Therapeutic Separation: A Workbook for Couples Facing Addiction

A therapeutic separation is an intentional process therapeutically crafted to help bring about safety, stability, and individual and relational insight. When done purposefully, it can offer guidance and direction to both the individual and the couple. This deliberate and structured period should be temporary. As the couple is in an intentional period of separation, each partner works on goals to learn about themselves and how they show up in the relationship. They then work with their support system, such as a therapist and/or sponsor, to implement changes to address these specific concerns. 

The purpose of a therapeutic separation is to create space for reflection and growth, thus leading to the development of a healthier relationship whether the couple decides to reintegrate or discontinue. Reintegration may not always be the outcome though, as doing the work individually and as a couple can manifest results leading to more needed space or termination of the relationship.

Taking a therapeutic separation in your relationship shouldn’t feel like you are plunging into the unknown. With proper assistance and support, a therapeutic separation may provide safety, clarity, and healing. That said, choosing this delicate path requires care and guidance. This workbook will walk you through the process of a healthy and productive therapeutic separation from beginning to end. The instruction and exercises in this workbook will help you create a robust therapeutic separation and evaluate what you need moving forward.

In this workbook you will:

• Evaluate if a separation is right for you
• Create a therapeutic separation plan based on your relationship, needs, and boundaries
• Learn how to disclose the separation to your children, family, and friends
• Understand how your history is connected to your present
• Complete individual and relationship goals based on your plan
• Assess what you need as you move forward after a therapeutic separation