For Fort Lauderdale & BrowardDIVORCE RECOVERY THERAPY IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
The divorce is moving forward. Nobody asked how you are holding up.
You sat in traffic on I-95 for forty minutes and didn't turn the radio on once. That drive used to be the only quiet part of your day. Now it's the only place you can think about the fact that you're getting divorced, and the exit comes up before you've decided anything.
I'm Sayra Besner, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker (Florida #23215). I work with women, men and teenagers 14 and up across Fort Lauderdale and Broward County who are going through a divorce or rebuilding after one. Sessions are virtual, which means the hour you'd spend driving to an office goes back to you.
Why people in Fort Lauderdale start divorce therapy
People rarely call on the worst day. They call on an ordinary Tuesday, when they realize they've been holding it together for months and nobody around them has noticed. Some common reasons:
You're co-parenting across two Broward zip codes and every handoff turns into an argument.
Your friends were "couple friends," and now you're not sure who's still yours.
You're the one who left, and you feel guilty for how relieved you are.
You didn't see it coming, and you keep replaying the last year looking for clues.
The divorce is final, and you expected to feel better by now.
How the work goes
We start with what's loudest: sleep, anger, the next court date, what to tell the kids. Then we move to the slower work. Who you are outside the marriage. What you value when nobody else is watching. Which boundaries keep you steady with a co-parent who knows exactly which buttons to press. And eventually, what you want next, including dating, when and if you want it.
You won't be handed a worksheet and sent home. Every plan is built around your life, your kids and your timeline.
Divorce in Broward County
Fort Lauderdale divorces go through the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, which covers Broward County. Florida is a no-fault state, and one spouse must have lived in Florida for at least six months before filing.
Parents of children under 18 have to complete a parenting course before the divorce is final. Since July 2023, Florida courts start from a presumption of equal time-sharing when a judge sets the schedule, and permanent alimony is no longer available for new cases. For many families that means two homes, a shared calendar, and a lot more contact with an ex than anyone planned for. That's where most of the emotional work lands.
I'm a therapist, not a lawyer. Take legal questions to your family law attorney or mediator.
Virtual sessions from anywhere in Broward
Sessions happen over secure video, from home, the office, or a parked car. Clients join from Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Plantation, Weston and the beaches without fighting traffic on 595.
Sessions run 60, 45 or 30 minutes ($250, $200 or $175), and packages of 5 or 10 lock in a weekly time slot. The practice is private-pay; I provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. See Rates & FAQ for the full breakdown. Every client starts with a free 15-minute consult.
Who I work with
Co-parenting with a high-conflict ex, a guide on the blog
Not ready to talk to someone yet?
The Sayra C Method is a self-guided program that follows the same order I use in session, so you can start on your own.
Fort Lauderdale divorce therapy: what people ask
Will you ever see clients in person in Broward? Sessions are virtual for now. A Boca Raton office is opening soon, which is a short drive north for many Broward clients.
My divorce is high-conflict. Can therapy help if my ex won't change? Yes. The work is on your side: how you respond, what you put in writing, and how you protect your kids from the fallout. You don't need your ex's cooperation to feel steadier.
Do you work with dads? Yes. Many men going through divorce have never had a place to say any of this out loud. That's a large part of what I do.
Can you write a letter or testify for my custody case? Yes. I can write letters, and I can testify for an additional fee. Bring it up during the consult so we can talk through what your case needs and what's appropriate.
How do I know if I need a therapist or just better friends? Friends are essential. A therapist is the person who doesn't have a side, doesn't get tired of the topic, and knows what usually happens next.
What if I'm in crisis? If you're in crisis, call or text 988 any time.
Book a free 15-minute consult
If you're in Fort Lauderdale and something about this sounds familiar, start with fifteen minutes. No pressure to commit, just a conversation about whether this is the right fit.