DivorceGroup!Proposal! “BEARy!Special!Families”! EDHS7240 ...€¦ · DivorceGroup!Proposal!...

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Divorce Group Proposal “BEARy Special Families” EDHS 7240—Group Counseling April 20 th , 2012 Lisa Addison David Talmage

Transcript of DivorceGroup!Proposal! “BEARy!Special!Families”! EDHS7240 ...€¦ · DivorceGroup!Proposal!...

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Divorce  Group  Proposal  

“BEARy  Special  Families”  

EDHS  7240—Group  Counseling  

April  20th,  2012  

 

 

 

 

Lisa  Addison  

David  Talmage  

   

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Introduction  

  Creating  a  group  for  elementary  school  children  of  divorce  is  an  effective  way  to  

address  a  stressful  family  transition  and  provide  an  opportunity  for  support.    Children’s  

participation  in  a  group  can  normalize  the  experience  of  divorce.    The  process  of  building  

group  unity  and  teaching  children  about  divorce  can  benefit  the  students  and  reduce  the  

negative  effects  that  a  major  family  transition  can  have  on  a  child.    Goals  of  the  BEARy  

Special  Families  group  include  a  system  of  support  for  each  of  the  children,  along  with  the  

development  of  coping  strategies  to  deal  with  the  difficult  feelings  and  experiences  that  

coincide  with  a  divorce.  

 

Literature  Review  

  Divorce  affects  nearly  one  million  children  each  year  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Divorce  

is  a  stressful  process  for  the  entire  family,  and  is  characterized  by  a  period  of  conflict  and  

instability  that  can  disrupt  parent  to  child  relationships,  cause  geographic  transitions,  and  

may  lead  to  a  decrease  in  resources  for  children  to  adjust  to  their  new  environment  (Kim,  

2011;  Potter,  2010).    Although  the  effects  of  divorce  can  vary  based  on  the  situation  and  the  

child,  many  outcomes  for  children  of  divorce  can  be  negative  (Potter,  2010).    Furthermore,  

these  outcomes  can  be  short-­‐term  by  only  lasting  the  duration  of  the  divorcing  process,  or  

they  can  be  long-­‐term,  leading  to  disadvantages  and  trials  in  adulthood  (Kim,  2011).    

Associations  found  between  children  of  divorced  parents  and  adulthood  disadvantages  

include  higher  rates  of  depression,  anxiety,  and  interpersonal  difficulties,  poorer  subjective  

well-­‐being,  lower  socioeconomic  status,  and  increased  marital  problems  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  

2005).    In  elementary  school  children  whose  parents  are  currently  involved  in  a  divorce,  

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prominent  effects  that  can  be  seen  are  sadness  and  vulnerability,  a  lowered  performance  of  

appropriate  interpersonal  skills,  increased  internalizing  behaviors,  a  decrease  in  academic  

performance,  feelings  of  hopelessness,  self-­‐blame,  and  the  fear  of  abandonment  (Pedro-­‐

Carroll,  2005).      

  Despite  the  negative  effects  that  divorcing  or  separating  parents  can  have  on  their  

children,  participation  in  a  school-­‐based  group  with  other  elementary  school  children  

struggling  with  a  similar  family  transition  can  provide  the  amount  of  support  needed  to  

cope  with  divorce.    However,  in  order  for  a  group  for  children  of  divorce  (like  BEARy  

Special  Families)  to  be  successful,  it  should  follow  guidelines  of  goals  and  procedures  that  

align  with  research.    Firstly,  the  group  should  be  child-­‐focused  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    An  

important  goal  for  groups  for  children  of  divorce  is  the  development  of  group  cohesion;  

children  need  an  atmosphere  of  trust  to  facilitate  the  discussion  of  feelings  and  situations  

that  may  be  uncomfortable  (Rose,  2009).    A  supportive  group  environment  is  critical  for  

children  to  feel  safe  and  respected  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Moreover,  the  mutual  support  of  

talking  to  other  children  with  shared  experiences  can  contribute  to  the  normalizing  process  

of  divorce  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    The  development  of  group  cohesion  is  a  fundamental  

aspect  of  a  group  for  children  of  divorce.  

  In  addition  to  working  as  a  unified  group,  a  successful  group  for  children  of  divorce  

should  also  provide  opportunities  for  teaching  elementary  school  students.    Demystifying  

the  process  of  divorce  and  familiarizing  children  with  the  terminology  they  might  hear  

throughout  the  process  (custody,  separation,  etc.)  is  important  for  the  child’s  

understanding  (Rose,  2009).    Holding  onto  misconceptions  about  divorce  and  family  

changes  can  be  harmful  to  children  who  are  prone  to  rely  on  wishful  thinking  to  cope  

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(Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Similarly,  helping  children  understand  what  aspects  of  divorce  are  

in  or  out  of  their  control  can  ameliorate  feelings  of  guilt  or  self-­‐blame  the  child  might  have  

following  the  separation  of  his  or  her  parents  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Providing  children  

with  accurate  information  can  be  beneficial  to  elementary  school  children  who  may  be  

confused  by  the  process  of  divorce.  

     Groups  for  children  of  divorce  also  provide  an  opportunity  to  children  to  learn  

coping  strategies.    Not  only  can  they  learn  to  identify  the  complex  feelings  that  may  be  

triggered  by  their  parents’  divorce,  but  they  can  also  learn  what  aspects  of  their  lives  they  

can  control  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Providing  children  with  the  opportunity  to  express  

themselves  creativity  is  a  unique  way  that  children  can  brainstorm  and  express  their  

feelings  (DeLucia-­‐Waack,  2011).    This  increases  their  awareness  of  the  goals  being  

discussed  in  the  group  and  provides  control  in  expressing  their  sense  of  self.    

Empowerment  is  an  important  aspect  of  a  child-­‐centered  group,  and  can  contribute  to  

higher  levels  of  self-­‐esteem  for  the  children  and  increase  their  ability  to  cope.    

  A  group  for  children  of  divorce  can  foster  resilience  in  children,  or  their  ability  to  

adapt  in  the  context  of  a  significant  challenge  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    The  results  of  

outcome  studies  for  short-­‐term  counseling  groups  for  children  of  divorce  are  generally  

positive.    Groups  that  last  less  than  ten  sessions  can  reduce  feelings  of  anxiety,  aggression,  

and  depression  in  elementary  school  children  (Rose,  2009).    Furthermore,  teachers  report  

that  students  participating  in  counseling  groups  are  be  better  able  to  tolerate  frustration,  

follow  rules,  ask  for  help  when  needed,  and  get  along  well  with  peers  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    

Counseling  groups  for  children  of  divorce  can  minimize  acting  out  in  the  classroom  and  

improve  academic  performance.  

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Not  only  can  group  counseling  help  children  achieve  and  behave  in  the  classroom,  

but  it  can  also  contribute  to  children  having  a  more  positive  self-­‐perception  (Rose,  2009).    

Following  their  participation  in  a  divorce  counseling  group,  children  develop  an  openness  

in  sharing  feelings  and  the  ability  to  deal  with  problematic  situations  (Rose,  2009).    Overall,  

counseling  groups  for  children  of  divorce,  such  as  BEARy  Special  Families,  lead  to  generally  

positive  changes  and  better  adjustment  for  the  children  in  their  personal  and  academic  

lives  (Rose,  2009).  

  Although  this  is  not  included  in  the  actual  curriculum  of  the  children  of  divorce  

group,  BEARy  Special  Families,  counselors  should  remember  to  keep  parents  involved  

throughout  the  process.    Providing  them  with  resources  and  information  about  how  to  help  

their  children  cope  with  the  divorce  is  important  (Rose,  2009).    Because  of  the  transitions  

that  are  happening  within  a  divorcing  family,  parents  can  lose  focus  of  maintaining  a  stable  

parenting  style  or  be  unaware  of  the  effects  divorce  can  have  on  their  elementary  school  

children  (Pedro-­‐Carroll,  2005).    Parents  have  to  power  to  influence  their  children  

considerably;  therefore,  the  maintenance  of  a  healthy  parent-­‐child  relationship  can  

mitigate  the  negative  effects  of  divorce.  

  In  conclusion,  elementary  school  students  whose  parents  are  divorcing  may  

experience  negative  effects  in  their  psychosocial  well-­‐being  or  have  trouble  coping  with  

their  family’s  transition.    Implementing  and  facilitating  a  counseling  group  or  following  the  

curriculum  of  BEARy  Special  Families  can  create  a  forum  for  children  to  gain  support  from  

their  fellow  classmates  and  learn  effective  coping  skills  to  help  them  through  the  change.    

Children  who  participate  in  this  program  can  benefit  in  various  domains  of  their  lives,  

including  academics,  personal  and  social  adjustment,  and  develop  an  overall  positive  self-­‐

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perception.    Furthermore,  they  can  increase  their  understanding  of  the  process  of  divorce  

and  learn  how  to  express  their  feelings  and  thoughts  about  their  family’s  changes.    A  group  

for  children  of  divorce  can  give  them  the  forum  to  identify  and  discuss  their  feelings  and  

allow  them  the  time  to  focus  their  energy  on  being  a  child.  

 

Population  and  Concerns  

  This  group  is  designed  specifically  for  those  children  who  are  in  second  through  

fourth  grade,  roughly  aged  seven  to  ten.    Research  has  shown  that  the  younger  ages  in  this  

spectrum  who  experience  divorce  are  likely  to  feel  sadness,  confusion,  guilt,  and  fears  of  

abandonment.    Looking  at  the  older  end  of  our  range,  feelings  of  loyalty,  isolation,  and  

stigma  associated  with  divorce  are  most  pertinent.    This  divorce  group  attempts  to  

combine  both  primary  concerns  for  each  age  group  and  address  both  simultaneously.      In  

addition,  group  members  should  be  selected  with  an  about  even  split  with  respect  to  sex,  as  

well  as  a  varied  divorce  background.    This  is  to  say  that  group  members  should  come  from  

several  points  in  the  divorce  process,  e.g.  those  whose  parents  are  separated,  just  divorced,  

and  some  time  after  divorce.    In  addition,  it  will  be  helpful  to  choose  children  who  have  not  

been  observed  being  behavioral  issues  in  the  classroom  as  this  may  have  the  potential  to  

disrupt  the  process.    Consideration,  however,  should  be  made  for  those  cases  in  which  the  

behavioral  issues  are  a  result  of  the  divorce.    

  A  group  setting  has  been  chosen  due  to  the  social  support  that  is  gained  from  having  

a  diversely  composed  group.    Divorce  is  a  very  common  issue,  especially  for  this  age  group,  

and  the  amount  of  social  support  and  experiences  that  will  be  exchanged  through  group  

members  is  invaluable.    One  of  the  main  instruments  of  therapy  in  this  setting  is  the  

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interaction  among  group  members  who  have  been  selected  because  of  their  varied  points  

in  the  divorce  process.    The  experiences  and  knowledge  that  may  be  offered  from  the  

various  perspectives  is  a  main  goal  of  the  group  that  often  cannot  be  suggested  through  

interaction  with  one  counselor  alone.        

  The  issue  of  divorce  appears  to  be  a  somewhat  universal  one,  thus  necessitating  a  

very  wide  variety  of  potential  group  members  across  cultures.    Since  the  impetus  of  the  

strife-­‐causing  event  is  located  with  the  parents,  the  issue  has  the  potential  to  affect  all  kinds  

of  children  across  all  walks  of  life.    Thus,  a  wide  net  should  be  cast  to  utilize  all  types  of  

children  according  to  the  aforementioned  standards.    Most  children  within  this  age  range  

will  be  in  the  Preoperational  stage  of  development,  and  will  likely  be  faced  with  the  

“Initiative  vs.  Inferiority”  stage.    This  is  a  crucial  detail  and  one  of  the  main  reasons  why  

this  age  group  has  been  targeted.    Parental  influence  is  a  fundamental  aspect  in  the  

development  of  initiative,  especially  initiative  independent  of  the  parents.    When  the  

parental  paradigm  is  compromised,  serious  developmental  complications  could  potentially  

occur.    The  target  age  for  the  participants  in  this  group  is  an  essential  aspect  in  this  process.  

Group  Theories  

  The  facilitator  of  the  BEARy  Special  Families  group  for  children  of  divorce  should  

embody  Rogerian  principles  of  client-­‐centered  therapy.    In  order  to  encourage  the  children  

in  the  group  to  be  open  with  their  complex  feelings  and  emotions,  the  group  leader  can  

model  the  qualities  of  being  empathetic,  non-­‐judgmental,  and  showing  unconditional  

positive  regard  for  each  of  the  children  in  the  room.    Starting  with  this  basic  counseling  

theory  can  lead  to  the  ideal  environment  for  children  talking  about  a  topic  that  may  be  

uncomfortable;  having  an  atmosphere  of  acceptance  and  allowing  the  expression  of  

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feelings  during  each  group  session  is  critical  for  participants  to  benefit  from  the  group  

process.  

  Although  each  session  does  follow  along  with  an  activity,  many  of  them  are  

creativity-­‐based,  encouraging  group  members  to  use  the  arts  to  express  their  feelings.    For  

example,  session  3  focuses  on  discovering  the  students’  feelings  about  the  divorce  by  

looking  at  pictures,  discussing  them,  and  cutting  and  pasting  feeling  words.    The  overall  

focus  of  the  group  work  is  for  each  individual  member  to  benefit  from  the  sharing  and  

conversation  with  peers;  instead  of  the  facilitator  explicitly  directing  how  the  clients  are  

supposed  to  feel  and  what  specific  way  they  should  be  coping  with  divorce,  they  develop  

meaning  from  each  session  by  working  with  each  other.    The  group  members,  through  a  

support  system  and  an  environment  of  expressing  feelings,  are  allowed  to  rely  on  each  

other  for  successful  and  unsuccessful  experiences  and  strategies  for  coping.    By  taking  a  

person-­‐centered  approach,  focusing  on  the  environment  of  the  group  sessions,  and  

allowing  the  members  to  learn  from  each  other  and  the  creative  group  process,  the  

outcomes  can  lead  to  positive  changes  for  children  of  divorce.  

 

 

Membership  

  This  group  will  consist  of  6-­‐8  members  who  will,  are,  or  have  experienced  divorce  in  

their  families  and  is  reserved  primarily  for  second  to  fourth  grade  students.    The  group  wil  

be  a  closed  group  due  to  the  sensitive  nature  of  the  work  and  the  balance  of  experience  

level  with  divorce.    Having  a  closed  group  ensures  that  this  balanced  is  maintained  and  that,  

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for  instance,  the  group  is  not  composed  completely  of  children  who  are  currently  

undergoing  divorce.    This  diversity  in  the  group  will  promote  the  inter-­‐group  work  that  is  

necessary  for  the  end  goal  and  is  an  absolutely  necessary  component  for  the  group  to  

function  as  planned.  

  Group  members  will  be  selected  by  teacher  reference,  word  of  mouth,  and  

expressed  interest  from  parents.    Letters  should  be  sent  home  to  parents  letting  them  know  

that  there  is  a  divorce  group  that  will  be  occurring  and  interest  should  be  gauged.    From  

there,  further  information  should  be  obtained  from  parents  regarding  a  background,  

including  family  history  and  superficial  information  on  the  divorce.    Selections  should  be  

made  with  the  aforementioned  criteria  in  mind.    The  group  will  optimally  consist  of  6-­‐8  

members  of  a  relatively  even  split  in  sex,  as  well  as  screening  out  for  non  divorce-­‐related  

behavior  issues.    This  number  of  members  will  provide  for  a  personal  flow  and  exchange  of  

information  without  being  overwhelmed  by  the  number  of  people.    Secondarily,  this  

number  of  participants  provides  for  the  greatest  opportunity  for  diversity  in  experience  

with  divorce.    Lastly,  from  a  logistical  standpoint,  one  counselor  can  adequately  maintain  

behavioral  standards  for  6-­‐8  children  effectively  whereas  a  greater  number  would  lessen  

effectiveness.      

  Group  members  will  be  oriented  to  the  group  in  the  first  session  with  the  rules  and  

introductions.    Parents  will  be  primed  with  the  group  plan  prior  to  the  start  of  the  group  

and  will  be  instructed  to  explain  to  their  child  the  contents  of  the  group  generally.    This  

overview  will  prime  the  child  to  be  ready  for  their  group  experience  without  significantly  

biasing  them  toward  the  content.    Group  members  will  have  the  right  to  leave  the  group  at  

any  time.    Responsibilities  extend  to  the  group  rules  that  are  set  out  during  the  first  

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meeting.    Group  members  are  expected  to  show  up  to  each  meeting  and  offer  meaningful  

experiences  for  group  process.    Confidentiality  is  a  responsibility,  not  a  right  in  this  group.    

Members  are  expected  to  keep  the  process  confidential,  but  it  is  made  clear  that  

confidentiality  is  not  guaranteed  due  to  the  group  nature  of  the  setting.    This  is  the  only  risk  

for  participants  of  the  group.      

 

Curriculum  

  Please  see  the  next  page  for  curricula  and  group  plan,  including  all  appendices.      

   

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SESSION  1      (EST.  25  MIN)  

 Overview     This  session  will  primarily  focus  on  group  members  getting  to  know  each  other  and  becoming  familiar  with  the  rules.    Students  will  understand  in  general  terms  what  the  group  is  about  and  why  they  are  there.    Students  will  come  away  from  this  group  understanding  that  they  are  members  in  a  cohesive  unit.  Group  rules  will  also  be  established  for  the  duration  of  the  group  process.    Objectives  

Students  will  be  able  to  recall  each  group  member’s  name   Students  will  be  able  to  concretely  define  what  the  group  will  focus  on   Students  will  be  able  to  understand  that  the  group  is  finite  and  will  know  how  many  

sessions  it  entails    Lesson  Procedure  

1. Welcome  students  and  begin  with  student  introductions.    Explain  confidentiality  piece.    Use  a  yarn  ball  to  regulate  emotions.    Have  students  throw  the  ball  to  other  students  sitting  in  a  circle.    Demonstrate  the  web  of  support  that  is  created  at  the  end  of  introductions.  

2. Group  Rules—Collaborate  with  students  to  come  up  with  rules  that  will  regulate  the  group.    Rules  should  end  up  controlling  the  flow  of  talking  and  promoting  nonjudgmental  attitudes  toward  what  is  said  in  group.        

3. Pre-­‐Group  Assignment-­‐  Distribute  the  “BEARy  Special  Families”  Pre/Post  tests  (Appendix  A)  to  students.  

4. Group  Talk—Talk  in  very  general  terms  about  what  divorce  is.    Ask  students  in  the  circle  what  they  know  about  divorce.    Have  students  offer  their  own  experiences  for  how  they  have  experienced  divorce.    

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SESSION  2      (EST.  25  MIN)  

 Overview     Session  two  will  focus  primarily  on  understanding  what  divorce  is.    Children  will  come  away  from  this  group  with  a  more  concrete  understanding  of  divorce  proceedings  using  a  mix  of  bibliotherapy  and  experiences  from  students  who  have  experienced  divorce  for  a  longer  period  of  time.        Objectives  

Students  will  gain  a  discrete  understanding  of  the  concept  of  divorce   Students  will  be  able  to  accurately  judge  within  reason  where  their  parents  may  be  

in  the  divorce  process   Students  will  be  able  to  define  what  their  role  is  in  the  divorce.    In  addition,  they  will  

understand  that  if  there  is  “fault,”  none  lies  with  them.   Students  will  understand  what  their  parent’s  role  in  the  divorce  is  

 Lesson  Procedure  

1. Dinosaurs  Divorce—Read  pages  4-­‐10  of  Dinosaurs  Divorce  (Appendix  B).    Be  sure  to  discuss  and  appropriately  explain  each  frame  in  the  book  as  you  come  to  it.    Points  of  Discussion:  

a. What  does  “divorce”  mean  to  each  student?    What  does  it  mean  to  the  dino  family?  

b. Why  did  the  parents  in  the  book  get  divorced?    Similar/different  to  any  families  in  the  group?  

c. How  has  each  child’s  relationship  with  their  family  changed  as  a  result  of  the  divorce?  

d. Whose  “fault,”  if  any,  is  the  divorce?    What  is  the  child’s  role  in  the  divorce?  2. Whose  Job  Is  It?—Pass  out  the  “Whose  Job  Is  It”  worksheet.    Have  students  draw  a  

line  for  each  item  to  either  “parents”  or  “child,”  depending  on  whose  job  the  selected  item  is.    

Connect  this  back  to  the  Dinosaurs  Divorce  book.    Look  at  whose  role  is  whose  in  the  book  and  relate  that  to  the  children’s’  lives.  

   

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SESSION  3      (EST.  25  MIN)  

 Overview     This  session  will  bring  the  student’s  emotions  regarding  the  divorce  into  focus.    Students  will  help  each  other  introspect  and  discover  how  they  feel  about  their  role  in  the  family  dynamic.        Objectives  

Students  will  be  able  to  identify  and  appropriately  express  any  emotions  they  feel  brought  on  by  the  divorce  

Students  will  begin  to  develop  strategies  to  deal  with  any  negative  emotions  they  are  feeling  

Reduce  children’s  anxiety  and  frustration  developed  due  to  the  divorce  Lesson  Procedure  

1. Dinosaurs  Divorce—Reread  pages  6-­‐7  and  read  pages  11-­‐12  of  Dinosaurs  Divorce.    Discuss  how  each  child  feels  about  their  family’s  situation  and  how  those  feelings  are  valid,  even  though  other  children  may  feel  differently.  

Encourage  students  whose  families  are  further  along  in  the  divorce  process  to  explicate  on  their  experiences  and  feelings.    Direct  these  experiences  to  the  students  who  are  in  the  midst  of  the  process.  

2. Changing  Feelings—Pass  out  the  feelings  worksheets  (Appendicies  D  &  E).  a. First,  discuss  each  picture  on  the  feelings  page  and  what  each  emotion  entails.    

Discuss  how  these  emotions  could  carry  over  into  school  life—e.g.  if  you  are  distracted  in  school,  your  grades  may  suffer.  

b. Have  students  cut  out  and  glue  the  various  emotions  to  the  second  feelings  worksheet,  separating  their  emotions  into  the  two  columns.    After  it  is  complete,  talk  about  how  their  feelings  have  changed  and  why.    

       

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SESSION  4      (EST.  30  MIN)  

 Overview     In  session  4,  students  will  understand  the  immediate  results  of  the  divorce.    For  the  children,  the  most  likely  impactful  result  will  be  the  transition  into  two  houses.    Children  will  learn  what  to  expect  having  two  homes  and  will  try  to  learn  strategies  to  reconcile  the  split  in  their  lives.    Students  will  understand  what  they  can  do  to  ease  the  transition  and  provide  focal  points  from  which  they  can  draw  happiness  in  times  of  despair.    Lastly,  children  will  understand  what  to  do  if  the  divorce  produces  fighting  between  parents.      Objectives  

Students  will  understand  that  (usually)  divorced  parents  live  in  different  houses  and  that  they  will  likely  have  two  homes  

Students  will  find  ways  to  connect  the  two  homes  and  identify  items  in  each  home  that  they  can  use  to  promote  consistency  

Students  will  identify  activities  that  they  enjoy  doing  with  both  parents   Students  will  come  away  with  an  “Emergency  Plan”  in  case  there  is  physical  or  

verbal  fighting  between  parents  Lesson  Procedure  

1. Dinosaurs  Divorce—Read  pages  13-­‐21  of  Dinosaurs  Divorce.    Be  sure  to  discuss  each  frame  and  the  impact  that  it  can  have  on  the  student.  

a. Discuss  with  students  why  parents  feel  the  need  to  move  into  separate  houses.  

b. Draw  on  experiences  from  more  knowledgeable  students  who  already  have  lived  in  two  homes.    What  is  it  like?    How  do  they  manage  two  rooms?    Any  logistical  details  are  welcomed.    

2. Awesome  Times  with  Parents—Pass  out  the  worksheet  where  students  list  what  they  like  to  do  with  each  parent  (Appendix  F).    Have  students  draw  or  list  activities  that  they  have  enjoyed  or  would  enjoy  doing  with  each  parent.    Have  students  share  with  the  group  their  experiences  and  plans.  

3. Packing  for  A  Fun  Time—Pass  out  the  suitcases  worksheet.    Have  students  “pack  their  suitcases”  for  everything  they  would  need  in  order  to  do  the  things  they  listed  with  each  parent.    Share  with  the  group.    Show  students  that  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  keep  a  bag  with  all  of  their  “essential”  toys  and  comfort  items  to  transport  between  homes.  

4. Crisis  Plan—Hand  out  a  blank  sheet  of  paper  and  ask  children  to  draw  each  of  their  rooms  (or  one  room  if  family  not  yet  divorced)  on  either  side  of  the  paper.    Talk  about  how  parents  express  anger  when  they  are  mad  at  each  other.    Have  students  find  a  “safe  zone”  in  their  room  where  they  can  go  if  their  parents  start  fighting  and  mark  it  on  their  paper.    Explain  to  students  that  this  is  where  they  should  go  if  their  parents  start  fighting,  and  stay  there  until  the  fight  is  over.    Talk  about  calling  911  if  the  fight  gets  physical.      Tell  the  child  to  list  things  that  they  can  put  in  their  “safe  zone”  to  make  them  feel  comfortable  during  the  crisis.      

   

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SESSION  5      (EST.  20  MIN)  

 Overview     This  session  should  focus  on  the  different  types  of  families  that  one  can  have.    Focus  should  begin  to  move  to  post-­‐divorce  issues—i.e.  families  that  result  after  a  divorce.    This  lesson  will  focus  also  on  parents  dating  other  people,  who  could  possibly  become  stepparents.    Termination  should  also  be  brought  up  in  this  session.    Objectives  

Students  will  be  able  to  list  and  define  other  types  of  families  besides  their  own  nuclear  family  

Students  will  understand  the  role  of  stepparents  and  will  be  more  aptly  able  to  identify  and  cope  with  their  emotions  toward  potential  new  family  members.      

Lesson  Procedure  1. Dinosaurs  Divorce—Read  pages  24-­‐32  of  Dinosaurs  Divorce.    This  portion  

discusses  implications  for  children  when  parents  start  seeing  other  people  and  how  to  deal  with  emotions  that  result  for  the  children.  

a. Discuss  the  feelings  that  each  child  may  have  if  their  parents  were  to  start  seeing  other  people.    Draw  on  experiences  from  the  more  divorce-­‐experienced  children.  

b. How  would  children  react  to  potential  stepbrother/sisters?  c. Discuss  and  list  types  of  families.    Some  examples  to  be  sure  to  cover  include  

nuclear  families,  single-­‐parent  families,  same-­‐sex  families,  extended  families,  and  foster  families.      

2. Letter  to  Parents—Pass  out  to  students  two  pieces  of  blank  paper.    Have  students  write  a  letter  to  their  parents  about  how  they  feel.    Suggest  including  the  following:  

a. How  the  child  felt  before  the  divorce  and  how  he/she  feels  now  b. What  the  child  sees  as  his/her  role  in  the  divorce  c. What  the  child  wants  to  see  as  his/her  ideal  new  situation  (short  of  reunion)    

3. Termination—The  group’s  should  be  brought  up  at  this  point  by  reminding  students  that  the  sixth  and  final  meeting  is  next.    Have  students  come  to  the  next  group  meeting  with  suggestions  for  support  after  the  group  has  ended.    Examples  could  include:  

Parents   Grandparents/Extended  Family   Counselor   Trusted  Friends   Journaling  

     

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SESSION  6      (EST.  30  MIN)  

 Overview     This  final  session  will  focus  on  termination  and  a  recap  of  the  work  that  the  group  has  done.    The  group  should  focus  on  the  process  that  it  has  undertaken  to  reach  the  point  that  it  is  at  now.    The  group  will  review  all  of  the  activities  that  it  has  done  and  infer  them  into  the  near  to  distant  future.    Support  systems  will  be  established  for  aid  after  the  group  has  ended.          Objectives  

Students  will  be  able  to  recap  the  work  that  they  have  done  by  contributing  to  the  BEARy  Special  Families  group  booklet  correctly  

Students  will  understand  that  this  meeting  is  the  last  session  for  the  group  and  that  after  this  meeting  the  group  is  dismantled  permanently  

Students  will  understand  that  there  are  supports  in  place  for  further  assistance.    They  will  be  able  to  demonstrate  knowledge  of  how  to  access  these  support  systems  in  the  event  that  they  become  necessary.  

Lesson  Procedure  1. Support  Systems—Begin  with  a  discussion  about  the  various  support  systems  that  

the  students  came  up  with  since  the  group’s  last  meeting.    Relate  these  support  systems  to  the  rest  of  the  group  and  apply  them  to  practical  resources  that  students  can  use  after  today’s  meeting.  

2. BEARy  Special  Families  Booklet—  Explain  to  students  that  you  need  their  help.    Tell  them  that  they  have  done  such  an  amazing  job  in  their  BBES  BEARy  Special  Families  group  that  you  want  them  to  make  a  booklet  to  help  other  students  going  through  divorce.      

a. Distribute  two  questions  to  each  child  using  the  questions  page  on  the  booklet  worksheet  (Appendix  H).    Go  around  to  each  member  and  have  them  read  their  first  question.    Come  up  with  answers  as  a  group,  and  have  each  child  write  an  answer  for  the  question  with  bullet  points  or  draw  pictures.      

b. Go  around  the  room  until  questions  have  been  answered.    Then,  on  the  main  cardstock  portion  of  the  book,  have  each  student  paste  their  questions  into  the  book  together  as  a  group.      

c. Thank  them  for  their  work  and  let  them  know  that  future  students  will  think  this  book  is  awesome  and  will  find  it  extremely  helpful.  

3. Post-­‐Test—Distribute  the  same  Pre/Post  Test  worksheet  (Appendix  A).    Have  students  complete.  

4. Termination—Have  students  go  around  and  say  any  parting  words  they  may  have  for  the  group.    Remind  them  of  their  support  systems  that  they  have  in  place  and  end  the  group.  

   

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Evaluation  

  Evaluation  will  consist  of  a  pre  and  posttest  format.    Appendix  A  illustrates  a  formal  

evaluation  that  will  be  used  at  various  points  in  the  group  process.    Measurements  should  

improve  over  time  as  work  is  done  within  the  group  and  the  child  develops  a  more  

comprehensive  and  intricate  understanding  of  the  workings  behind  divorce.    The  

evaluation  will  show  identification  of  resources,  support  network,  basic  understandings  of  

divorce  process,  child-­‐parent  roles,  and  implications  for  future  family  constellations,  to  

name  a  few.    An  effective  group  will  meet  all  objectives  listed  in  each  of  the  curricula  and  

will  show  significant  improvement  in  the  post-­‐group  evaluation  when  compared  to  the  

pretest.    The  counselor  should  measure  participants  against  their  own  tests,  as  well  as  take  

median  scores  for  the  group  as  a  whole  for  each  pre  and  posttest  to  evaluate  the  overall  

effectiveness  of  the  group  structure  itself.      

  Provisions  for  post-­‐group  work  are  built  into  the  group  process  structure.    Children  

will  learn  to  identify  and  access  resources  for  a  support  network  on  their  own.    In  addition,  

students  will  come  away  from  the  group  with  a  self-­‐generated  list  of  support  network  

resources  and  how  to  access  each  one.    Students  or  parents  who  believe  that  the  child  has  

been  harmed  or  not  progressed  as  a  result  of  the  group  may  set  up  individual  counseling  

with  the  school  counselor,  or  talk  to  school  administration  about  further  directions.    In  

addition,  the  counselor  will  have  a  list  of  outside  counseling  resources  to  offer  if  the  

parents  would  like  to  seek  external  assistance.        

 

 

 

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Ethics  

  In  alignment  with  the  goals  of  the  Association  for  Specialists  in  Group  Work,  the  

BEARy  Special  Families  group  uses  the  diversity  of  children  of  different  genders,  in  

different  stages  of  the  divorce  process,  and  with  different  family  constellations.    The  

growth  of  the  individuals  within  the  group  is  based  on  the  value  of  sharing  different  

perspectives,  as  group  members  are  creating  a  sense  of  unity  through  their  mutual  

experience  of  divorce.    Specifically,  in  starting  the  BEARy  Special  Families  group,  the  

screening  process  is  a  way  for  the  counselor  to  assess  the  needs  of  the  population  of  

children  at  the  school.    Divorce  is  common,  and  children  are  likely  to  be  reacting  in  

different  ways  to  this  family  transition;  providing  a  school-­‐based  counseling  group  for  

these  children  in  need  is  the  responsibility  for  the  counselor.  

  The  goals  set  for  the  BEARy  Special  Families  group,  of  helping  children  to  

understand  what  it  means  to  have  a  transitioning  family  and  how  they  can  gain  support  

from  peers  who  have  also  experienced  similar  challenges,  are  in  place  for  the  benefit  of  the  

group  members.    Having  a  clearly  defined  set  of  objectives  for  the  children  in  accordance  to  

the  ASGW  guidelines  is  a  way  to  provide  the  group  members  with  a  routine  and  stability,  as  

well  as  an  understanding  of  what  they  can  expect  from  the  process.    The  person-­‐centered  

approach  that  will  guide  this  group  is  ethically  appropriate  for  working  with  children  of  

divorce.    Studies  have  shown  the  importance  of  providing  an  atmosphere  of  support  and  

genuineness  to  allow  for  the  emotional  expression  that  is  necessary  for  children’s  growth  

during  divorce.      

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Because  the  BEARy  Special  Families  group  is  based  on  the  qualities  of  groups  that  

are  supported  by  research,  the  interventions  match  with  activities  that  have  been  

demonstrated  to  benefit  children  of  divorce.  With  the  careful  implementation  of  the  goals  

and  guidelines  of  the  group,  it  is  likely  that  the  students  involved  will  benefit  from  the  

positive  effects  participation  can  have.    On  the  other  hand,  it  is  important  to  remember  that  

research  in  the  field  is  constantly  being  updated,  so  it  is  important  to  update  activities  and  

lesson  plans  accordingly.    Finally,  this  group  plan  for  children  of  divorce  includes  a  plan  for  

the  evaluation  of  the  program  to  ensure  that  students  are  receiving  positive  benefits  from  

the  experience.    Even  if  the  group  follows  the  suggestions  of  current  research,  it  is  

important  that  the  specific  children  within  a  counselor’s  school  are  getting  their  needs  met  

adequately  and  appropriately.  

   

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References  

DeLucia-­‐Waack,  J.  L.  (2011).  Children  of  divorce  groups.  In  G.  Greif  &  P.  Ephross  

(Eds.),  Group  Work  with  Populations  at  Risk  (pp.  930=-­‐114).  Oxford:  Oxford  

University  Press,  Inc.  

Kim,  H.  S.  (2011).  Consequences  of  parental  divorce  for  child  development.  American  

Sociological  Review,  76(3),  487-­‐511.  doi:  10.1177/0003122411407748  

Pedro-­‐Carroll,  J.  L.  (2005).  Fostering  resilience  in  the  aftermath  of  divorce:  The  role  of  

evidence-­‐based  programs  for  children.  Family  Court  Review,  43(1),  52-­‐64.  

Potter,  D.  (2010).  Psychosocial  well-­‐being  and  the  relationship  between  divorce  and  

children's  academic  achievement.  Journal  of  Marriage  &  Family,  72,  933-­‐946.  doi:  

10.1111/j.1741-­‐3737.2010.00740.x  

Rose,  S.  R.  (2009).  A  review  of  effectiveness  of  group  work  with  children  of  divorce.  Social  

Work  with  Groups,  32(3),  222-­‐229.  

   

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Appendix  A  

 

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Appendix  B  

 Krasny  Brown,  L.,  &  Brown,  M.  (1986).  Dinosaurs  Divorce.  United  States:  Joy  Street  Books.  

 

 

 

 

   

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Appendix  C  

 

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Appendix  D  

 

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Appendix  E  

 

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Appendix  F  

 

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Appendix  G  

 

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Appendix  H  

 

(Continued  on  next  page)  

! BEARy Special Families!

A BOOK BY:

Bethany Bagley Palmer Ware Lisa Addison Emily Warren Kerry Avakian Kathryn Aldrich Song Eun Han Sarah Epstein Ryan Schuyer Derick Williams

With a little help from: Mr. D.

! !

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