A THERAPEUTIC MODEL TO ENHANCE CHILDRENS ADJUSTMENT TO DIVORCE - A CASE EXAMPLE

Research has revealed many detrimental effects of divorce upon childre n often related to ongoing conflict between biological parents. A ther apeutic model, demonstrated by a case example, is presented which targ ets the conflict between divorced parents. This therapeutic approach i s based upon negotiating cooperation among custodial and non-custodial parents. This is accomplished by clarifying the changed relationships resulting from divorce between the adults and children allowing all m embers of the divorced families to grieve the loss of predivorce relat ionships. Distinct new relationships are defined between all family me mbers which reduce the need for adults to compete in relationships wit h the children.