Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)
Therapist Uncensored Podcast
Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD
4.7 • 1.5K Ratings
🗓️ 21 April 2026
⏱️ 15 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Patreon/Supercast Special Release –
Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)
This is a sneak peek of our episode with Oona Metz – available only on our Premium Supercast and Patreon platforms. For as little as $5/month you can have access to special releases like this one, first-to-know about upcoming events and discounts and an ad-free feed.
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Divorce Isn’t One Moment—It’s 5 Phases
Therapist and author Oona Metz draws on three decades of experience supporting women through divorce. She breaks down the emotional arc of separation through her five-phase model, offering a clear lens into the grief, upheaval, and eventual growth that can unfold. The episode also explores common misconceptions, practical guidance for clinicians and individuals,
and the powerful role of support groups in the healing process.
“Well meaning friends and family who are not divorced often can’t grasp the weight of uncertainty that coincides with dismantling a family. No one brings a lasagna or sends flowers when a marriage dies.” – Oona Metz, LCSW CGP
Time Stamps for Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz
06:40 Contemplating divorce: The struggle and decision-making process
12:22 The five phases of divorce: Understanding heartbreak
26:03 Mending: Healing and self-care after divorce
28:14 Navigating parenting through divorce
30:54 The process of letting go
54:28 Supporting friends through divorce
About our Guest – Oona Metz, LCSW CGP
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. I have 30 years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups. My private practice offices are located in Brookline and Arlington, Massachusetts. I am active on numerous committees and boards related to group therapy and prioritize ongoing learning in diversity, equity, and inclusion. My practice is focused on individual adults, and group therapy. I specialize in working with women+ who are in transition. Whether transitioning from college to graduate school or work, beginning or ending a relationship or job, becoming a parent or empty nester, or coming out to family and friends, these experiences offer an opportunity for reflection, insight and meaningful change
Resources for Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz
Oona’s Website – Resources, trainings & other information
Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women – Get your copy on Oona’s book
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | If you haven't heard about somebody's difficult marriage, don't assume that it didn't exist. |
| 0:07.0 | I think sometimes people feel surprised when their friends are getting divorced. |
| 0:13.0 | Like, oh my God, but you seemed like you were so together. |
| 0:16.0 | You know, we're friends and you never told me anything was wrong. |
| 0:20.0 | Well, you know, I think for so many |
| 0:22.9 | people that a difficult marriage can be kept private. And oftentimes people feel like they don't |
| 0:30.8 | want to tell other people because they don't want other people's advice or judgment. But sometimes they don't want to tell other people because |
| 0:39.9 | they can't say it out loud to themselves because they're not ready. So sometimes people go |
| 0:44.8 | through years and years of a very difficult marriage and they don't tell anybody, partly because |
| 0:51.0 | they're not ready to act. And then when they finally tell somebody or tell other people, |
| 0:57.0 | those people can be surprised. |
| 0:59.0 | But don't assume that somebody's making an impulsive decision. |
| 1:04.0 | I have never met somebody who impulsively decided to get divorced |
| 1:07.0 | just because he left the toilet seat up or she forgot the anniversary. |
| 1:13.4 | Like, that's not why people get divorced. |
| 1:15.6 | So believe them. |
| 1:18.2 | Hope you enjoy a preview of this full episode published exclusively as a bonus for our |
| 1:23.3 | incredible online neuro nerd community. |
| 1:26.2 | This group is the backbone that keeps this podcast thriving, |
| 1:29.5 | and you can find out more at Therapistuncensored.com slash join. |
| 1:38.3 | Hey, you guys, while we know relationships are wonderful, they are also really hard. Many of us believe that they |
| 1:45.8 | shouldn't be, that if we have good connection and good communication, things will just go smoothly. |
... |
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