Supporting Students Impacted by Divorce & Separation
COURSE DATE
27 Feb 2023 (9 am to 5 pm)
Course Fee
Normal Fees: S$580
SkillsFuture Credit: Can use fully or partially
NTUC UTAP: Reimbursement of 50% of course fees (up to $250/year)
NCSS VCF Pre- Approval Funding: $174
Schools & Ministries: e-invoicing via vendor.gov
Delivery Mode
In-Person. Classroom
about the trainer
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Ms Sylvia Tan is a registered Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor. She earned her Master of Psychology (Counselling) degree from Australia in 2002. In all, Sylvia has 17 years of clinical experience working as a psychologist in outpatient psychiatric clinics, community and government agencies both in Australia and Singapore. She has seen adults, adolescents and children with mental health difficulties such as depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, trauma, complex trauma, psychosis or personality difficulties. She has also worked with couples and families undergoing martial difficulties, divorce and separation. Also, Sylvia has 10 years experience in divorce and child custody related matters . She previously worked in the Family Justice Courts and the Community Psychology Hub as the lead psychologist and clinical supervisor for child custody evaluation reports. She was a clinical supervisor for psychologists working in the Divorce Specialist Support Agencies (DSSAs), dealing with complex cases of parental alienation and child access problems. |
What participants say
My key takeaways are (1) understanding the dynamics of divorce, and (2) impact on parents, extended families, children and adolescents - Student Welfare Officer in a local school
In my setting in the Crisis Shelter, I like the Child Interview Tools and how to talk to the child about the parents' separation. I also learned that the brain of the child below 5 years old will pick up a lot especially their experience of abuse or violence - the prolong stress does affect their brains - Social Worker in a social service agency
I will use the information on protective factors and impact of divorce on children to psychoeducate parents who are undergoing divorce. Also, i will definitely use some of the engagement tools to check in with children on how they are impacted by divorce and then, importantly, feedback to parents to enhance parental support for children - Social Worker in a social service agency
When I return to the office, I will try to incorporate, eg, Bear Cards and drawing Bag of Worries when working with the children to help them process their feelings, and help them to understand what they are going through when the parents separate - Social Worker in a social service agency
In my setting in the Crisis Shelter, I like the Child Interview Tools and how to talk to the child about the parents' separation. I also learned that the brain of the child below 5 years old will pick up a lot especially their experience of abuse or violence - the prolong stress does affect their brains - Social Worker in a social service agency
I will use the information on protective factors and impact of divorce on children to psychoeducate parents who are undergoing divorce. Also, i will definitely use some of the engagement tools to check in with children on how they are impacted by divorce and then, importantly, feedback to parents to enhance parental support for children - Social Worker in a social service agency
When I return to the office, I will try to incorporate, eg, Bear Cards and drawing Bag of Worries when working with the children to help them process their feelings, and help them to understand what they are going through when the parents separate - Social Worker in a social service agency
Course Overview
Divorce is on the rise around the world. As the number of divorce cases rises, the number of affected children and adolescents consequently increases. Divorce and separation are very stressful and traumatic experiences, and it can have long-lasting impact on the physical as well as mental health of children. Undesirable behaviours in the school and community are, in many cases, expressions of unresolved emotions towards such family disturbances. As a teacher, social worker, counsellor/psychologist or parent, what can be done to support such children and adolescents?
This workshop is designed for Helping Professionals regardless whether they have psychological knowledge and background or not. This course is anchored on one key premise: The affected child still lives within a community of stakeholders. Any MEANINGFUL help rendered must consider his interaction with his environment, including parents and other professionals (such as child protection officer, court and lawyers).
In Part 1 of this workshop, you will learn the dynamics of divorce including the potential complexities surrounding it. It discusses possible impacts of a divorce on children/adolescents as well as the parents and extended family. The short- and long-term effects including inter-generational trauma are explained. Risk and protective factors in children and adolescents are discussed.
Working with families affected by divorce has its challenges. Part 2 highlights challenges that you, as the Helping Professional, may face. Importantly, participants will be taught practical tools how to prevent yourself from being triangulated in the parents’ acrimony. Part 2 will also equip participants with practical intervention skills to help the affected child/adolescent. You will also learn how to engage the parents meaningfully with the child in focus. Finally, you learn how to collaborate with other stakeholders in order to alleviate the impact on the child.
This practical workshop is delivered in a multi-modal format including immersive and experiential training via role-play, case studies, peer activities, and observation in addition to traditional teaching strategies.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for participants with or without psychological background. It is suitable for:
Duration
9 am to 5 pm
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: Understanding Impact of Divorce and Separation
(a) Understanding the dynamics of divorce
(b) How divorce impact on parents and extended families
(c) How divorce impact on children of different age groups
(d) Protective factors
Part 2: Intervention Skills to Support Children and Adolescents Affected by Divorce
(a) Challenges
(b) How to plan intervention for parents
(c) Child Inclusive Counselling and Mediation
(d) Collaborating with other professionals
(e) Best practice guidelines
Divorce is on the rise around the world. As the number of divorce cases rises, the number of affected children and adolescents consequently increases. Divorce and separation are very stressful and traumatic experiences, and it can have long-lasting impact on the physical as well as mental health of children. Undesirable behaviours in the school and community are, in many cases, expressions of unresolved emotions towards such family disturbances. As a teacher, social worker, counsellor/psychologist or parent, what can be done to support such children and adolescents?
This workshop is designed for Helping Professionals regardless whether they have psychological knowledge and background or not. This course is anchored on one key premise: The affected child still lives within a community of stakeholders. Any MEANINGFUL help rendered must consider his interaction with his environment, including parents and other professionals (such as child protection officer, court and lawyers).
In Part 1 of this workshop, you will learn the dynamics of divorce including the potential complexities surrounding it. It discusses possible impacts of a divorce on children/adolescents as well as the parents and extended family. The short- and long-term effects including inter-generational trauma are explained. Risk and protective factors in children and adolescents are discussed.
Working with families affected by divorce has its challenges. Part 2 highlights challenges that you, as the Helping Professional, may face. Importantly, participants will be taught practical tools how to prevent yourself from being triangulated in the parents’ acrimony. Part 2 will also equip participants with practical intervention skills to help the affected child/adolescent. You will also learn how to engage the parents meaningfully with the child in focus. Finally, you learn how to collaborate with other stakeholders in order to alleviate the impact on the child.
This practical workshop is delivered in a multi-modal format including immersive and experiential training via role-play, case studies, peer activities, and observation in addition to traditional teaching strategies.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for participants with or without psychological background. It is suitable for:
- Social workers, Counsellors and Psychologists working in VWOs
- Primary, secondary and tertiary school counsellors, AEDs & psychologists
- Mainstream school educators, Management and Student mentors
- Special education teachers, Management
- Medical Social Workers working in hospitals and medical institutions
- Pastoral care staff
- Psychologists and counsellors in private practice
Duration
9 am to 5 pm
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: Understanding Impact of Divorce and Separation
(a) Understanding the dynamics of divorce
- Amicable vs High Conflict Divorce
- The psychological stages of divorce
- Therapeutic Justice (TJ) and your role in TJ
- Complex issues relating to divorce
- Families with young children
- Poor parenting capacity
- Family violence
- Transnational marriages
- Child abuse
- Mental health
- Poor co-parenting
(b) How divorce impact on parents and extended families
- Mental health and parenting issues
- Co parenting difficulties
(c) How divorce impact on children of different age groups
- Mental health, self esteem and identity
- Relationships with their parents, extended families and peers
- School and academic achievements
- Short- and long-term effect (including inter-generational trauma)
(d) Protective factors
Part 2: Intervention Skills to Support Children and Adolescents Affected by Divorce
(a) Challenges
- Difficulties faced when working with children
- Heavily triangulated children
- Fear of taking sides
- Traumatised children
- Difficulties when working with parents
- Differing truths
- Being triangulated into the acrimony of the divorce
(b) How to plan intervention for parents
- Psychoeducation
- Co-parenting
(c) Child Inclusive Counselling and Mediation
- Intake process
- Child interview
- Child interview tools
(d) Collaborating with other professionals
- Why collaborate with other professionals (eg lawyers, court, child protective services)?
- What does collaboration with other professionals involve?
(e) Best practice guidelines
