The effects of divorce can be devastating, if not stressful. Concerns can include sadness or loss, fears, loneliness, rejection, conflicting loyalties, responsibilities, and anger. All are stressful. This workshop will discuss these and provide opportunities to explore methods for reducing associated stressors and ways to adjust to changed lives. You will be given an opportunity to develop personal goals. Instructor George Doherty is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience (6 yrs as Masters Psychologist, Rural Clinics - State of Nevada, 2 yrs Alamosa, CO & 12 yrs private practice). Specialities include Crisis Intervention, Trauma, Stress Mgmt & Disaster Mental Health Specialist. Previous Community College Instructor (NV), teach Workshops, Disaster Mental Health Courses & Conferences. Divorce Adjustment WebSite: https://www.angelfire.com/biz/odochartaigh/divorceadjust.html
Objectives
1. Recognize the background and effects of divorce on individuals and families. 2. To discuss trust and how divorce may affect a sense of trust in others. 3. To identify the emotions that are commonly associated with divorce and to discuss what happens to feelings that are repressed. 4. Review a 6-step problem solving method. 5. To identify and understand one's rights as an individual. 6. To introduce the concepts of external and internal conflicts. 7. To discuss ways to work through external conflict. 8. To teach individuals how to reduce anxiety that is related to inner conflict through the use of relaxation training. 9. To discuss problems unique to divorced individuals in order to provide insight into those problems and provide an opportunity for group assisted problem solving and conflict resolution. 10. To develop coping strategies for dealing with dating, remarriage and the stepfamily. 11. To help participants recognize hopes and fears about the future, especially in relation to building interpersonal relationships.
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Outline
I. Background and Effects: A. Statistics on Divorce B. Brief Review of effects of Divorce C. Common Concerns 1. Fear 2. Sadness or Loss 3. Feelings of responsibility 4. Loneliness 5. Feelings of rejection 6. Conflicting loyalties 7. Anger II. Common Components A. Self-esteem - Divorce creates emotional responses that may lower self-esteem. This can interfere with the ability to successfully meet challenges and, consequently, may negatively affect future self-concept. 1. Self-esteem and the family 2. Self-esteem and change 3. Self-esteem and groups B. Cognitive understanding of divorce C. Coping Skills D. Communication Skills E. Problem Solving F. Stress Management G. Other areas - use of BASIC-ID as a guideline to help assess adjustment. III. Types of Divorce and Impacts A. Destructive divorce B. Benevolent divorce C. Importance of belonging IV. Trust, Feelings, and Sharing One's Self and One's Feelings V. Problem-solving - 6 steps 1. State the problem 2. Identify how you feel about it. 3. Discuss the problem with a trusted friend. 4. Decide if the problem can be solved directly. 5. Remind yourself that the only person you can change is yourself. 6. Decide what action is possible. VI. Personal Rights VII. Working through conflict A. Discussion B. Evaluation C. Bargaining D. Follow through E. Closure VIII. Stress Management Techniques IX. Problems unique to divorced families A. Problems associated with single parenthood. B. Problems associated with visiting and custody issues. C. Problems associated with financial matters. D. Problems associated with abandonment. X. Dating, Remarriage, and the Stepfamily A. Dating B. Remarriage C. Step Families XI. Hopes for the future - Relationship building A. Relationship building B. Relationship problems XII. Summary and Where to go from here? Books on Divorce and Divorce Adjustment and Self-help Divorce Statistics Divorce Adjustment![]()
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