Sea Change Therapy & Coaching

12/03/2026

I first trained as a Master Life & Executive Coach many years ago when I had my first coaching business, but when I set up my new company, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching in 2024, I decided to specialise in Breakup & Divorce Coaching for leaders, professionals, and business owners.

I invested in specialist training to be the best I could possibly be, in order to help those who are going through a very difficult time in their life.

Now, in 2026, most of my referrals come from family law firms, EAPs, Financial Planners, and HR teams.

I combine coaching with interventions for emotional regulation that enable my clients to reduce overwhelm quickly, so that they can think clearly, and make sound decisions when it matters most.

If you know someone in your network who would like to know more about my work, please put us in touch, or they can find me on LinkedIn.

Donna Garratty
Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching
01543 398928

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-garratty-12504116a?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android

10/03/2026

Why emotional strain often shows up at work first.

When someone is going through a breakup or serious relationship problems, people often assume the biggest impact will be felt at home.

But many professionals notice the effects at work first.

Work requires concentration, clear thinking, patience and good judgement.

When someone is under emotional strain, these are often the first things affected.

They may find it harder to focus.
Decisions take longer.
Problems that normally feel manageable suddenly feel more difficult.

People who are used to performing at a high level often notice these changes quickly and may feel frustrated with themselves.

But this isn’t a capability issue.

It’s what happens when someone is dealing with a major personal situation while still trying to function professionally.

In situations like this, it can help to talk things through with someone who understands the emotional and practical realities of breakup and divorce.

Sometimes the right support can make it much easier to think clearly and move forward.

Donna ❤️

10/03/2026

Why so many high-functioning people stay in unhappy relationships for too long.

It’s rarely because they’re weak.

In fact, it’s often the opposite.

High-functioning people are very good at coping.

They solve problems.
They manage pressure.
They keep things going when situations are difficult.

Those strengths work well in their careers.

But in relationships, those same strengths can sometimes keep them stuck.

Instead of recognising that something isn’t working, they try harder to manage it.

They adjust.
They compromise.
They carry more emotional responsibility than they should.

From the outside everything still looks stable.

They continue to perform at work, manage the home, and keep life functioning.

But privately they may feel increasingly disconnected or unsure whether the relationship can really change.

Leaving isn’t a simple decision either.

There may be children, finances, shared history and responsibilities.

So people stay longer than they might otherwise.

Sometimes that effort leads to repair.

Other times it leads to clarity.

Either way, the goal isn’t to rush a decision.

It’s to reach a point where the next step is taken honestly and without regret.

Donna ❤️

10/03/2026

When the relationship isn’t terrible - but it isn’t right either.

This is one of the most confusing places to be in a relationship.

There’s no major betrayal.
No dramatic crisis.

From the outside, things may look perfectly acceptable.

But something feels off.

Conversations feel flat.
The connection fades.
You start wondering whether this is really the life you want long term.

Because nothing is “that bad”, people often stay in this space for years.

They tell themselves they should be grateful.
They minimise their concerns.
They hope the feeling will pass.

Sometimes it does.

With honesty and effort from both people, relationships can improve.

But sometimes that quiet discomfort is important information.

Not every relationship ends because of something dramatic.

Sometimes it simply reaches a point where it no longer works for the people within it.

Recognising that can be difficult - but it’s often the first step towards clarity and decision.

Donna Garratty
Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching
Author, One Page at a Time
01543 398928
https://seachangetherapyandcoaching.com/

10/03/2026

Saving a relationship vs saving yourself.

One of the hardest questions people face in relationships is this:

Am I trying to save the relationship… or am I slowly losing myself?

Many people reach a point where they feel torn between the two.

They’ve tried to make things work.
They’ve compromised, adapted, and often taken on a lot of responsibility for keeping the relationship going.

From the outside, everything may look fine.

But internally something doesn’t feel sustainable anymore.

When there is history, shared finances, or children involved, walking away is not a simple decision.

The real question is often not “Should I leave?”

It’s this:

What would need to change for this relationship to be healthy for both of us?

Sometimes those changes are possible.

With honesty and effort, relationships can repair and grow.

Other times, the changes needed aren’t possible - or only one person is willing to make them.

Saving a relationship should never require someone to abandon their own wellbeing.

When people start looking after themselves properly and being honest about what they need, clarity often follows.

Donna Garratty
Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching
Author, One Page at a Time
Tel: 01543 398928
https://seachangetherapyandcoaching.com/

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Great afternoon with one of our coaches, Eleanor, spent chatting to members about Sea Change Therapy & Coaching

Donna ❤️

04/03/2026

Why the hardest period of your life can become a turning point.

When someone is in the middle of a breakup or divorce, it rarely feels like a turning point.

It usually feels like the worst period of their life.

Plans have fallen apart.
The future feels uncertain.
Things you thought were fixed suddenly aren’t.

At that stage most people are simply trying to get through each day and make sensible decisions.

But something often happens over time.

As things begin to settle, people start looking at their lives differently.

They think about where they want to live.
How they want to spend their time.
What kind of work they want to do.
What sort of life they want to create going forward.

For the first time in a long while, they are making those choices for themselves.

When you’re in the middle of the disruption it’s very hard to imagine that.

But many people eventually realise that what first felt like the worst chapter of their life became the point where things began to change.

And from there, they start building something new and wonderful - on their own terms.

Donna ❤️

04/03/2026

Why some professionals damage their legal outcomes by staying emotionally reactive.

Most people understand they need good legal advice during divorce.

What they often underestimate is how much their own reactions can influence the outcome.

When someone is under sustained stress, it’s very easy to respond quickly and emotionally. That can show up in ways that make the legal process harder.

For example:

• replying to messages from an ex immediately while still angry
• sending long emails that escalate the situation
• agreeing to financial arrangements just to end the conversation
• rejecting reasonable proposals because the situation feels unfair
• turning mediation into arguments about the past

Lawyers and mediators see this regularly. A capable person becomes reactive, discussions stall and legal costs increase.

It doesn’t mean someone is incapable. It’s simply what pressure does.

But legal processes rely on clear decisions and measured communication.

If you’re navigating separation and finding the pressure is affecting how you respond, you’re not alone. With the right emotional support, it becomes much easier to slow things down and think clearly again.

Donna ❤️

02/03/2026

What actually happens to decision-making during divorce?

Not emotionally.

Practically.

Under sustained stress, the body produces higher levels of cortisol and adrenaline. That shifts the brain into protection mode.

When that happens:

– Reasoning becomes less efficient
– Attention narrows
– Risk perception can distort
– Patience decreases

In practical terms, this can look like:

– Avoiding decisions
– Rushing decisions just to end conflict
– Reacting to tone rather than substance
– Repeatedly second-guessing yourself

For high-performing professionals, this can feel deeply unsettling.

You’re used to being clear and steady.

If thinking feels harder than usual, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It often means your system is overloaded.

Stability can be rebuilt.

If you’re navigating separation and want structured support to think clearly again, you’re welcome to message me.

Donna

Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching
Author, One Page at a Time

02/03/2026

The three professional risks of going through separation without support.

Most high-performing professionals assume they can manage a breakup or divorce on their own.

After all, they manage businesses and teams every day.

But separation brings a different kind of pressure.

Here are three professional risks I see repeatedly when someone tries to just “get through it” alone.

1️⃣ Impaired judgement under stress
Sustained stress affects thinking. Decisions can become slower, narrower or more reactive.

2️⃣ Performance drift
It’s rarely dramatic. It looks like reduced focus, shorter patience and small errors creeping in.

3️⃣ Emotional spillover
Stress leaks. Tone shifts. Meetings feel tense. Relationships strain.

None of this means someone is incapable.

It means they’re overloaded.

Support during separation isn’t about dependency. It’s about protecting professional stability while navigating a personal upheaval.

If you’re trying to carry everything alone, it may be worth reconsidering.

Donna Garratty
Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching
Author, One Page at a Time

02/03/2026

When to get support during divorce - and when you’ve waited too long.

Most professionals leave it late.

They wait until:

– A legal deadline is close
– Communication has broken down
– Work performance is slipping
– They feel exhausted or reactive

By that point, decisions are already being made under strain.

The earlier signs are quieter.

You might notice:

– You’re avoiding paperwork
– You’re replaying conversations in your head
– You’re second-guessing decisions you’d normally make quickly
– You’re agreeing to things just to reduce conflict

That’s usually the right time to get support.

Not when everything has fallen apart.
When you can still steady things before they escalate.

Waiting too long often leads to:

– Financial decisions made to ease discomfort rather than protect long-term interests
– Escalation in legal costs because communication has deteriorated
– Reduced focus at work

Getting support early isn’t about weakness.

It’s about making sure the decisions you make now are ones you won’t regret later.

If you’re navigating separation and want structured support before things escalate, you’re welcome to message me.

Donna Garratty
Founder, Sea Change Therapy & Coaching Limited
Author, One Page at a Time