Divorce Support Groups
Local and Online Divorce Groups Offer Guidance and Encouragement
Sep 21, 2009
When a relationship ends, individuals have a number of therapy, counseling and support options to help them through what may be one of the most difficult transitions they will ever face. Divorce groups, whether offered by professionals or member-run, are one type of support in divorce with several benefits.
The Benefits of Divorce Support Groups
In How to Find a Divorce Support Group for Divorce Magazine, Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D., lists several of the physical and psychological benefits of divorce support groups:
- Advocacy and advice on a participant's rights during divorce
- An opportunity to exchange useful, practical information
- Being with others who understand the painful process and isolation of divorce
- Potential health benefits such as a strengthened immune system
- The opportunity to heal faster by helping others in the process
Support for divorce issues might include legal advice, religious counseling, or even anger management or self esteem workshops. The type of assistance needed varies widely from person to person. Divorce groups can be used alongside other methods to cope and heal while building a network of supportive people to help fill the void often left when friendships and former family relationships are lost in the divorce.
How to Find a Local Divorce Group
Divorce groups are operated by licensed professionals, religious organizations, hospitals, or groups of divorced individuals. Some are co-ed, while others are restricted to men or women only. Check the Yellow Pages under Therapy, Divorce or Counseling. Or, call a local health or counseling professional and ask for a recommendation.
Visit the Divorce Magazine resource page, with supports for a better life after divorce ranging from mediators to support groups to lawyers, organized by state or province.
Where to Find Online Divorce Support Groups and Divorce Forums
Online support group members should take special care to share their experience without revealing identifying personal information to other online users.
Search Yahoo or Google for access to hundreds of online divorce support groups. Choose a group based on:
- The group's philosophy and positive or negative atmosphere
- Personal level of comfort with discussion topics
- A suitable level of group activity
- The ability to protect personal information and chat with other users in private, if needed.
Divorce Support Groups Can Be Part of the Journey to Life After Divorce
Divorce is undoubtedly a traumatic, potentially devastating life event. However, it is one that people recover from every day, often with the support of others.
Visit Suite101.com's Divorce web page for more helpful articles and divorce resources from social worker/Feature Writer Christina Gregoire and others.
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