Thousands of kids experience the stress of divorce each year. How they react depends on their age, personality, and the circumstances of the separation and divorce process between the parents. Every divorce will affect the kids involved — and many times the initial reaction is one of shock, sadness, frustration, anger, or worry. It can be difficult for kids to put their feelings into words.  Although many youngsters are able to negotiate the life changes set in motion by their parents’ divorce,  research evidence indicates that a substantial amount of children suffer negative emotions even years after their parents have separated.

Changes of any kind are hard — know that you and your kids can and will adjust to this one. Finding your inner strength and getting help to learn new coping skills are hard work, but can make a big difference to helping your family get through this difficult time.

Change can be very difficult for everyone but especially Children, since they don’t truly understand why this “Change” has happened. Group sessions focus on these commonly occurring stressors, normalize children’s reactions to them, acknowledge and articulate painful feelings and conflicts, and offer coping strategies to deal more effectively with them.

“Children Experiencing Change” is an 8 Week Group Therapy for Children facing Change within the Family. Our Groups are divided into Groups of 8-11 year olds (Elementary) and 12-15 year olds (Middle School). We keep the Groups small with 6 – 8 participants as to establish trust amongst its participants. Each Group is 8 weeks, each session is 90 minutes long and will cover the following topics:

• Sharing openly in a safe environment about family changes
• Encouraging and recognizing the expression of feelings
• Learning to offer support to one another
• Establishing that children are not to blame for adult situations
• Helping children identify the trustworthy adults in their lives
• Aiding children in coping with change in healthy ways
• Acknowledging and teaching about feelings of grief and loss

The benefit of this Group is the development of individuals becoming capable of applying new coping skills (techniques) at home and school when they feel overwhelmed by emotion but are unable to express those feelings, which may come out in a negative manner. When divorce/separation/loss/parent abandonment/family drug or alcohol abuse is discussed amongst peers, children/adolescents begin to feel less shameful or alone. Being able to talk about their struggles and hear others struggling with the same can take away some of the negativity or anger they may feel regarding the situation.

COST: $250 for 8 Sessions

WHO: 8-11 Year Olds (Elementary)
WHEN: Call for next dates

WHO: 12-15 Year Olds (Middle School)
WHEN: Call for next dates

WHERE: BayBrooke Center
4995 49th Street N
St Petersburg, FL  33709

HOW: Call 727.827.7890
Space is limited and Payment in Full is due at time of Registration