NCJ Number
101266
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Issue: 11 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 109-118
Date Published
1986
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article describes the approach to divorce counseling and mediation used by the Buro-Entscheiding (divorce institute) in Groningen, Holland.
Abstract
The Buro was established to provide coordinated and comprehensive forms of help to divorcing couples and their children. Services are supplied through internal and external consultation and referral. In addition to providing information and advice, services focus on helping clients deal with identity crisis, emotional consequences of divorce, mourning and crisis reactions, problems with children, and negotiation among family members. The client sets the standard of intervention. A multidisciplinary team (lawyer, social worker, educator, and psychologist) approach is used, and much attention is given to analyzing client and team member emotional reactions and interactions. In 1982-83, the Buro provided services to 848 clients in 579 client systems; in 1983-84, services were provided to 858 clients in 572 systems. Research is underway to examine the effectiveness of this approach, and the establishment of a network of Buros modeled after the Groningen program has been proposed.