Children of Divorce Seminar:
Parenting Through Separation and Divorce
The Seminar
The Children of Divorce Seminar is an educational seminar specifically designed for parents who are separating or divorcing as well as for parents who have never been married. This seminar is also open to anyone interested in the well-being of children such as caretakers, Grandparents, teachers, attorneys, stepparents, and counselors. The goal of the seminar is to give information to participants that will help them support their children's emotional well being during and after the transition of parents who have decided to live in separate households. This course is available to all people with custody issues who file for divorce in the 27th Judicial Circuit Court, State of Virginia. This includes the Counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe, and the Cities of Galax and Radford.
Seminar Leaders
Seminars are led by psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors with extensive experience in divorce and separation, mediation, and child counseling.
Seminar Format
The Children of Divorce Seminar lasts four hours, with videos and handouts to supplement the leaders' presentations. Each participant receives a Parent Handbook to take home with them.
Topics Discussed
Helping your child adjust to the separation
Developmental stages of children, and what type of reaction to expect from your child based on his/her age
Helpful ways to communicate to your child about the divorce
How to encourage and support the expression of your child's feelings
Stages of adjustment common to divorce
How parental conflict affects a child's adjustment
Sharing parental responsibilities after separation
Planning for holidays and vacations
How to encourage cooperation with your child's other parent
Promoting self-esteem in children
Warning signs of problems in children that indicate professional assessment may be needed.
This seminar is: An educational program teaching about the emotional needs of children when their parents separate.
This seminar is not: Marriage counseling, individual therapy, or mediation.
Seminar Locations and Dates
Please call the Mental Health Association at (540) 951-4990 or (800) 559-2800 for up-to-date seminar locations, dates, and times.
Tuesday, February 12 - Blacksburg
Saturday, February 23 - Pulaski
Thursday, March 6 - Blacksburg
Saturday, March 15 - Pulaski
Thursday, April 10 - Blacksburg
Saturday, April 26 - Pulaski
Participants need to arrive thirty minutes early to sign in, register, and obtain materials. Seminars begin on time and people arriving after the seminar has begun will not be allowed to enter. Childcare is not provided, nor will children be allowed to attend the seminar. A certificate of attendance will be provided upon seminar completion. If your attendance is court mandated, your name will be reported to the judge and court clerk.
Seminar Cost
As of April 1, 2007, the seminar fee is $50 per person and is due one week before the seminar. If the fee is paid anytime after this deadline (including on the day of the seminar), the fee will be $55 ($50 plus $5 late fee). All checks should be made payable to "Mental Health Association."
The fee may be waived in cases of extreme financial hardship. Contact the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley for a fee waiver application.
Pre-Registration is Required
To pre-register call the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley at: (540) 951-4990 or (800) 559-2800. Pre-registration is required. This seminar is recognized by the 27th Judicial Circuit Court in the State of Virginia. This includes: Counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe, and Cities of Galax and Radford.
