ShareHealing Happens in Community: Why Group Support Actually Works
There’s something a lot of people don’t realize until they’re in the middle of a divorce or trying to co-parent with someone difficult: it’s weirdly lonely.
Even if you’ve got friends or family around, it’s hard to talk about what’s really going on. People either don’t get it, try to fix it, or maybe even just change the subject altogether because they feel helpless and it’s really awkward. You end up venting in your head, holding it all in, or repeating the same conversations with the same two people until you’re just… tired.
Eventually, it starts to feel like you’re the only one who’s struggling this much while everyone around you seems to move on. At some point you may wonder if maybe you’re the problem because you can’t move past it, and it’s still all you can think about. Maybe you question if you’re too sensitive or not doing enough.
This is all part of the process. And you’re definitely not the only one. I promise.
Group support makes a difference. A big one. Not the comment-section kind where everyone’s venting into the void and you’re wondering why people are wasting their time promoting and engaging in so much negativity. I’m talking about a grounded, intentional space with people who are doing the work, just like you. A space that’s guided, thoughtfully held, and filled with others who are navigating the same messy in-between.
So, what makes healing in community actually work- beyond just “not feeling alone”?
1. You can show up as you are.
When you’re in a well-held group, you don’t have to waste all your time giving background or justifying how you feel. People already get the complexities and layers. They understand how infuriating it is to be blamed for setting boundaries. They know what it’s like to get an aggressive message and still be expected to “stay calm” and take the high road.
You get to drop the filter. You don’t have to soften your words or wrap your story in disclaimer or worry that you came off as less than full of gratitude for the learning opportunity before you. (Eye roll) That kind of space is rare, because it needs to be created with time and intention.
2. Your nervous system gets something it rarely has: regulation through connection.
We talk a lot about regulating ourselves, and sure, breathwork and journaling are great. But the fastest way to calm your nervous system is to be around someone who’s regulated and present with you.
In a good group, that happens naturally. When you share something raw and the people listening don’t flinch, your body starts to believe it’s safe. And when you hear someone else say something you’ve been secretly thinking, your shoulders drop a little. That goes beyond just emotional relief, it’s literal, physical safety being restored.
3. You get out of your own head.
Being stuck in your own internal monologue for weeks (ok, months) on end can make you lose perspective fast. Maybe you start believing your co-parent is right about you. You question whether you’re actually too sensitive, or if you’re holding a grudge you just need to let go of and move on from. You start to gaslight yourself.
Hearing how other people describe their dynamics, set boundaries, or move through similar issues gives you options. You start to see patterns- theirs, and your own. And maybe for the first time, you realize you’re not overreacting. You’re under-supported.
4. You stop feeling like a project that needs fixing.
Something surprising happens when you’re in a group that doesn’t try to fix you: you start to trust yourself again.
Instead of always being the one holding space for others or trying to explain the latest emotional rollercoaster to a therapist who hasn’t lived it, you’re in a room full of people who actually get the stakes. You’re allowed to have bad days. You’re allowed to still be figuring it out.
And you can show up messy without it being “too much.”
That, in and of itself, is a huge part of the healing.
5. It’s easier to make changes when you’re not doing it alone.
Trying to change your mindset or create new boundaries in isolation is hard. You might understand the concept, but when the next round of conflict hits, your nervous system goes right back to survival mode. You tend to go back to what’s comfortable, even if it’s not what’s best.
But when you’re part of a group, you don’t just learn new tools, you practice them. You get to say, “Okay, I tried that boundary thing and it totally backfired, now what?” And you get real feedback from people who know the terrain.
That’s where traction starts to happen. That’s how you build real momentum. Not because you finally read the perfect book, but because you’re being held accountable, supported, and reminded of your capacity every single week.
We’re not meant to do this alone.
Co-parenting and rebuilding after divorce is hard enough. Trying to do it while feeling isolated, second-guessing yourself, and carrying the emotional weight of everyone else? That’s too much for one person. Intentionally seeking the right kind of support during an isolating chapter of life is always a wise investment. You will never regret showing up for yourself.
You don’t need to hide your mistakes. You don’t need to earn your place. You don’t need to show up polished and pretty. You just need a space that reminds you of what you already know deep down: You’re not broken, and you don’t have to keep pushing through this solo. You can be a part of something bigger.
One of the most underrated ways to support your own healing is helping someone else through their difficult time. When you hold space for others, something shifts in you too. You are reminded you’re not the only one carrying grief, anger, fear, or uncertainty. Offering support doesn’t just benefit the person receiving it. It reminds you of your own strength. It gives you perspective, purpose, and connection—all things we lose when we’re stuck in survival mode. Helping others isn’t a detour from your healing. It’s a significant and meaningful part of the path.
Bridge & Balance: A Co-Parenting Membership
Divorce changes everything. Even when you’re doing your best, it can feel like you’re carrying the emotional weight of two parents. The pressure to keep it all “normal” for your kids, while managing conflict within co-parenting and carving out a new path for yourself, is a lot.
This isn’t about being a perfect parent. It’s about being a supported one.
✨ You deserve that. Your kids do too. ✨
Inside the Sproutable Co-Parenting Membership you’ll find:
🌱 Expert guidance rooted in Positive Discipline
🌱 Real tools for smoother communication with your co-parent
🌱 Live coaching and community so you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself
🌱 Support for your kids’ emotional health—and your own
If this speaks to you, JOIN the waitlist today, and take the next step toward a calmer, more connected co-parenting journey:
Join the Co-Parenting Membership waitlist
Not interested in the co-parenting membership? See our memberships for parents of teens and early years here.
Nika Chadwick is a certified High-Conflict Divorce Coach with specialized training in co-parenting support, and stepfamily dynamics. As a trauma-informed coach, she understands the complexities of high-conflict relationships and works to help parents protect their peace while fostering their children’s emotional well-being. Drawing on her certifications, personal experience, and a toolkit of practical, proven strategies, Nika empowers clients to break free from destructive conflict cycles, set healthy boundaries, and create a stable, supportive environment for their families. Her approach is grounded in empathy, evidence-based methods, and a deep commitment to helping families thrive despite challenges.
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