Healthy Divorce: For Parents and Children--An Original, Clinically Proven Program for Working Through the Fourteen Stages of Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage [Paperback]

Craig Everett (Author), Sandra Volgy Everett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787943819 | ISBN-13: 978-0787943813 | Publication Date: August 14, 1998

Solutions for negotiating one of life's most difficult events

Healthy Divorce is a very valuable book, containing practical answers to difficult questions.
--Dan Kiley, author of The Peter Pan Syndrome and The WAndy Dilemma

The authors have devoted their careers to counseling divorcing families. In this encouraging book, they outline the fourteen stages of divorces and offer families practical advice and solutions for negotiating one of life's most difficult events. With sensitivity and sensibility they explain how to recognize the different stages of the divorce; what to expect during each phase; and how to deal with the predictable patterns of the divorce process.

Healthy Divorce explores ways of confronting such tough issues as how to tell your children you're getting a divorce; how to plan a separation; and how to cope with your feelings of anger, grief, and abandonment. The authors offer practical advice on using mediation as an alternative to the adversarial court battle; co-parenting to maintain stability for the children after the divorce; and organizing and structuring a happy blAnded family.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This guide for perplexed partners bears the stamp of authority and the touch of good therapists: the husband-and-wife authors combine 45 years of professional experience in family therapy and court-related work. From preseparation all the way to remarriage, the Everetts detail 14 stages such as easing the way for children, dividing property, establishing boundaries (privacy), and coparenting after divorce. Placing the emphasis, appropriately, on couples with children, the authors are clear and concise, offering lists to organize tasks at successive stages. Case illustrations help, as do lists of questions commonly asked by parents and children. A model mediated divorce agreement and list of books and organizations close the book (though the suggested reading inexplicably leaves out Abigail Trafford's Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce, HarperCollins, 1992. rev. ed.). Though, like their book's title, the Everetts sometimes overstate the positive, their guide is essential for most collections.
E. James Lieberman, George Washington Univ. Sch. of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A wise and practical guidebook for divorcing parents. There is something useful here for any point in the process. Divorcing parents who take this book seriously will inevitably protect themselves from much grief." (Richard A. Gardner, clinical professor of child psychiatry, Columbia University, and author of The Boys' and Girls' Book About Divorce)

"This is a solid book written by two well-respected leaders in the field of divorce counseling and mediation. It is an excellent resource for professionals and parents alike." (Isolina Ricci, author of Mom's House, Dad's House)

"At long last, a practical, informed, and sensitive guide for parents and children navigating the painful passages of separation, divorce, and remarriage. Erasing the pain is impossible, but providing guidance through fourteen predictable stages removes the unknown and eradicates fear." (William C. Nichols, editor of Contemporary Family Therapy)

"Healthy Divorce is a very valuable book, containing practical answers to difficult questions." (Dan Kiley, author of The Peter Pan Syndrome and The WAndy Dilemma)

"A usesful resource for persons whose families are touched by the divorce process." (Journal of Family Psychotherapy)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (August 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787943819
• ISBN-13: 978-0787943813
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #629,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, creative, accessible, unpretentious!, November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Healthy Divorce: For Parents and Children--An Original, Clinically Proven Program for Working Through the Fourteen Stages of Separation, Divorce, and ... Bass Social and Behavioral Science Series) (Hardcover)

As a person who has been involved in professional counselling for years, I was shattered when my marriage of 20 years collapsed this year. I found this book in my university library, read it reluctantly, and have been enormously helped by its excellent layout and very realistic, practical application. The stage approach was helpful without be prescriptive, and both my ex-wife and I found its clarity most helpful in recognising and owning our place is the process. Unquestionably helped reduce conflict levels in our separation and divorce. Theory is cleary present, but well integrated with application and as valid for my South African context as it must be for its American setting. Many, many thanks!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most helpful tool since my separation., May 26, 1998

By 

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This review is from: Healthy Divorce: For Parents and Children--An Original, Clinically Proven Program for Working Through the Fourteen Stages of Separation, Divorce, and ... Bass Social and Behavioral Science Series) (Hardcover)

This book has been the most helpful tool since my recent separation. After 22 years of marriage, my husband and I have separated. This book lists all of the predictable emotions, what to expect's, and what to do's. Very valuable to me! It has helped to understand my own feelings and know that it is normal to feel this way. I've read the chapters past the point of where we are so I can be better prepared just in case. Thanks.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best advice I recieved in the most difficult decision, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Healthy Divorce: For Parents and Children--An Original, Clinically Proven Program for Working Through the Fourteen Stages of Separation, Divorce, and Remarriage (Paperback)

This book helped guide me through a very difficult decision. This book helped me deal with the many issues that I feared for my family, children and my wife. This book combined with "Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay" help me make the right choice. The book helped me deal with the feeling and emotions in the decision and the process. I can not recommend this book enough. It does not have all the answers but it is a great place to start!