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Reconstruction: Life After Death or Divorce

Willard Black

Prague, Czech Republic, October 2003

 

In this session, we will attempt to provide a framework for how to approach, understand, and work through the period of grief and adjustment following the loss of a spouse through death or divorce. We will also look at various needs including managing anger as the major emotional response of ex-spouses, as well as dealing with issues of identity and self-worth.

How to approach the grief process and understand it

 

*      The average time-line for the basic grief process of two/three years

 

*       Differences in time-lines and difficulty in normalizing life

 

*       Sudden death by illness, accident, murder, suicide

 

*       Death preceded by extended illness

 

*       Divorce after spouse abuse, substance abuse

 

*       Separation/divorce time-lines 

  

Learn to say “I” not we

 

*       God is the source of worth; people communicate worth

 

*       Realign immediate family, in-law, and friends’ relationships

 

Manage anger generated by hurt, frustration, and fear

 

*       Four ways anger is expressed

 

*       Action steps for resolving anxiety, fear, and anger

 

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