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Employee divorce support session to begin Sept. 23 by Heather Murphy Public Relations With more than half of all marriages ending in divorce, it’s understandable that therapists in MUSC’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) feel it’s important to help MUSC employees during this period of emotional upheaval. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of people that come to us for help in dealing with the stress of a divorce,” said Jeni Bowers, EAP therapist, “So we decided that a divorce support group would serve the needs of many MUSC employees.” Bowers recently joined the EAP in June after working with individuals who have eating disorders. “Working with eating disorders is very intense and emotionally draining after a period of time,” Bowers said, “So working with this group will give me an opportunity to look at a variety of different emotional/behavioral problems as opposed to focusing on just one.” The group will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday beginning Sept. 23. The program will last for six weeks and dependent on the response, will resume on Nov. 11 with a new group of participants.  “The group is designed to address how people are handling divorce because it’s such a significant change in lifestyle,” Bowers said.  During the hour and a half, participants will share experiences, discuss stress management, realize coping skills and communicate with Bowers in an open format.  “Having gone through a divorce myself, I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak,” said Bowers, who plans to take the plunge again in April of next year. While most of the rules are flexible, confidentiality is not. “Whatever is discussed in the group stays in the group,” Bowers said, “Since the group meets after hours, no one will know who’s in it besides the members and myself.” EAP enlists therapists for the assessment, referral, and brief therapy of MUSC employees and their dependents.  Employees receive up to four free sessions for any problem they may be having at work or at home. If the problem requires more persistent therapy, then the EAP therapist refers the employee to an outside therapist. “We’ll continue to do stress management seminars and if another problem stands out in the population then we’ll evaluate a need for another group addressing that issue at that time.” The divorce support group is free but has limited space, so if interested, pre-register before Sept. 20 by calling 792-2848.            Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.