We were recently contacted by Carla M. Zilli and Mélanie Svalander who launched a divorce consulting service, or divorce coaching, providing emotional and practical support. We sent them a few questions after two women sent us these following recommendations this January:
"I worked with SPARQ and they provided me with the knowledge and clarity that I needed to navigate a very challenging time in my life. They helped me stay focused, manage (and reduce) conflict and in the end they helped me make decisions that protected my emotional well-being. A very rewarding experience."
"My lawyer recommended SPARQ, and I’m so grateful I chose to work with them. My husband had walked out on me, and my life felt like a complete mess. The confusion and shock were beyond words. SPARQ provided me with a sense of direction, helping me set realistic goals and actionable plans. Divorce can feel overwhelming, but talking to a caring professional helped me move forward. I highly recommend Sparq Divorce Consultants. Their wealth of life experience, coupled with their understanding and empathetic approach, makes them exceptional at listening and guiding you throughout the journey."
What languages do you speak?
Carla is Italian and Dutch, with experience in the legal field, while Mélanie is Swiss and Swedish, with expertise in the communication field. Fluent in English, French, Dutch, Italian and Spanish, we use a multilingual and multicultural approach to help clients from diverse backgrounds navigate challenges effectively.
Why did you start?
We both experienced divorce in Switzerland (one as an expat and one as a Swiss citizen) and found ourselves completely lost as we tried to navigate the complexities of the process. While we had good legal counsel, we quickly realised that divorce extends far beyond legal advice — it touches every part of life, from our children and health to our careers, finances, and living arrangements. It even impacted our sense of identity and future aspirations.
Carla M. Zilli and Mélanie Svalander
As we navigated these challenges, we wished for someone to guide us — someone who could bridge the gaps, help us understand our options as well as the process, and support us in building a strong foundation for the next chapter of our lives.
Through numerous conversations with others, we discovered we were not alone. Many people, men and women, share similar struggles, and for expats, the language barrier adds yet another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation.
Individually, we began informally supporting friends and acquaintances who were facing similar challenges. When we eventually met, we realised that this informal support could be transformed into a structured service to help others through this difficult transition.
Have you been working on this idea forever?
We started working on this idea when we met during our post-grad studies in mediation at the University of Geneva 3 years ago.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Since our launch in July 2024, one of our biggest challenges has been educating people about the role and value of a divorce consultant. While divorce consultants (or coaches) are increasingly recognized in other countries, the concept remains relatively new in Switzerland.
Many people assume that lawyers will handle every aspect of a divorce. However, lawyers primarily focus on legal matters — not on emotional well-being, practical challenges, financial planning, or long-term life goals. A divorce consultant complements the legal process by providing clarity, demystifying each step, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions while avoiding costly mistakes. Beyond this, a divorce consultant offers emotional support and practical advice to navigate day-to-day challenges.
Divorce doesn’t have to harm mental health or drain financial resources. It can be viewed as a process of remodeling one’s life — one that requires a clear plan, the right team, and appropriate tools. A divorce consultant acts as the project manager for this process, helping to set priorities, build the right team, and remain focused on the bigger picture.
What are your plans for the future?
Our goal is to support as many people as possible who are navigating conflictual situations. Currently, our focus is primarily on the French-speaking part of Switzerland. However, over time, we aim to expand our reach across the entire country and broaden our services beyond mediation and divorce consulting to include areas such as succession.
What is your favorite product you offer and why?
Both of our service lines — mediation and divorce consulting — focus on conflict resolution. We are driven by a genuine passion to help individuals navigate complex situations and reach solutions that not only satisfy them but also preserve their emotional well-being and financial stability.
While mediation is well-known in Switzerland, divorce consulting is still a new concept in Switzerland. In Anglo-Saxon countries, we have seen firsthand the significant positive impact a divorce consultant can have on the trajectory of a person’s divorce. Divorce often brings escalating conflict, even in cases that begin amicably. A divorce consultant plays a key role in identifying the patterns of conflict, providing tools to de-escalate tensions, and fostering problem-solving approaches grounded in empathy and collaboration.
This process not only reduces emotional strain but also leads to better outcomes for individuals, their children, and their families as a whole.
This transformative support inspired us to bring the same benefits to Switzerland, helping individuals approach divorce or separation with greater clarity, confidence, and stability.
Carla and Melanie are kindly offering knowitall readers a free one-hour consultation. Please mention you read this article when connecting with them. Offer is valid through 30 June 2025.
SPARQ Consultants
Mélanie Svalander and Carla M. Zilli, Co-Founders
Divorce Consulting & Mediation
Office : +41 79 618 44 88
www.sparqconsultants.ch
melanie.svalander@sparqconsultants.ch
carla.zilli@sparqconsultants.ch
