During the process of separation and divorce, families are usually susceptible to a series of changes in their normal lives. Some of these changes include the integration of new family members, implementation of different communication approaches, grieving, and the implementation of new goals (Maker & Lovsin, 2015). Therapy is a critical aspect that fosters a family’s capacity to adapt to these changes effectively, particularly children. According to Dozier (2014), children of families who face divorce exhibit high rates of behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and are likely to experience relationship issues later in life. Dozier (2014) further argues that children whose families execute an effective and orderly divorce are less likely to demonstrate the effects mentioned above; this, therefore, emphasizes the efficacy and need for therapy during the separation and divorce process.
In this scenario, we recommend the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy as the most effective therapeutic approach. Divorce is a major change in a family institution and children ought to learn how to cope and adjust to this change. However, for some children, adapting and dealing with the situation may not be an easy task. Being divided into separate households and maybe even a new home or school can increase a child’s anger, convey concerns of separation anxiety, and negatively affect their school performances and social interactions. CBT can assist in helping the children with any of these issues that may complicate their ability to function normally after the separation.
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Deficits in problem-solving significantly relate to aspects such as distress, depression, and delinquent behaviors; these aspects represent the possible impacts of divorce, especially among children. Social-skills training and problem-solving approaches are among the commonly used CBT intervention strategies; these approaches play a critical role in helping children learn how to develop and implement more effective or appropriate solutions to situational conflicts and the skills requisite in responding to situational conflicts effectively (Holosko, Dulums, & Sowers, 2013). The problem-solving aspect under this intervention underscores the efficacy of alternative thinking, consequential thinking, and means-end thinking. Alternative thinking fosters a child’s capacity to develop alternative solutions to a particular issue, in this case, divorce. Consequential thinking refers to the ability to evaluate long and short-term impacts of an individual’s decision. Means-end thinking, on the other hand, enhances a person’s ability to plan a sequence of goal-directed actions to avoid impediments or hindrances and resolve issues promptly (Holosko, Dulums, & Sowers, 2013). Each of the skill mentioned above will play a critical role in enhancing the children’s capacity to have a smooth and easy adjustment process by approaching the situation in a more positive light rather than being aggressive as a sequel of the internal anger following their parents’ divorce.
With regards to the social-skill training aspect of this therapeutic approach, children are likely to benefit from group cognitive behavioral therapy. In group therapy, these children are likely to meet their peers who are facing a similar issue. Group therapy enhances the creation of helpful relationships, and the learning of skills required in developing a child’s behavior in a social setting (Effective Child Therapy, 2017). Group CBT therapy will enhance the children’s social skills that may have been damaged by the divorce and also improve the ability to have a positive response in social situations.
We also recommend the use of family therapy as an alternative therapeutic approach. Family therapy commonly referred to as family counseling or family systems therapy is a field of psychotherapy aimed at working with families to nurture or cultivate change and development among family members; it is a therapeutic approach that seeks to minimize conflict and distress among family members by improving the systems of interaction amid members of the family (Stobie & Tromski, 2009). Family therapy is a treatment approach that perceives change as a factor of the interaction systems amid family members; it underscores family relationships as a critical element in psychological and social health. Family therapy employs the use of various counseling techniques to approach a particular situation. Some of these techniques include Milan therapy, strategic therapy, transgenerational therapy, narrative therapy, psychoeducation, structural therapy, and psychotherapy (Stobie & Tromski, 2009).
Structural therapy aims to identify and reorganize the family system’s arrangement (Dozier, 2014). Strategic therapy is an approach which focuses on analyzing the interaction patterns amid family members. Milan therapy centers on evaluating a family’s belief system. Narrative therapy focuses on restoring the main problem-centered narrative and emphasizes a specific context and the need to distinguish the problem from the victim or patient (in this case, children) (Maker & Lovsin, 2015). Trans-generational therapy centers on evaluating the trans-generational conveyance of unhelpful patterns or series of behavior and beliefs. Psychoeducation is a therapeutic intervention (evidence-based) for individuals (children) and their loved ones (parents) which offers information and support to effectively comprehend and cope with a situation (divorce) (Maker & Lovsin, 2015). Psychotherapy employs the integration of psychological approaches to assist children in overcoming issues effectively and changing their perspective and attitude towards a particular situation (Dozier, 2014). Psychotherapy focuses on improving a person’s well-being, resolving or mitigating troublesome circumstances, thoughts, compulsions, emotions, and beliefs, and improving social skills and relationships (Dozier, 2014).
References
Dozier, B. (2014). Two-home families: A family system's approach to divorce therapy . New York, NY: iUniverse.
Maker, A. H., & Lovsin, P. (2015). Family Changes: Explaining divorce to children . San Diego, CA: Aspiring Families Press.
Stobie, M., & Tromski-Klingshirn, D. (2009). Borderline Personality Disorder, Divorce and Family Therapy: The Need for Family Crisis Intervention Strategies. American Journal of Family Therapy , 37(5), 414–432.
