Grey Divorce

Grey Divorce

Course Description:

This seminar is aimed at helping therapists understand the complexities of divorce among older adults. This course explores the unique challenges faced by individuals navigating separation and divorce in their later years. This seminar explores clinical issues such as; emotional, familial, social and financial aspects of grey divorce.

Through discussions and lecture, attendees will gain valuables perspectives on understanding the unique dynamics of relationships that end or have the potential of ending later in life. In addition,  this seminar will offer practical hands on strategies, clinical skills and tools that therapists can utilize to help clients struggling with these challenging dynamics. It will also provide clinicians with insight into helping their clients develop coping skills, learn self-advocacy skills, set boundaries, understand the dynamics of rebuilding life after a late-life divorce, as well as fostering resilience and empowerment in this specific life transition.

This program is appropriate for all level of Bachelors or post master’s professionals who are working with individuals, couples, and families.

Teaching Methods:

• This course will be taught with a combination of methods including didactic lecture and integration of role plays and case examples.
• Offer participants the information needed to practice the skills, techniques and strategies that prepare them for working with clients who are involved with all aspects of grey divorce.
• Engage participants in experiencing the client perspective through case discussion.

Specific new skills that will be taught include:

• Learn about the concept of “Grey Divorce," which refers to the increasing trend of divorces among older adults, typically aged 60 and above.
• Understand the unique challenges and considerations involved in divorces later in life, including financial implications, changes in social support networks, and health concerns.
• Identify the unique factors that may create the need for Grey Divorce, such as empty nest syndrome, infidelity, financial disagreements, and diverging life goals.
• Assess the emotional impact of Grey Divorce on older adults, including feelings of loss, loneliness, grief, fears and uncertainty about the future.
• Address the complex interplay between marital satisfaction, individual identity, and life transitions in the decision-making process for Grey Divorce.
• Explore clinical skills and psychoeducation on coping strategies and resilience-building techniques for older adults going through Grey Divorce utilizing clinical techniques.
• Explore the role of adult children and extended family members in the Grey Divorce process, including potential conflicts, loyalty issues, and caregiving responsibilities.
• Facilitate therapeutic interventions to help older adults adjust to post-divorce life, rebuild self-esteem, and rediscover meaning and purpose.
• Provide clinical skills that focus challenges and growth associated bit grey divorce including but not limited to; grief and loss, family communication, aging, illness, the disruption of future plans, resilience, and the potential for new beginnings in later life.

Learning Objectives:

•  1. Therapists will deepen their comprehension of the emotional intricacies and psychological impact surrounding 'grey divorce,' gaining insights into the unique emotional challenges faced by older adults going through separation or divorce.
• 2. Attendees will acquire effective therapeutic strategies and intervention approaches tailored to support individuals coping with late-life divorces. These strategies will provide clinicians with an in depth understanding of issues relating to aging, generational cohort, adult children, financial implications, grief processing, rebuilding self-identity, dementia, friendships, illness, and fostering emotional resilience before, during and after the separation/divorce process.
• 3. Therapists will explore the impact of 'grey divorce' on familial relationships and transitions, and will obtain tools to assist individuals in navigating family adjustments and facilitating healthy communication among family members and adult children during this significant life transition.
• 4. Participants will learn techniques to promote post-divorce adjustment and resilience-building in older adults. This includes guiding clients toward self-empowerment, assisting in setting new life goals, rebuilding friendships and connection to community and supporting the navigation of lifestyle changes for a fulfilling post-divorce life phase.