63rd Annual Conference
Friday, February
24
Morning Open
Sessions
10:00 A.M.-1:15
P.M.
Session
308
Distressed But Not Doomed: Risk and Resilience in Children of
Divorce and the Role of Group Psychotherapy
Chair:
Geraldine
Alpert, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, Associate
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California School of
Medicine, San Francisco, California
Panelists:
Linda Lasin
Eisnitz, MFT,
Founding Director, Kids Turn, Sonoma County, California
Joan Kelly,
Ph.D., Founder and Former Executive
Director, Northern California Mediation Center, Corta Madera,
California
Beth Miller,
Ph.D.,
Adjunct Faculty, UCSF School of Medicine, San
Francisco, California
Andrew Pojman,
Ed.D., CGP,
Adjunct Faculty, Graduate School of Professional
Psychology, JFK University, Orinda, California
While divorce is
unquestionably traumatic in many ways for the children involved,
controlled research studies show that the majority of children
survive without enduring psychological damage. This panel will
explore the factors contributing to both risk and resilience, and
the role of group psychotherapy in increasing the likelihood of
healthy adaptation.
Learning
Objectives:
The attendee will
be able to:
1. Distinguish
between conclusions about Children of Divorce based on compelling
clinical impressions (clinician evaluations) versus conclusions
based on quantitative research comparing the target population with
appropriate control groups.
2. Identify
factors which contribute to increased risk versus increased
resilience for Children of Divorce.
3. Summarize types
of group treatment that appear to be promising in increasing
resilience in Children of Divorce.
4. List specific
leader interventions that can help to increase resilience even in
groups that are not designed specifically for children of divorce.
Course References:
1. Wallerstein,
J., & Kelly, J. (1980).
Surviving the Breakup: How children and parents cope with divorce.
New York: Basic Books.
2. Kelly, J., &
Emery, R. (2003). Children's Adjustment Following Divorce: Risk and
resilience perspectives. Family Relations, 52, 352-356.
3. Miller, B.
(2005)
The Women's Book of Resilience: 12 qualities to be cultivated.
Conari Books. |
