Chain reaction - Ofra Ayalon

Statistics indicate that by 1992 one in every three children under the age of 18 will have divorced parents. Recent research has shown that the effects of divorce on both children and parents follow a longitudinal pattern, with various forms of crises occurring before, during and long after the actual divorce takes place. Based on the multimodal method of therapy, this book discusses and develops various processes of intervention with the aim of minimizing the negative long and short term behavioural, cognitive and psychological consequences that divorce frequently produces in the children involved.;This approach involves first identifying the problem stage that the child is at, and then utilizing effective intervention strategies in order to help both them and their families cope. A number of methods are developed, such as literatherapy and storytelling, play-therapy, and art-therapy, which can be used either in groups or with individuals as well as in combined groups of both parents and children, and which are illustrated and supported by case-studies. In addition to identifying and suggesting ways of dealing with the stress produced in children as a reaction to divorce, the text also examines the function of counsellors, therapists, teachers, psychologists and parents in aiding children and their families to cope.