Both relationship counselling and mediation can have a beneficial effect during a relationship breakdown situation.
Couple counselling may reveal that your relationship has not passed its 'sell by date' after all, or it could clarify the need for separation as the best course of action for all concerned. Whatever the outcome you will be reassured that you are taking the right step and that in itself is of tremendous value. Mediation will try to help you and you partner focus on what is best for all concerned, especially the children. A trained mediator will not take sides, or tell you what to do, but will carefully guide you and avoid letting personal anger or bitterness get in the way of making the right and most practical decisions.
Using such professionals is a positive and beneficial step to take and will help you to feel less isolated in facing tough and difficult decisions.