Working with Children and Parents through Separation and Divorce

'..divorce is a more common occurrence than ever before and it is heartening to see a book which, while amplifying the voice of the child, takes into account the effects of this painful process on all those involved. Dowling and Gorrell Barnes are well known in the family systems field and have produced a thorough book that combines research with clinical and practical approaches...this brief but comprehensive book is an excellent resource for all frontline workers in this area.' - Anne Bannister, Community Care '...a thorough book that combines research with clinical and practical approaches... this brief but comprehensive book is an excellent resources for all frontline workers in this area.' - Ged Smith, Community Care 'Almost every family therapist would find that a substantial proportion of their cases have been influenced by separation, divorce and reformation. The book by Gill Gorell Barnes and Emilia Dowling will prove to be a key text for all practitioners and trainees in family therapy, counselling and social work...This book makes an important contribution by linking family therapy (as well as counselling in general) with the body of substantial research in this area...As well, it is immensely practical. It is clearly written without unnecessary jargon or technical language and is a thorough overview of this topic...this book has broad applicability to all areas of practice within the human services. It should be on the reading list for every trainee in family therapy and counselling, and should be recommended reading for all practitioners.' - Bruce Hart, The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy

This text combines research, clinical and practical approaches to working with children and parents going through stressful changes linked to separation or divorce. A focused approach to divorce related problems, taking each family member's views into account, is illustrated.Supporting children and families through separation and divorce is a major area of concern in contemporary society. However, it is sometimes hard for those professionals who are helping families to hear the `voice' of the child in this process. Writing from their wide experience as clinicians working with children and families, Emilia Dowling and Gill Gorell Barnes set out in this book to address this gap, and allow the child to be heard.
Working with Children and Parents through Separation and Divorce combines research with clinical and practical approaches to working with families going through stressful changes linked to separation or divorce. Attention is given to the wider context of children's lives with the implications for general practice, schools and other services addressed in special chapters. A focused approach to divorce related problems that takes each family member's view into account is illustrated. Combining individual and family work helps parents to resolve difficulties, enabling children troubled by parental separation to progress with their own lives.
This book is essential reading for `front line' professionals as well as specialists who encounter children and families going through this life transition in the course of their work.