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What Is It?

Parents want the best for their children, yet separation and divorce can take a toll on both the parents and the children they love. With divorce, comes a plethora of new roles and other changes. There can be feelings of frustration, anger, or grief, which can get in the way of positive parenting. Research has documented the negative impact of parental conflict on children. Co-parent counseling is a great way to manage conflict during or post-divorce, thereby supporting the healthy growth and development of the children. However, co-parent counseling is not for parents who have high conflict. It is not marital therapy.

The requirements for co-parent counseling are as follows:

• Co-parent counseling is a collaborative process, thus both parents must be willing to attend sessions together and communicate about their child.
• Both parents must have the best interests of their child/children as the reason for attending co-parent counseling.
• Co-parent counseling requires that both parents sign releases of information to each other, as well as any and all legal parties involved.
• If co-parent counseling is court ordered, a copy of the order must be shared with the clinician prior to setting up the first appointment so that the clinician can determine if the case is an appropriate fit.
• Co-parent counseling is NOT a covered insurance benefit should be considered an out-of-pocket expense. Prior to scheduling the first session, both parents must agree to who is responsible for payment. Often, but not always, this information is documented in the court order. Payment is due at the time of service.

Co-parent counseling can address:

• Development of effective methods of communicating
• Involvement of a new step-parent
• Education about factors which lead to positive post-divorce adjustment
• Making changes to the parenting plan
• Dealing with differences in child-rearing philosophies and practices
• Learning how to avoid conflict and putting the children “in the middle”
• Developing respectful approaches to decision making and problem-solving regarding the children
• Discipline and rules for the children
• Gaining a renewed sense of well-being and healing
• Co-parent counseling typically involves a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions, and with improvement, may only occur once a month.
• It will involve both parents and possibly current partners or children, if appropriate.