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CHAPTER 4: Jimmy in the Middle

DOI:

10.1891/9780826150028.0004

Authors

  • Morales, Claudia

Abstract

This chapter presents a case study of a 10-year-old Caucasian male. His family moved to the school community after a deployment in Germany. The major issues surrounding the effects of divorce on children occur in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The patient appeared to be unable to accept his parents’ divorce. Due to his father’s military employment, the family moved frequently. The patient appeared to be functioning in the concrete operational stage of cognitive development. Being new to the school, he started the process of developing relationships with his peers at school and in his neighborhood. Military lifestyle impacts the family unit when it comes to everyday life and relationships. To engage the patient through developmentally appropriate techniques, the author established a goal to incorporate play therapy techniques. The patient enjoyed group counseling and said that he felt better with the situation surrounding his parents.