Divorce & Relationship Resources

Free tools to help you navigate high-conflict relationships, divorce decisions, and difficult communication with clarity

When you’re dealing with relationship uncertainty, high-conflict dynamics, or the possibility of divorce, it can be difficult to know where to begin. These resources are designed to give you practical clarity without information overload.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Most people come here looking for help with one of three things. They're trying to

Understand what’s happening in their relationship

If that’s you, start with The Survivor’s Playbook.

Communicate with a high-conflict partner or ex

If that’s you, start with Drop the Rope.

Understand where they are in the divorce process

If that’s you, start with The Divorce Roadmap.

You can explore these resources in any order — whatever feels most helpful right now.

Free Guides & Tools

The Survivor’s Playbook

Recognize manipulation and emotional abuse

Ten common tactics used in narcissistic and coercively controlling relationships — and how to respond with clarity and self-trust.

Drop the Rope

What to say when you refuse to be pulled into chaos

Short phrases that help you disengage from manipulation, circular arguments, and power struggles with high-conflict people.

The Divorce Roadmap

Understand where you are in the divorce process

A visual guide to the three stages most people move through during divorce: Awareness, Action, and Moving On.

Healthy Relationship Assessment

Assess emotional safety, communication, and boundaries

A short reflection tool to help you evaluate whether a relationship is grounded in mutual respect and emotional safety.

Communication Tips

Practical strategies for difficult conversations

Learn how to communicate calmly and clearly when the other person is defensive, reactive, or unwilling to engage constructively.

7-Step Mindset Reset

Regain clarity when emotions are overwhelming

Audio training and worksheets designed to help interrupt fear-based thinking and reconnect with grounded decision-making.

Need More Support?

These resources are designed to help you think clearly and move forward at your own pace.

But sometimes tools and articles aren’t enough — especially when you’re navigating high-conflict dynamics or major life decisions. If you’re looking for deeper support, there are a few ways to continue the work.

Phoenix Rising

An ongoing coaching community where I guide women through the real challenges of divorce in real time.

Focused Strategy Sessions

Private one-on-one coaching if you need focused guidance for a specific situation.

“Kate is like a wise friend who’s been through the process—not just once, but with thousands of women.”

- J. T.

Tools & Services I Recommend

These are trusted tools and organizations many women navigating divorce or co-parenting challenges find helpful.

(Some links may be affiliate links.)

Our Family Wizard

A co-parenting communication platform often required by family courts. Features include shared calendars, expense tracking, court-ready records, and ToneMeter™ communication tools.

Custody
X Change

Software designed to help parents create custody schedules and parenting plans, with software that adapts to your needs.

Soberlink Alcohol Monitoring System

A breathalyzer system used to document sobriety during parenting time. Use code DSG for $50 off.

Mighty + Bright Co-Parenting Calendar

A visual custody calendar designed to help children understand their schedule between homes.

Après

Après helps professionals return to the workforce after caregiving breaks through career coaching, resume support, and job placement.

Aimee Says

A private, AI-powered companion designed to reduce the mental and emotional load of navigating abusive or high-conflict relationships. Used for reflection, documentation, and clarity over time.

Experts & Research I Trust and Recommend

The people below are voices I trust and often recommend to clients and listeners who want to go deeper.

There are many voices online talking about abuse, coercive control, and divorce. Over the years, through my work with clients, podcast conversations, and professional collaborations, I’ve come to rely on the work of a handful of researchers, educators, and advocates whose insights consistently help women understand what they’re facing.

Dr. Emma Katz

Dr. Emma Katz

Dr. Emma Katz is a globally recognized researcher studying coercive control and its impact on women and children.

Her writing explores how abusive partners maintain control after separation, how family court systems sometimes fail protective parents, and how mothers and children demonstrate resilience in the face of coercive control.

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola is a Doctor of Clinical Social Work and one of the leading educators on coercive control and post-separation abuse.

Her work focuses on helping professionals and protective parents understand how coercive control impacts children, how abusive dynamics show up in custody disputes, and how systems can better protect families.

Christina McGhee

Christina McGhee
Co-Parenting Specialist

Christina McGhee is a divorce parenting expert and the author of Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids.

Her work focuses on helping parents reduce conflict, support children through divorce, and create healthier co-parenting dynamics whenever possible.

She offers practical guidance for navigating parenting decisions, supporting children emotionally, and building stability during family transitions.

Sarah McDugal

Sarah McDugal’s High-Conflict Court Case Risk Index

This assessment helps protective parents understand the risks involved in high-conflict custody litigation and prepare strategically for court.

Want Help Applying What You’re Learning?

Many women use these resources while they’re trying to understand what’s happening in their relationship or during the early stages of divorce.

But at some point, tools and articles can only take you so far.

If you want guidance while you’re actually navigating the decisions, conversations, and legal realities of divorce, that’s exactly what Phoenix Rising is for.

Phoenix Rising is my ongoing coaching community where women bring the real situations they’re facing — difficult emails from an ex, confusing legal advice, parenting dilemmas, moments of doubt — and we work through them together.

Instead of reacting in the moment, you learn how to slow down, think strategically, and make decisions you can stand behind.