Treatment Plan- Separation/Divorce Group
Population and Demographics of group
The group has a common problem of separation and divorce, and it is made up of eight adults with their ages ranging between 30-42 years. It comprises of both male and females who have formally divorced recently or are in the process of separation. Every group member has at least one child with their divorcing partners. All members are suffering from depression, with four members being clinically confirmed, and the other four showing signs and symptoms of depression. The members have either moved out to seek separate living arrangement or are in the process of moving out, some members are still going through the divorce process, and they are all suffering depression as a result of broken relationships. There will be an eight-session meeting over eight weeks with two sessions attending to one goal. A single goal will be handled in two weeks preceding each other. Each meeting sessions take about one hour.
Problem Selection
Primary problem: Separate/Divorce
Secondary problem: Depression
Problem Definition
Separation/Divorce
Members have their marriage broke, which has a significant impact on their life. All members have reported that a dilemma is dealing with feelings of anger, fear, and hurt. They are facing life separately, as single parents are challenging. Also, they do not know how to best deal with children, and they fear they will suffer alongside them. Members reported that they are fighting a spiritual battle, having been married in holy matrimony. Most members are struggling with court proceedings due to issues of children’s custody.
Depression
Separation/divorce may lead to grief. Many people who suffer grief may end up suffering from clinical depression. Four members reported suffering from clinical depression. The other four members reported signs and symptoms of depression, including low self-esteem. All member s reported significant changes in sleep patterns, loss of appetite, and lack of concentration. Most members have lost pleasure in activities that remind them if their former partners.
Goal Development
Week 1 and 2: Hep members resolve the initial turmoil and confusion of separation/divorce.
Week 3 and 4: Help members to cope with the losses suffered as a result of separation/ divorce.
Week 5 and 6: Help members replace dysfunctional and harmful cognition that leads to depression with positive and healthy cognition that counters depression.
Week 7 and 8: Help members to grief the loss comprehensively and facilitate future cooperation.
Week one: Help members resolve the initial turmoil and confusion of separation/divorce
| Objectives | Therapeutic Intervention |
| Any stress related to separation/ divorce will be expressed at this stage | · Each member describes their stressful moments caused by the divorce that lead to their participation in the group. · Members are encouraged to be honestly express their feelings caused by divorce.
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| Describe the relationships with former partners and the factors leading to divorce/ separations | · Members are encouraged to share with the group the developments of their relationships. · The psychologist should encourage members should show empathic support to each other and try and relate their experiences to those of fellow members. |
| Identify the depression symptoms of each member. | · Evoke and develop a list of depression symptoms of each member, including thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. · Teach the members to present a specific interpretation of events to the listeners to help them think hence provoking their feelings. |
Week two: Help members resolve the initial turmoil and confusion of separation/divorce
| Objectives | Therapeutic Intervention |
| Members will express the impact the divorce/separation has had on children, social and personal life, and their relationship with the family. | · As a psychologist, I will aid the members in exploring the impact of divorce on their children, social and personal activities, and relationship with their family members. · Encourage the member to demonstrate empathic support towards each other by encouraging them to relate their stories with those of other members. |
| To explore together with the members the spiritual, cultural, and religious meaning of divorce/ separations and its ramification. | · Help the members explore the meaning of divorce to religion and culture. · It was facilitated a discussion of possible ramifications of divorce to the spiritual, cultural, and religious perspectives of the members. |
| Members should express their commitments to being sensitive to the children’s welfare during the adjustment period. | · Help the members to express their commitment to upholding children’s best interests during the divorce period. · Make sure the members understand the impact of divorce on children and how to handle the adjustment best. |
Week 3: Help members replace dysfunctional and harmful cognition that leads to depression with positive and healthy cognition that counters depression.
| Objectives | Therapeutic intervention |
| Help to identify the negative cognition that leads to depression, guilt, and anxiety | · Help the members in changing from negative to positive thoughts and self acclamation. · Assist members in identifying their negative cognitions
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| Develop strategies of how members will cope with the disapproval of the divorce | · Help explore the possible reaction from friends and family on hearing the news of their divorce. · Help the group learn on the applications of the strategies in case of disapproval. |
| Help the members identify the significant stages of emotional recovery. | · Evoke the emotions of the members to help identify their recovery stage · Help the group understand the stages of emotional recovery. |
Week 4: Help members replace dysfunctional and harmful cognition that leads to depression with positive and healthy cognition that counters depression.
| Objectives | Therapeutic Intervention |
| Help the members identify the thoughts that lead to depression | · Advocate that members should always pay attention to their thoughts and identify the most recurring thoughts · Help the members understand their thoughts that are likely to lead to depression |
| Help the members decrease depression by use of depression reducing techniques | · Help the members practice meditation and encourage them to practice regularly · Review the progress of the members in reducing depression through depression reducing techniques |
| Help the members express their acceptance of their new identity in the society | · Help the members understand that their identity in the society will change after the divorce · Help the members express their feeling and perception of their new identity. |
Reference
Paleg, K., & Jongsma, Jr, A. E. (2011). The group therapy treatment planner (Vol. 191). John Wiley & Sons.