Conducting a children's divorce group: one approach.
The disruptive period around the time of the divorce can shatter a child's entire living milieu. An 8-week experiential children's group incorporating art and creative activities as well as a concurrent parent group is described. The aim of treatment was to bolster children's abilities to communicate with parents and other caretakers. Overall, participants were observed to effectively release painful affect, communicate more openly, and identify strengths in their family systems. Yalom's therapeutic group factors were incorporated into the treatment model. The research of Davies and Cummings related to children in the context of family therapy was also considered. Group leaders included advance practice registered nurses. Follow-up objective data collected from participants might provide further information about the efficacy of the interventions.
Rich
Beverly Waldman
BW
Emma Pendelton Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI, USA. BWRich@lifespan.org
Molloy
Pat
P
Hart
Bernadette
B
Ginsberg
Susan
S
Mulvey
Trudy
T
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012932:Social Facilitation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*