Introduction the children’s divorce group model
Hanna Ristimäki and Reetta Toivonen
Hanna Ristimäki.
Children’s Support Experts in Parental Divorce, Finnish Association for Child and Family Guidance (Kasper – Kasvatus- ja perheneuvonta Ry)
The Finnish Association for Child and Family Guidance (Kasper – Kasvatus- ja perheneuvonta Ry) is a non-profit organization. In this presentation, we will introduce the children’s divorce group model and explain how it supports children and their wellbeing.
Reetta Toivonen.
Divorce groups provide peer support for children whose parents are separated. In the group, children can process the changes caused by the parents' separation and it gives children possibility to explore their own feelings and thoughts in difficult circumstances and endorses child's resilience. They learn coping skills through creative activities and by talking together with peers and trained group leaders. The children report it makes them feel better.
By this presentation we will bring out that working with children gives more perspective to professionals. We believe that working directly with children is a effective way to find out what is the best interest of the child.