COURSE INFORMATION
This course is designed as a resource for the study of divorce and it’s impact on families, focusing a great deal on children. For professionals who counsels clients before, during and after a divorce it provides solid information, specific suggestions and an overall view of the entire process of divorce as it impacts all involved. Due to the fact that almost 50% of all marriages end in divorce, this course provides much needed current information on a wide range of subjects, including the grief and loss experienced by the parties involved, especially the children.
It is an invaluable guide for therapists, counselors, lawyers and mediators. Hours of CE = 30. Course Code GC 686.
Levels of course complexity: Intermediate and Advanced
Target Audience: Nurses, Physicians, Psychiatrists, Psychologist, Social Work Professionals, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Specialists, School Counselors, Grief Professionals, Trauma Specialists, Crisis Interventionists, Stress Management Consultants, Thanatologists, Pastoral Counselors, Mental Health Care Coaches, Funeral Directors, Ordained Clergy, Rehabilitation Specialists, Substance Abuse Counselors, Spiritual Counselors, other Licensed Health Care Professionals.
Instructor/Course Author: Kim Phillips Cumiskey, MS, GC-C
Link to Resume
TEXTBOOKS: There are two (2) required textbooks for this course.
Healthy Children of Divorce in 10 Simple Steps Shannon Rios Paulsen, MS, LMFT
- ISBN-10: 0991636104
- ISBN-13 : 978-0991636105
Family Divorce Therapy 101, Transitions Resources, LLC – 108pp.
- ISBN-10 : 0989291626
- ISBN-13 : 978-0989291620
TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete this course. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the course within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an “incomplete” will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the course after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.
GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 30 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by AIHCP and will be permitted one more attempt to retake the online examination.
BOARD APPROVALS:
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is an Approved Provider for Continuing Education by the South Carolina Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board, Provider # 4637. Access information
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals (The Provider) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number # CEP 15595 for 30 Contact Hours.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida State Board of Nursing Provider # 50-11975.
OTHER STATE BOARDS OF NURSING
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Kentucky Board of Nursing CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
Course Refund & AIHCP Policies: access here
ONLINE CLASSROOM RESOURCES AND TOOLS
- Examination Access: there is link to take you right to the online examination program where you can print out your examination and work with it. All examinations are formatted as “open book” tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam program at anytime and click in your responses to the questions. Full information is provided in the online classrooms.
- Student Resource Center: there is a link for access to a web page “Student Resource Center.” The Resource Center provides for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. We also have many links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.
- Online Evaluation: there is a link in the classroom where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.
- Faculty Access Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.
- Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional “readings” and /or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the online classrooms.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Assumptions and expectations dealing with the courts, lawyers, spouse and therapist are explored and either confirmed or debunked.
- Understanding the necessary preparations one needs to make before beginning the divorce process.
- Discusses the differences between using litigation or the courts, and the pros and cons of each
- How to recognize and deal with all forms of abuse and manipulation during the divorce process
- How parents can relieve stressors for children. The stages of grief experienced by children before, during and after divorce. Learning how each age group most likely will respond to what is happening.
- A general example of what a good parenting plan might include.
- Recognizing and trying to minimize the risks for your children. Learning to co-parent effectively.
- What control you actually have regarding your future and how to implement those goals.
- Conflicts between co-parents and how to minimize them for the sake of the children.
- Explains in detail why and how children of divorce do better in the long run if they have two parents supporting them.
- Where you might be in the grief process and what steps you need to take to heal.
- Explains the cycle of grief in divorce, and how the adults involved have the responsibility to move forward, if for nothing else, for the sake of the children.
- Dating is a big risk factor for your child. Learn how to do it responsibly.
- Ways to ensure that you are as healthy as possible, both mentally and physically, is something you owe your child and yourself.
- Explains how, when and where to tell your child about the upcoming divorce.
- Focuses on setting healthy boundaries with your co-parent and your child.
- Suggestions for listening to and connecting with your child.
- “Parents Promise” a document created by children of divorce for children of divorce.
COURSE CONTENT:
A brief abstract of content:
“Family Divorce Therapy 101”
Chapter 1. Average timeline of the Divorce Process in Most States
Chapter 2. Minimizing Adult Wounding of Divorce (Re-aligning Expectations)
Chapter 3. Empowering Divorcing Clients with Education/Resources
Chapter 4. The Long-term Family Value of Mediation versus Litigation
Chapter 5. Preparing Clients for Abusive Tactics in Divorcing Couples
Chapter 6. The Importance of Minimizing Child Wounding of Divorce
Chapter 7. Sample Parenting Plan
Chapter 8. Guiding Your Clients on Healthy Co-Parenting Skills
Chapter 9. Contributor and Workshop Presenters Biographies
Chapter 10. Helpful Books and Articles
“Healthy Children of Divorce in 10 Simple Steps: Minimize Effects of Divorce on Your Children”
Introduction: Why Read and Complete This Workbook
Chapter 1. Focus on the Future
Chapter 2. Establish Healthy Communications
Chapter 3. Your Child’s Birthright – Allowing Your Child to Love Both of You
Chapter 4. Letting Go – Moving on With Your Life
Chapter 5. Be responsible: We All Create Our Life
Chapter 6. Proceed With Caution: Your Children Are at Risk!
Chapter 7. Take Care of You and Love Yourself: It Takes A Healthy Parent to Raise a Healthy Child
Chapter 8. Telling Your Children You Are Divorcing and Navigating Parenting Time Schedules
Chapter 9. Set Healthy Boundaries – With Your Child and Your Co-Parenting
Chapter 10. Connection With Your Child
Chapter 11. Embracing the Future: You Can Do This!