PEORIA MAGAZINE November 2022

Morton businesswoman Katie VandenBerg is also a certified divorce coach

they can have clarity as they're going through it and hopefully not spend a fortune, too.” Beyond the organizational aspects, divorce coaching can save money – on attorney fees, for example. Attorneys generally work well with coaches, who can help clients with non-legal information and what to ask of their lawyers. Precise, structured communication makes it easier for an attorney to get accurate information from the client, which in turn means fewer billable hours. One of VandenBerg’s main goals is helping her clients feel empowered in making their own decisions. “When people go through divorce, everyone wants to tell themwhat they should do,” VandenBerg said. “Those intentions are good, but not always the right direction for the person. Just because something worked for me and my divorce doesn't mean it would work for you in your divorce, or my other friend in her divorce, or my brother in his divorce. Coaching is helping somebody get through the divorce the way they want to and not interjecting my opinion of what they

should be doing.” Overall, people who hire her are less interested in paperwork and money than in feeling better about this life event, said VandenBerg. “Overwhelmingly, people say they want peace,” she said. “Whether they're men, they're women, they're parents, they're younger with no kids or older … that's their number one thing. “ With so much on her plate, how does VandenBerg maintain her own peace? She says it’s all about spending time with her family and continuing to follow her curiosity. ‘OVERWHELMINGLY, PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT PEACE… THAT'S THEIR NUMBER ONE THING’ To learn more about MUSE, visit https://www.musemorton.com/. To learn more about Focused Forward Divorce Coaching, visit http://www. katievandenberg.com Laurie Pillman is an author and freelance writer/editor, based in Peoria

planners? Divorce has so many more potential negative impacts on your future than a wedding day ever will.” VandenBerg followed her curiosity once more and learned about divorce coaching. Neither attorneynor therapist, divorce coaches offer unemotional guidance. This could be information on how to select an attorney—VandenBerg suggests interviewing at least two — create a checklist of next steps, or find financial information. Having helped several friends through divorces, VandenBerg knew she could assist others, but she also felt it was important to approach potential clients with the proper amount of training and understanding. She enrolled in a program to become a certified divorce coach and studied the different resources people need during a split. “It's been amazing. I love it,” Vanden Berg said. “It feels so good because I know what to do and I can help them through this. It's not going to be an easy process, but I'm going to make an icky process go smoothly for them so

NOVEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 87