DIVORCE COUNSELING

FC515

Course Code: FC515
Semester: -
Theory+Practice: 2 + 0
ECTS: 5

Course Type

Elective Course

Course Level

Master's Degree Without Thesis

Year of Study

Semester

ECTS

Name of Lecturer(s)

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

Explain the psychological, social, and developmental effects of divorce on family members and children.
Analyze joint custody practices and legal/mediation processes in the divorce process.
Apply psychological counseling approaches with family members during the post-divorce adjustment process.

Mode of Delivery

Face to face

Prerequisites

Recommended Optional Programme Components

Current Issues in Family Counseling

Course Description

This course provides students with comprehensive knowledge of the divorce process and post-divorce adjustment. It addresses the psychological, social, and developmental consequences of divorce for family members and children, parental alienation syndrome, shared custody arrangements, legal procedures related to divorce, divorce mediation, and counseling approaches designed to facilitate post-divorce adaptation. The course emphasizes evidence-based intervention strategies that promote the well-being of both adults and children throughout the divorce process.

Course Contents

WEEK	TOPICS
1^st Week	Introduction to Divorce Counseling
2^nd Week	The Impact of Divorce on the Family System
3^rd Week	The Effects of Divorce on Children
4^th Week	Assessment of Risk and Protective Factors During the Divorce Process
5^th Week	Parental Alienation Syndrome
6^th Week	Assessment and Intervention Approaches for Parental Alienation Syndrome
7^th Week	Shared Custody: Concept, Practice Models, and Implications for Child Welfare
8^th Week	Midterm Examination
9^th Week	Legal Procedures in Divorce
10^th Week	Divorce Mediation
11^th Week	Post-Divorce Adjustment Process
12^th Week	Family Counseling After Divorce
13^th Week	Reconstituted (Blended) Families
14^th Week	Case Discussions and Practice Examples
15^th Week	General Evaluation

Recommended or Required Reading

Ahrons, C. R. (2004). We?re still family: What grown children have to say about their parents? divorce. HarperCollins.
Amato, P. R. (2000). The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 1269-1287.
Emery, R. E. (2012). Renegotiating family relationships: Divorce, child custody, and mediation (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Johnston, J. R., Walters, M. G., & Olesen, N. W. (2005). Is it alienating parenting, role reversal or child abuse? An empirical study of children?s rejection of a parent in child custody disputes. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 5(4), 191-218.
Kök, H. (2025). Boşanma sürecinde bir sorun olarak ebeveyne yabancılaşma sendromu. Tıbbi Sosyal Hizmet Dergisi, 13(25), 20-36. https://doi.org/10.46218/tshd.1451344
Öngider, N. (2013). Boşanmanın çocuk üzerindeki etkileri. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar, 5(2), 140?161.
Yılmaz, G., & Kök, T. (2019). Boşanma öncesi, sırası ve sonrası aile danışmanlığı uygulamaları. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 22(3), 67-82.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lecture
Discussion
Questions/Answers
Presentation
Case Study

Assessment Methods and Criteria

	Quantity	Percentage (%)
Mid-term	1	20
Assignment	1	10
Presentation of Article	1	10
Total(%)		40
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)		40
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)		60
Total(%)		100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam	1	2	2
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work	2	20	40
Preparation for Final exam
Course hours	15	2	30
Preparation for Midterm exam	1	20	20
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam
Homework	2	10	20
Presentation (including preperation)	2	20	40
Total Work Load			152
Total Work Load / 30 (h)			5.06
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

Language of Instruction

Turkish

Work Placement(s)

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

	LO1	LO2	LO3
K1	X		X
K2	X	X	X
K3		X
K4	X	X	X
K5			X
K6	X	X	X
K7			X
K8			X
K9	X	X	X