Community Highlights: Meet Erin Schaden of Erin Schaden Coaching & Mediation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Schaden.

Hi Erin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I am the CEO and Founder of ErinSchaden.com and am a seasoned family law professional with over 28 years of experience in the legal field. As a licensed attorney in Maryland, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia, my career has been marked by my diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to helping clients navigate the complex and often emotionally charged landscape of family law. 

From my early days as a family law litigator in Washington, DC, to my tenure as the Executive Director of a high-end boutique family law firm in Montecito, California, I have always been dedicated to providing clients with the support and guidance they need to move forward in their lives. 

In April 2022, I made the bold decision to leave the law firm world and launch my own coaching and mediation practice, focusing on helping families navigate the challenges of divorce and custody disputes. I also coach in the areas of sobriety, life, and parenting for children in residential treatment. 

With my deep understanding of the legal system and passionate commitment to helping others, I believe I am well-suited to assist anyone looking to navigate the difficult terrain of family law. When I am not working, you can find me hiking, doing yoga, SUP, enjoying a fine sunset, writing, or soaking up the sun at the beach, living a life that demonstrates that life after divorce can be the best life you’ve ever had. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I went through my own divorce, I was starting a law firm in California, living in Florida, and returning to the workforce on a more than full-time basis while navigating the complexities of my own domestic challenges. I had a kid with special needs and was a single mother working about 60 hours a week. I didn’t really know if I was coming or going most days. It was a hard time. I struggled a lot, questioned my decision to leave my marriage, and found solace in the comfort of nature. Allowing myself to be in the middle with no immediate resolution paid off…eventually. The hard work I put in on my career, my kids, and myself grew me into the person I am today. And to be honest, I think that person is the best version of myself I have ever been. I believe hardship is the pathway to peace, and I believe that because it has been true for me. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I assist in all aspects of divorce, custody, and separation. From pre-divorce planning to selecting the right attorney all the way through until you are done. No matter where you are in the process: thinking about it, worrying about it, planning for it, doing it, or recovering from it, our work together will help you navigate the turbulent times and come through to the new life that awaits you. I also am a mediator and can assist in resolving your domestic issues through a collaborative process that allows you to maintain control over the process and outcome. 

Divorce coaching is an essential part of the dissolution process, taking a devastating event and turning it into launching pad for a new life. Divorce coaches have experience in the legal and emotional aspects of divorce and can assist in finding a path forward that aligns legal objectives with emotional realities. Coaching isn’t therapy. Therapy is figuring out how you got here. Coaching is a dynamic, collaborative process to help you move on. 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Nature. Animals. My family. My most favorite thing to do is to walk my dog on the beach with my kids. I love being outside; it makes me feel grounded and connected to something larger than myself. Nature reminds me that I am only a small fraction of a much larger whole. Animals are a place for me to give and receive unconditional love. My tenderness for them makes me feel good about who I am and how I navigate my world. My family makes me laugh and challenges me to never stop growing. To keep working on myself and using the raw materials they gave me to grow into the best version of myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erinschaden.com
• Instagram: @erineschaden
• Facebook: Erin E Schaden Divorce Coaching & Mediation
• Linkedin: Erin Schaden