The Group Topic Will Be Children Of Divorce Throughout This

The Group Topic Will Be Children Of Divorcethroughout This Course You

The assignment requires selecting a specific group type from a provided list, writing a summary that includes the group type, the reason for choosing it, the population served, the number of sessions, the number of participants, and the goals of the counseling group. Additionally, the summary must reference at least two scholarly sources. The focus is on designing a counseling group from beginning to end, with a clear and academically sound description of the chosen group.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected group type for this counseling project is "Children of Divorce." I chose this group due to the increasing prevalence of divorce and its impactful effects on children’s emotional and psychological well-being. Divorce can significantly disrupt children’s sense of stability, safety, and development, often leading to long-term emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. Addressing these issues through a structured counseling group can facilitate healing, resilience, and healthy coping strategies.

The population served by this group includes children aged 8 to 14 years whose parents are going through or have gone through a divorce. This age range is critical because children in this developmental stage are particularly vulnerable to the emotional consequences of parental separation, but they also possess sufficient cognitive maturity to benefit from group therapy interventions. The group aims to create a supportive environment where children can share their feelings, learn effective coping skills, and develop resilience in the face of family changes.

The number of sessions planned for this group is 10, scheduled weekly, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. This duration allows sufficient time to build trust, introduce therapeutic activities, and address various emotional issues. The group will consist of 6 to 8 participants to maintain an intimate and manageable setting that promotes active participation and peer support. Smaller groups foster deeper connections among members and facilitate meaningful interaction.

The primary goals of this counseling group are to help children understand and express their feelings related to divorce, develop adaptive coping strategies, enhance emotional regulation, and foster resilience. The group aims to reduce feelings of guilt, anger, and abandonment often experienced by children in divorced families. Additionally, the group endeavors to promote healthy communication, strengthen self-esteem, and support children in navigating changes in family dynamics.

Research indicates that group therapy can be particularly effective for children coping with divorce because it provides peer support, normalizes their experiences, and promotes social skills development (Dunn & Munns, 2020). Furthermore, integrating evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques can help children reframe negative thoughts and develop healthier perspectives about their family situation (Kenny et al., 2019).

In designing this group, it is essential to create a safe, trusting environment where children feel comfortable sharing. The counselor will employ age-appropriate activities, including storytelling, role-playing, art therapy, and mindfulness exercises, to facilitate emotional expression and skill development. The group will also involve parents through periodic updates and advisories, ensuring a holistic approach to support the child's adjustment process.

In conclusion, a counseling group for children of divorce offers a vital intervention to help young individuals cope with family upheaval and foster resilience. By combining supportive peer interactions with targeted therapeutic strategies, this group can significantly improve children’s emotional health and resilience in the aftermath of divorce.

References

• Dunn, J., & Munns, G. (2020). Child and adolescent group therapy: Strategies and techniques. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(3), 245-257.
• Kenny, M., Conlon, A., & Gallagher, S. (2019). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for children experiencing parental divorce: An integrative review. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24(4), 820-834.
• Smith, L., & Jones, R. (2018). Effects of divorce on children's mental health: A systematic review. Journal of Family Studies, 24(2), 165-179.
• Williams, K., & Keller, T. (2021). Supporting children of divorce through counseling interventions. Child & Family Therapy Review, 20(2), 85-102.
• Brown, A., & Roberts, C. (2017). Group therapy approaches for children with family separation issues. Families in Therapy, 3(3), 330-344.