Los Angeles Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Coaching
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Domestic Violence
      • Eating Disorders
      • Grief and Loss
      • Group Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Porn Addiction
      • Professional Development
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Trauma
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    •  1Agoura Hills
    • Los Angeles
    • Santa MonicaSanta Monica
    • Thousand Oaks
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (949) 386-7179Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating After Divorce

Los Angeles Christian Counseling
https://lachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/the-dos-and-donts-of-dating-after-divorce-2.jpg 1920 1280
https://lachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/devin-avery-542010-unsplash.jpg
5183 Overland Avenue Unit C
CULVER CITY, CA 90230
United States
5183 Overland Avenue Unit C
CULVER CITY, CA 90230
United States
Photo of Armen Emurian

Armen Emurian

Sep
2025
05

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating After Divorce

Armen Emurian

Individual CounselingRelationship Issues

Are you considering dating after divorce? This can be a fun, exciting, nerve-wracking, challenging, hopeful, and confusing time – an emotional rollercoaster. It can be difficult to start dating again after your heart has been broken or you have been married for a long time. A Christian counselor can give you guidance on when it might be best for you to consider dating again. We also have some dos and don’ts for you to consider as you prepare for dating after divorce.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating After Divorce

Do pray

Dating after divorce is not something to take lightly. You may still be dealing with various stages of grief, including denial, bargaining, anger, sadness, and acceptance over the loss of your marriage. You know that you don’t want to make the same mistakes again, but you may not be sure if now is the right time to date.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

However, God knows what is best for you, and he promises to draw near to you if you draw near to Him in prayer. Before you ever start dating or even fill out a dating profile, commit this important matter to prayer. Lay out the desires of your heart before God (Psalm 37:4), then pray the same prayer Jesus prayed: “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you…Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36, NIV)

Don’t rush

It’s tempting to use a new relationship to ease the hurt and loneliness that you feel after a divorce. But rushing into a new connection before learning if you can trust that person isn’t a good idea. You could get hurt again or hurt someone else with your words or actions. Trust that God’s timing is perfect.

He knows when you will be ready to date. That might take longer than you want, but the work you do to repair your heart and mind after divorce will help you make better choices in the future. You can meet with a Christian counselor to do the necessary healing work before you start dating again.

Do make a clean break

Before you start dating, you need to make a clean break from your former spouse. This means not dating until all the paperwork is filed and complete in your divorce proceedings. It also means doing the demanding work of breaking the soul ties that you have with your ex-spouse, no matter how long you were married to each other.

You shared a life, and whether it was wonderful or terrible, you must grieve what you lost before you can move forward with someone else. If your feelings about your divorce are still messy and painful, you need to take more time to heal and grieve before you’re ready to date. A Christian counselor can walk alongside you in your healing journey.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating After DivorceDon’t cave to pressure

You may be facing pressure from friends, family members, people in the community, or even yourself to date again, but don’t cave to the pressure. Only God knows what is truly best for you.

Trust that God has good plans regarding your dating life and commit your ways to him, not leaning on your own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). Don’t worry about pleasing anyone else with your choice to date or not date. It’s fine to stay single while you weigh all your options and fully heal from your hurts.

Do depend on same-sex friendships

It’s a certainty that you are dealing with loneliness after divorce. But dating someone might not be the best solution at first. You should depend on friendships with people of the same sex to fill the voids you feel in your loneliness.

Make a list of several same-sex friends whom you can text or call when you are feeling lonely. At least one of them will likely be available to meet with you for an enjoyable time. The time you spend investing in same-sex friendships after divorce will help your heart heal so that you will be better prepared to date when the time comes.

Don’t repeat past mistakes

It’s good to examine what mistakes you made in your past dating relationships and your marriage, so you don’t bring those same problems into future dating relationships. Take a hard, honest look at yourself and jot down things you could have done better in the past.

Then commit these matters to prayer and ask God to help you heal and change. You can also take this list to your counselor’s office and discuss it there to gain even greater insight and practical encouragement.

Don’t limit your choices

You may be highly driven to choose someone completely different from your ex-spouse if you were hurt badly in your divorce. But you may make an extreme choice that isn’t best for you. In the book, How to Get a Date Worth Keeping, Dr. Henry Cloud suggests that you go on at least one date with many types of people, if they are reasonable human beings.

You may not know what you want in another person until you spend time talking to them. Don’t limit your choices so far down that you close the door to good opportunities for connection and keep an open mind.

Do consider your children

If you have children, their needs must be considered before you start dating after divorce. Your choice depends a great deal on their age and maturity level, as well as how far along they are in their own grief journey after the divorce.

If your children react badly when you mention the idea of dating someone else, it may be wise to meet with a Christian counselor to gain perspective on your unique situation. The counselor can advise you on how to balance your role as a parent with your desire to date, as well as offer practical tips for how to manage all the ins and outs of dating when children are involved.

Christian Counseling for Relationship Issues

Dating after divorce is a complicated issue for most people. It can be full of highs and lows that can be difficult to navigate while you are still recovering from a divorce. It can also be challenging to know when you are ready to date and what to expect from a new relationship.

Many people benefit from speaking with a Christian counselor before they begin dating after divorce. The benefits of seeing a counselor include an objective, third-party perspective; biblical insights; practical tips based on what has worked for other clients; guidelines to keep you from falling into common traps; and healing for unprocessed wounds related to your divorce.

Since there are many nuances to dating after divorce that are specific to your situation, it’s wise to spend several sessions with a counselor. Reach out to us today to set up your first appointment, and we’ll be happy to meet with you.

Photos:
“Piggy-Back”, Courtesy of Becca Tapert, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Armen Emurian
Schedule with Armen
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Armen Emurian

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-85351
(949) 386-7179 connect@cachristiancounseling.com

With over 14 years of counseling experience, my goals are to help you get unstuck, find relief from your current struggles, and experience freedom in Christ for the challenges you face. Through our time together, my hope is for you to gain insight and wisdom from God’s Word as well as proven therapeutic techniques to become better equipped to deal with your relationships and other life issues. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues including infidelity, grief and loss, or other concerns, I would be honored to walk with you toward healing and hope. Read more articles by Armen »

Other articles that might interest you...

Premarital Counseling: Is it Worth it? 1
Los Angeles Christian Counseling

Premarital Counseling: Is it Worth it?

One of the last things a couple probably wants to be doing in the weeks and months leading up to...

continue reading »
The Benefits of Premarital Counseling
Photo of Geoffrey Sherrell

Geoffrey Sherrell

The Benefits of Premarital Counseling

Premarital counseling is a model of therapy that helps couples prepare for marriage by proactively introducing and or addressing goals,...

continue reading »
Do We Need Christian Couples Counseling?
Photo of Geoffrey Sherrell

Geoffrey Sherrell

Do We Need Christian Couples Counseling?

Christian couples counseling can reinforce the strong foundation in your relationship and marriage. Statistically speaking, when you seek counseling before...

continue reading »

About Armen

Photo of Armen Emurian

Armen Emurian, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-85351

With over 14 years of counseling experience, my goals are to help you get unstuck, find relief from your current struggles, and experience freedom in Christ for the challenges you face. Through our time together, my hope is for you to gain insight and wisdom from God’s Word as well as proven therapeutic techniques to become better equipped to deal with your relationships and other life issues. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues including infidelity, grief and loss, or other concerns, I would be honored to walk with you toward healing and hope. View Armen's Profile

Recent articles by Armen

  • Sep 5 · The Do’s and Don’ts of Dating After Divorce
See all articles by Armen »

Related Services

  • Individual Counseling
  • Relationship Issues

Armen's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Los Angeles office

    Los Angeles

    California

    General Office Number

    (949) 386-7182
    13101 Washington Boulevard, Suite 215 Los Angeles, CA 90066

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Online Counseling office

    Online Counseling

    General Office Number

    (424) 438-2888
    ,  

    View Office Details
Los Angeles Christian Counseling Logo
Los Angeles Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
Welcome to Los Angeles Christian Counseling. If you’re looking for reliable Christian therapy in LA or the surrounding areas, we welcome you to contact us to schedule an appointment. Our offices are conveniently located near Venice Boulevard, Lincoln Blvd, the 405, and 90, not far from Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Airport. We serve the communities of Culver West, Culver Garden, Oakwood, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Alla, and Venice.
© 2025 Culver City Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
5183 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230. Tel (949) 386-7179.
Facebook Sitemap Online Counseling Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
We are open for business. In person and online counseling are available now.