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Divorce Support Groups and Workshops
If you are interested in finding out more about any of the groups or
workshops, please see our events page or
contact:
Michele Diamond, LICSW
Phone: 508-358-4455
Email: michele@divorcestep.com
Divorce Support Groups
One of the losses commonly associated with divorce is the loss of friends
and extended family. Whether or not you wanted the divorce, the transition
between living with your spouse to living without him/her, can be a very
lonely period. If you're also feeling depressed during this time, reaching
out to make new friends, or even contacting old ones, can feel like it takes
just too much energy. A divorce support group provides a ready made network
of other people who understand what you're going through and want to help.
How Divorce Support Groups Work
Group members contract for 6 weekly 90-minute meetings with an option
to re-contract for another 6 weeks. The focus of the groups is on letting
go of the past in order to move forward to a happy future. Membership
is limited to 6 people so that everyone is assured ample time to participate.
Stepparent Support Groups
You should be happy, right? You've gotten re-married (or perhaps married
for the first time to someone with children from a previous relationship)
and have a whole new ready-made family. Unfortunately, people are often
unprepared for the very predictable problems that arise when combining
2 families. Perhaps you don't feel supported by your new spouse in dealing
with your stepchildren or your stepchildren act like they wish you were
never born and there are even times when you wish that the stepchildren
were never born! These are very normal issues that stepparents encounter.
Talking with others in similar situations can be a great relief and provide
wonderful strategies for dealing with the everyday stresses of stepfamily
life.
How Stepparent Support Groups Work
Members of stepparent support groups meet twice a month for a four month
period, a total of eight 90 minute meetings. Members are asked to contract
for 4 sessions at a time. Group size is limited to 8 people or 4 couples.
Both members of the couple are highly encouraged to attend, however
if this is not possible, just one may attend.
Adult Workshops
Workshops are held periodically, usually for approximately 2 hours on
a variety of subjects. Workshops are interactive and based on a specific
topic such as getting along with your ex, getting along with your new spouse's
ex, preparing for an significant life event when divorced, etc. See our
events page for information regarding current workshops.
Kids Groups & Kids Workshops
Children often worry and think that their parent's are the only ones who
have gotten divorced and/or remarried or they aren't sure how to tell other
children about the changes in their family. They may also be reluctant to
talk to their parents about it for fear of upsetting them. Fun, activity
based groups for children of similar ages serve as a great relief for kids
to find out that they're not alone and that their feelings are normal. They
are encouraged to talk with their parents about their feelings and are given
helpful tools that will make it easier for them to do so.
How Kids Groups & Workshops Work
Children from both divorced (or divorcing) families, as well as stepfamilies,
meet together in either workshops or groups. Workshops meet for 2 Saturdays
in a row, 2 hours each week for a total of 4 hours. In this short period
of time, children that are reasonally well adjusted to the changes in
the family learn that they are not alone, are given the opportunity
to express a range of feelings about what they are going through and
learn some some tools to express these feelings. After children complete
the workshop, an appointment is scheduled with the child's parent(s)
so that the group leader can be helpful to the parent in addressing
any concerns or questions that they have regarding their child's adjustment.
Children's groups follow the popular "Rollercoaster's Program"
and meet weekly for 8 weeks , an hour each week, after school. Parents
are invited to attend the group with their child during the final meeting.
The program utilizes discussions, games, role-plays and artwork to help
children cope with feelings of loss, manage anger and improve self-esteem.
Regardless of whether the child has reacted strongly or mildly from
the changes in the family, they can benefit from this experience. Call
to find out more about what's best for your child.
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Comments from
Support Group Participants
"…And I guess I wanted to tell all of you that you're not just
5 people I see once a week in a support group…you are 5 of the most
caring and supportive friends. I want to thank everyone for your support…"
"Michele-Thank you for leading such a wonderful group. It has been
remarkably helpful to me and I greatly appreciate the group and your insights
during this extraordinarily difficult time…"
"Michele- Thank you for everything....the money I've spent on the
group and the babysitters required to get there is the best money I've
ever spent. YOU should be getting $375 an hour, not my lawyer!!!"
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