The Divorce Workshop as Crisis Intervention

It has been pointed out that society offers little or no help to the individual in the crisis of divorce. Woman's Place, a feminist organization serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut, through a series of six weekly workshops, has offered, to approximately 500 women, over a period of five years an opportunity to explore the realities of divorce. Experienced professional women volunteer as leaders in a supportive and objective milieu. They provide expert information on coping with their new single identity, handling children, finances, and the legal aspects of divorce. A final session focuses on growth through the mastery of their crisis. A two and one-half year follow up confirms the sustaining value of the program. There has been no decrease in demand since the inception of the program, and a waiting list is often maintained. Communities are urged to replicate this inexpensive, useful workshop series as crisis intervention.