Joan Delores Atwood, Ph.D.
MFT 239
3 s.h.
Spring Semester
e-mail: CPRJDA@Hofstra.Edu
phone: 516-463-5756
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the
emotional reactions of separating, divorcing and families suffering a loss
through death of a member. Relevant theories of separation and divorce are
considered, along with incidences and sociocultural information. Emotional responses, identity change,
responses of children and family and structural changes are discussed, along
with the appropriate treatment approaches.
Also considered are familial grief responses and short term crisis
interventions with families.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this
course are to familiarize the student with divorce from a social,
psychological, and family therapy perspective,
to explore the emotional reactions of
persons experiencing separation, divorce, and death of a family
member, to present the different
theoretical positions around the issues of divorce and death, to examine the
research findings, and to explore the different social and psychological
reactions to both. The theoretical as well as the applied or practical aspects
of the field are emphasized.
When the student has
successfully completed the course, s/he can be expected to:
·
be familiar with the
social, psychological, familial, and sexual aspects of divorce and widowhood
·
be abreast of the
differences between divorce and death of a spouse
·
be exposed to the
different emotional reactions in terms of the stages of adjustment to divorce
and the stages of grieving
·
be introduced to the
research in the field as well as the methodological issues associated with the
research
·
be exposed to the
different therapeutic approaches to each stage of the divorce process and the
grieving process
·
be aware of
importance of assessment at each stage
·
continue to learn
about the role of the therapist