Utilizing Creative Expressive Techniques and Group Counseling to Improve Adolescents of Divorce Social-Relational Capabilities

Abstract

Adolescents of divorce present challenges for mental health counselors unfamiliar with issues this population encounters. Problems such as negative societal perceptions and low behavioral self-efficacy can combine, causing long-lasting problems. Specifically, adolescents of divorce appear to be at risk for developing inadequate social/relational capabilities. To improve adolescents’ relational and social competencies, the authors advocate for a creative combination of expressive techniques and group counseling. This brief, six-week intervention may be a viable, creative tool for counselors working with this distinct client population.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• children of divorce
• creativity in counseling
• expressive methods
• group counseling
• social and relational capabilities

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Krystle M. Whitten

Krystle M. Whitten is a master’s student in the Department of Counselor Education at Florida International University.

Isaac Burt

Isaac Burt is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Florida International University.