Support Groups for Divorce
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Support Groups for Divorce
Jan 2012
I have recently separated from my husband and would like to find a support
group - for those newly separated/divorcing. I'd also like to find a separate
group for my kids (I have 2 tweens). So far, things have been amicable, but I
want to make sure that my kids and myself work through this emotional process.
Private therapy is too expensive, unfortunately. Plus, I'd rather be in a
group setting where I can share and participate, and hopefully learn through
others' experience, as they learn from mine. Any suggestions are much
appreciated. Still Processing
Rachel Walker, MFT, is a wonderful therapist who works with women going
through divorce. I believe she has ongoing groups that take place in her
South Berkeley office. Contact her at www.rachelwalkermft.com. Good luck.
Nov 2012
I am a professional woman in my early 40s with baby #2 due any day now.
About two months ago, my husband announced he wanted a divorce. He has
it all planned out - he expects me to buy a house in a better school
district (which I can't afford) and move out within 6 months of the
birth.
I was caught off guard- we have had problems, been in couples
counseling, but nothing so serious that I ever dreamed he would abandon
me (especially being pregnant). The reality of the situation is just
starting to sink in.
Since his ''announcement'', he acts like he is single - going out at
night, doing his own thing. I strongly suspect he is having an affair
with a long-time friend (he denies it, but says they are best friends).
He also has not been very involved in a complicated and stressful
pregnancy.
This is an incredibly difficult and lonely situation for me. I have
limited social and family support. I have a therapist.
I am trying to find a women's support group, but am not sure where to
start. I am looking for something that is maybe a single mom's group, a
group for separating women who are mom's, but not a typical mom's group
that just focuses on parenting issues. I searched around the web and
did not find anything. Anon
I am so sorry to hear about your current circumstances, and
agree it can be so helpful to meet and talk with other
mothers of young children to process what is going on in
oneself, how to go about making the many decisions that are
in front of you, and how to move forward. I offer support
groups for divorcing/divorced mothers and a new series is
starting soon. People have kindly recommended me in past,
and you can find reviews by searching for my full name on
the BPN website. Feel free to contact me:
www.yvonnemansell.com, (510) 528-9551.
Yvonne Mansell, MFT, yvonne@yvonnemansell.com
Rachel Walker in Berkeley runs support groups for women
going through separation and divorce. The groups have been
a life saver for me.
Her number is 510) 501-2936
I am sorry you are going through this.
feeling better after a year of support group
August 2010
I'm interested in a group for people that have been divorced
for a while, but still want support and relationship help.
I'm over the worst of the divorce itself, but would like a
place to meet others who are in a similar stage. Any
suggestions?
anonymous
I am a member in a divorce support group with Yvonne Mansell,
MFT. We are all in different stages (I am many years
post-divorce but have a particularly difficult ex), some are
newly divorced and just working through initial child custody
arrangements. It is a terrific thing to have a group of women
who truly understand the myriad of issues that surround
split-household culture; single parenting, kids living in very
different households with different rules/cultures, dating,
negotiating with unreasonable ex-spouses, court/mediation, etc.
on top of basic parenting challenges, with a skillful,
understated facilitator grounded in Buddhist principles of
mindfulness. Fabulous. Check out her website:
www.yvonnemansell.com or call her at 510-528-9551. Best of luck
to you.
Happily divorced mom
Jan 2010
Does anyone have advice about how to get support as a parent
going through divorce? I have a dear friend who is
particularly interested meeting up with others going through
a similar transition, and finding out what's available right
now in the East Bay. Thanks!
A concerned friend
I just joined group therapy for women going through
separation and divorce. New members can join the group
until Feb 16th. It meets in Berkeley. The facilitator,
Rachel Walker is an MFT and can be reached at (510)501-2936.
I hope this is helpful to your friend.
Anon
Here is the website for the program at Lafayette Orinda
Church. It is not religious and is an excellent program.
http://www.lopc.org/singles_divorce_recovery.asp
been there
How kind of you to ask this question for your friend. I
offer such a group, and am just starting a new one for
parents who co-parent in some fashion. Issues we discuss
are: adjusting to this major transition for oneself and
child(ren), dealing with co-parenting challenges, creating a
new social network for oneself and child(ren), and giving
and receiving mutual support and understanding. Groups
usually meet every other week in a series of 8, with the
possibility of renewing. Having facilitated therapeutic
support groups for almost 20 years, and parenting groups for
the last 7 years, I value creating a safe space for
expression, and for connection to develop. Feel free to
contact me for further information. www.yvonnemansell.com,
510-528-9551.
Yvonne Mansell, MFT
Feb 2007
I need help finding support groups for going through a divorce.
The most recent advice I could find was dated back in 2003.
I am a newly single mom going through a messy divorce and would
like to find other parents in a similar situation for support.
Thanks
Depressed mom
It's been a few years, but I'm almost certain they will still have an ongoing divorce
support group at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC) in Lafayette. I'm
sorry I don't have the phone number or web site, but I'm sure you can easily find them.
In addition to divorce-support, there is also a single-parenting support group there,
which I found extremely helpful. Good luck.
Linda
Dec 2006
Hi. I am looking for a support group to help me through the
throes of divorce. I know
of Kidsturn, but I'm wondering if there's anything else out there
focused on the adult.
Thanks!
anon
There is a divorce support group and a weekly group for single parents support at the
Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. I don't have the phone number, but
I'm sure if you google and call the church, they will have the number to call.
anonymous
Sept 2004
I have an eight year old daughter and share custody with her
father, who I divorced 6 years ago. Since then, it has been
extremely difficult to co-parent -- a fact complicated by his
remarriage to a woman with 2 grown children, the recent advent of
a new baby and the fact that despite all these hopeful things,
there appears to be residual hostility on his part. Each little
thing has become a major nightmare and the unpleasantness cannot
but be affecting my daughter. Most recent spate of problems has
involved very different views on afterschool enrichment
activities. We have 50% custody each, but since the step-mother
is a full time housewife, my daughter is actually not spending
time with her father, but with her step-mother, who I do not
regard as a particularly inspiring role model.
Is there a ''divorced parents'' support group where one might seek
advice and get a regular ''reality check?'' If not, I'd love to
start one -- hopefully a small one that might be right for
academic single mothers whose ''full time jobs'' are actually a lot
more than that, even.
seeking help
I've been hearing good things about a workshop series for divorced and
separated families called Kids' Turn. Parents go and kids go; kids go off
with other kids, and the parents separate and go off in other groups. It's
a way of sharing and talking about feelings and puzzling through some
things. Here is the website:
http://www.kidsturn.org/parents/workshop.htm
I haven't acted on this yet, so if you go, I'd be curious to hear your opinion.
john
Sept 2003
I am undergoing a divorce and am extremely stressed and
depressed. I have a 3 & 5 yr old and find that I am screaming at
them more frequently. Does anyone know of any divorce support
groups in the east bay and a good therapist specializing in
divorce?
thanks
The Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church had a very active
divorce workshop about 12 years ago when I was in your
situation. It was a real life saver for me, worth every minute
of time and every penny of gas on Monday evenings. There were
also support groups for children. LOPC has historically had an
active singles (of all persuasions--don't let the location
stand in your way of great help) support ministry. You might
give the church office a call and see what is available
now.
signed, Better, now!
If you live in Northern Alameda County, you can call the Bananas
WarmLine (reachable through the main number, 658-7353) for an
initial conversation with an MFT and referrals for other local
therapists and groups. Just so you know, you'll probably get a
call back rather than being able to talk to someone on the spot.
Jennifer
Try kidsturn.org. They are an advocacy group for parents and children based
in San Francisco. I think they've got a new book out, too. I work at a school in
the East Bay, and several co-workers and parents recommend them.
[editor] see reviews of Kids Turn
this page was last updated: Oct 16, 2012
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