These original 8 Themes are covered in the 8-Week Structured Group Therapy format of Rollercoasters^®.  While many are also addressed in the 4-Hour Education Format, the content is not addressed at a therapeutic level in this shorter format.

Theme 1 – A Rollercoaster of Change
Changes if family, like all changes, impact our world of thoughts, feelings and behavior.  Children select from a myriad of possible changes their family has undergone and discuss ways to adjust to their new life.

Theme 2 – Why Change Happens
Parents divorce for many reasons which are not a child’s responsibility.  Children pay a game to help dispel typical myths and beliefs regarding family separation.

Theme 3 – Change Means Loss
The process of grieving helps us move on, making room for new experiences and growth.  This session includes story telling and the loss box activity.

Theme 4 – A Rollercoaster of Feelings
Sadness, confusion, relief, fear, powerlessness, guilt … managing feelings improve
self-esteem.  Children enjoy an activity which helps them organize their feelings around the events they have experienced.

Theme 5 – Anger Management
In this favorite session where hands-on activities are utilized, the children receive an arsenal of ways to cope with their anger.

Theme 6 – Coping Strategies to Handle Turbulence
Problem solving skills:  How to get out of the middle, avoid choosing sides; two houses/two lives, role play, coping strategies and much more.

Theme 7 – More Change Will Come
Variations of the family can provide new and rich experiences.  A poignant activity helps children prepare for new changes.

Theme 8 – What I’ve Learned Through Change
Getting unstuck, hope for the future.  A group activity helps synthesize what has been learned.  Optional presentation to parents.