Divorce is not a magic bullet: separation advice from a marital therapist, Andrew G. Marshall

In this episode, Kate is joined by Andrew G Marshall, a therapist and writer, to discuss the most common mistakes to avoid when separating.

Released: 25 June 2025
Updated: 8 January 2026
37 MIN
#144
Emotional journey

In this episode, Kate is joined by Andrew G Marshall, a therapist and writer, to discuss the most common mistakes to avoid when separating.

** About the episode: **

Kate and Andrew begin the episode by looking at Andrew’s motivations for becoming a therapist, following his personal experience of family members’ divorce as a child. Andrew explains the importance of communication both during a relationship and after it ends. They role-play a typical scenario separating couples find themselves in, and how to de-escalate emotionally-charged conversations. Andrew gives some great tips on creating distance so you can choose to respond and not react. Kate and he explore common mistakes people make when separating, including rushing the ending, seeing divorce as the magic bullet and ‘switching off’ or emotionally ‘checking out’ pre-separation. They end by talking about Andrew’s upcoming retreat and who it can help. This is a fantastic episode, whether you’re in the midst of a separation or want to improve the health of your relationship by learning new communication skills.

About our guest:

Andrew G Marshall is a marital therapist with 40 years of experience helping couples make better relationships (or if they separate, to be good co-parents). He originally trained with RELATE, the UK's largest counselling charity, but now leads a team of therapists in private practice. He is the author of twenty-plus books which have been translated into over twenty languages - including the international bestseller 'I love you but I'm not in love with you'. He is the host of the award-nominated podcast 'The Meaningful Life with Andrew G Marshall' and this autumn will lead a retreat near Berlin for men seeking to 'Reconnect with Yourself'. 

More resources:

You can learn more about Andrew G Marshall on his website. There, you can register to attend his upcoming retreat for men, listen to his award-nominated podcast and even access his video course to learn about Andrew’s best relationship tools. 

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at hello@amicable.co.uk . They might just be the topic of a future episode!

Latest Episodes

Episode #201: You’re doing better than you think: helping children thrive through divorce
Coparenting
1 July 2026
45 MIN

You’re doing better than you think: helping children thrive through divorce

Supporting your children through separation goes so much further than one difficult conversation - but knowing how to keep showing up for them is something many parents struggle with.

#201
Episode #200: Best of: 200 episodes of The Divorce Podcast
Separation stories
24 June 2026
20 MIN

Best of: 200 episodes of The Divorce Podcast

200 episodes of honest, hopeful conversations about divorce – here are the moments that stayed with us.

#200
Episode #199: Divorcing dads: why separation hits men hard - and how to help
Emotional journey
17 June 2026
43 MIN

Divorcing dads: why separation hits men hard - and how to help

Divorce can hit men hard – and many dads withdraw just when they need people most. For divorcing dads, that isolation isn't only painful – it can be dangerous.

#199

Listen to The Divorce Podcast on your favourite platform