THE BROKEN BALLOON - A METAPHOR FOR DIVORCE

Ritual and metaphor are helpful when working with families of divorce whose children are exhibiting negative responses to the new reality of parental separation. A treatment approach using the symbol of the bro ken balloon is outlined. This approach marks the end of the marital un ion while focusing on the needs of the children and facilitating accep tance of the divorce. A case example is presented describing the steps and interventions in this approach.