clear action plan, better preparation for important decisions, and ongoing support as your situation evolves.
Support for each stage
Every client's divorce is different. Here is what we typically cover before, during, and after the divorce process.
You do not need to have everything figured out before you call. That is exactly what we figure out together.
Local understanding matters
Illinois divorce law has its own timelines, requirements, and norms—and if you are in Central Illinois, I know the local landscape well.
Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means you do not need to prove wrongdoing to file. The legal ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. Illinois does not impose a general waiting period to file a divorce petition; however, at least one spouse generally must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the divorce judgment can be entered. Divorce timelines vary depending on the circumstances of each case.
Katie Vandenberg is a divorce coach, not an attorney, and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Illinois family-law attorney. Authoritative references: Illinois Courts' approved divorce forms and the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
Is coaching right for you?
You do not need to have everything figured out before you call. That is exactly what we work through together.
Your first 30-minute discovery call is free.
Experience with heart and strategy
I became a divorce coach because I lived through a divorce myself and experienced firsthand what was missing from the process: someone in your corner who is not a lawyer, therapist, or friend trying not to say the wrong thing. Someone trained specifically to help you think clearly, prepare strategically, and move forward with confidence.
I am a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®—one of fewer than 1,000 coaches in the world with this credential—and I have worked with clients in Central Illinois and across the country since I launched Focused Forward.
My certification training covers divorce-law basics, financial literacy for divorce, co-parenting, communication strategies, high-conflict situations, and coaching methodology. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice. I help you use your attorney more effectively, make better personal decisions, and navigate the emotional and practical realities of divorce with your head on straight.
More guidance from Katie
Visit the complete FAQ page or explore these divorce-support articles.
If you're reading this, you're probably wondering if what you're experiencing is “normal” relationship conflict or something more serious.
Read the article →
There is no perfect time to start your divorce journey. Waiting for ideal conditions can prolong pain for everyone involved.
Read the article →
The most dangerous phrase in any major life transition? “How hard can it be?”
Read the article →“What a lifeline!! Katie helped me through the intense rollercoaster of one of the most complicated divorce processes ever. She has an incredible gift of staying relational and calm AND is able to be focused and factual. This is a rare find in a human! Her ability to help me stay focused on next steps despite the chaotic events of the divorce kept me grounded. She helped me fill out complicated court paperwork one step at a time. She helped me talk through and formulate my questions before I called my lawyer so I could be articulate and precise. Before I secured Katie's services, I remember wondering if I could afford a divorce coach. The truth is, I couldn't afford to go through my divorce alone without Katie. Highly recommended.”
— Dee B., Chillicothe, Illinois
Clear answers before you begin
A divorce coach provides strategic, practical, and emotional support throughout the divorce process. She helps you prepare for attorney meetings, organize financial documents, build a parenting plan, communicate with your spouse, and make clear-headed decisions under pressure. Unlike a therapist, she is forward-focused. Unlike an attorney, she is accessible, affordable, and not billing you for legal strategy.
Therapy focuses on emotional healing—processing grief, trauma, anxiety, and past experiences. Divorce coaching focuses on strategy and action: what decisions need to be made, how to prepare for the legal process, how to communicate effectively, and how to protect your future. Many clients work with both at the same time. They serve different purposes.
Yes. A divorce coach is not a legal professional and does not give legal advice. You still need a licensed Illinois family-law attorney to represent you in court proceedings and draft your legal documents. Coaching helps you use your attorney's time more efficiently, so you are spending less and getting more done per session.
Divorce coaching is significantly less expensive than attorney fees. I offer packaged programs as well as individual sessions. You can find full pricing on the divorce coaching pricing page. Most clients find that working with a coach reduces their overall divorce cost by reducing wasted attorney time and helping them avoid costly reactive decisions.
Yes—sometimes. If you are not certain divorce is the right path, that is exactly where we start. I am not here to push you toward divorce or away from it. I help you get honest with yourself about what you want and need and make the decision that is right for you—even if that means working on the marriage.
Yes. While most of my clients are women, I work with anyone navigating divorce who wants strategic support. The process, stress, and questions are largely the same regardless of gender.
Absolutely. I work with clients nationwide via Zoom. Illinois-specific information applies if you are in Illinois, but the coaching itself—decision-making, attorney preparation, communication, co-parenting, and organization—is relevant regardless of your state.
Take the first step
Whether you are just starting to think about divorce, in the middle of a messy process, or trying to rebuild on the other side, there is support available that fits what you are going through. A 30-minute discovery call costs you nothing. Let's talk about where you are and what would actually help.
