Divorce Therapy

Recommended Prerequisites

It is recommended to attend with approval the following u.c. of the 1st cycle of studies: Family Psychology (optional) and Clinical and Health Psychology. The student should have good knowledge of English language (reading) considering that many bibliographical references are in English.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical teaching using expository methods, discussion of specific readings and clinical materials (e.g. vignettes, videos) articulated with active methods (e.g., role-playing, sculptures) for training the application of techniques and and specific intervention tools.

Learning Outcomes

In a context of growing demand for training in divorce therapy and the growing demand for psychotherapeutic support in separation/divorce processes, the objectives of this theoretical and practical teaching course are the acquisition of skills in understanding the divorce process and intervention with couples in break-up, through training and critical reflection.

Skills - by the end of this course the student will be able to:

- know the main theoretical models on the divorce process

- develop skills for clinical assessment of divorce strengths and risks

- be familiar with the main models of Divorce Therapy

- recognize the specificities of this modality of systemic intervention, in terms of comprehensive readings and clinical intervention

- be aware of the current importance of research in the area

- identify interdisciplinary issues on this theme

- be aware and have notice of the particular challenges of post-divorce

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction

1. The divorce as a transition; vulnerable family dimensions; a) clinical vs. judicial approach to divorce; b) contextualizing; stages of the rupture process and stress points; c) theoretical models of the divorce process (Wiseman; Bohannan, Kessler; Guttmann); d) effects of break-up (adults, children and network; threats to coparenting); e) adjustment and traumatic divorce predictors.

2. Divorce Therapy: a) definition; a portrait of Divorce Therapy in Portugal; b) Divorce Therapy vs. Couple Therapy vs. Family Mediation ; c) (counter)indications for Divorce Therapy; d) ethical and deontological issues; e) Divorce Therapy models (principles, objectives, phases and process); f) Divorce Therapy just with an individual; g) relevant empirical research - evidences, limitations and futures directions.

3. Post divorce and remarriage.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Madalena Santos Torres Veiga Carvalho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Performance of a individual work in which the student critically and theoretically analyzes a scientific article: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Bibliography

Adams, J. (2007). Divorce Therapy in Context. Journal Of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 6 (1-2), 109-123.

Alba‐Fisch, M. (2016). Collaborative Divorce: An Effort to Reduce the Damage of Divorce. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72 (5), 444-457.

Cohen, O., & Levite, Z. (2011). High-conflict divorced couples: combining systemic and psychodynamic perspectives. Journal Of Family Therapy, 34(4), 387-402.

Haddad, L.; Phillips, K., & Bone, M. (2016). High-Conflict Divorce: A Review of the Literature. American Journal of Family Law, 29 (4),243-258.

Nurse, A. R., & Thompson, P. (2009).Collaborative Divorce: A Family-Centered Process. In J. H. Bray,& Mark Stanton (Eds),The Wiley-Blackwe Handbook of Family Psychology.

Sprenkle, D. (2014). (Ed.) Divorce Therapy. Routledge

Textor, M. (2005). The Divorce and Divorce Therapy Handbook. Rowman & Little Ed.

Zimmerman, J. (2016).Divorce: Using Psychologists' Skills for Transformation and Conflict Reduction. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(5): 423-429.