At Fresh Starts, we’re proud to spotlight the incredible professionals who guide people through one of life’s most challenging transitions: divorce. Today, we’re featuring Donna C, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, Wealth Strategist & Founder of Money Matters Wealth Solutions and Navigating Divorce, whose work helps clients find clarity, strength, and a true fresh start.

At Fresh Starts, we’re proud to spotlight the incredible professionals who guide people through one of life’s most challenging transitions: divorce. Today, we’re featuring Oona Metz, a Therapist, whose work helps clients find clarity, strength, and a true fresh start.

Oona, can you tell us a little about yourself, what you do and what led you to this line of work?

Hi! My name is Oona Metz. I’m a therapist who specializes in working with women navigating divorce and I’m the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women. I began my career 30 years ago, providing individual therapy for women and leading support groups for adolescents and adults. When I went through my own divorce, I realized how few support services there are for people who are navigating one of life’s most challenging transitions. A seed was planted and a couple of years later, I started a weekly divorce support group for women. The group filled quickly and the members of the group made powerful and poignant connections with each other. They began the group feeling lost and devastated but over time, grew into happier, more empowered versions of themselves. I loved leading that group so I started two more and they filled quickly as well. All three of those groups are still going today, nearly 15 years later.

What inspired you to work with people going through divorce or big life transitions?

When I went through my own divorce, I wanted to talk to others who had been through it, too. I wanted to know that I would be OK, and that my daughter would be OK as well. When I started running the divorce support groups, I was inspired by the connections that the members made with each other. Often times they came from very different backgrounds and all of their stories were unique, but what connected them was how they felt. There are so many moments of "I feel that exact same way" that happen in the group that make the members feel less alone.

What is your specialty within the divorce space, and how do you typically support your clients?

I see clients individually in person in my office outside of Boston and I lead three weekly divorce support groups. My groups are confidential safe spaces for women to give and receive support regarding the emotional journey of divorce. I also train other therapists in my group model through the Beacon Group Fellowship, a program I founded in order to encourage more therapists to lead groups.

What makes your approach to working with clients unique?

I think one of the things that makes my approach unique is that I have thirty years of experience providing therapy. I also completed a five year long Certificate Program in Group Therapy. Part of the reason I am able to provide a safe space for people to open up and share their greatest fears and sorrows as well as their dreams and successes is due to my years of experience. In addition, I truly believe each person is doing the very best they can and that every unique road to marriage and divorce should be respected.

What’s one thing that people are often surprised to learn about you?

When people I don't know hear that I have written a book they are often surprised that I had not published a single article before I began writing Unhitched. I have learned a tremendous amount about writing, publishing and promoting books through this process. Many women who are navigating divorce (or any other stressor) find it difficult to read so one of the challenges I faced was writing the book in a way that was accessible. I hope I accomplished that by giving readers shorter sections of text interspersed with realistic vignettes and reflective exercises. Readers of Unhitched can start at the beginning and read all the way through or start with the chapter that resonates with them the most in the moment.

Do you have a personal story or experience that helps you connect with clients on a deeper level?

I come from a long line of divorced family members. I know what it is like to be the child of divorce, to spend a childhood moving from one home to another. And, I know what it is like to get divorced, to support a child whose parents are divorcing. All of these experiences have helped me be more attuned and empathic with my clients.

What’s your favorite way to reset after a long day?

I take two yoga classes every week to keep me balanced. I work out with weights on the other days to keep my body strong. I love walking outside, especially in the woods. My partner is the cook in our family and I am the vegetable chopper and dish washer. I actually love washing dishes by hand. I love submerging my hands in the warm, soapy water and it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I see the empty sink.

If you could describe your work in three words, what would they be?

Trustworthy, connected, companion.

What does “fresh start” mean to you personally?

I love being part of the Fresh Starts community. Olivia and Jenny have created a group that values learning, growth, empathy, and respect. We can think of divorce as being the end--and it is the end of a marriage--but it is also a fresh start to a new family structure, a new identity and a new opportunity to thrive.

Thank you Oona for sharing your wisdom and experience with the Fresh Starts community! You can learn more about their work by checking out Oona’s profile below!

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