In order to minimize social, emotional and developmental harm children sometimes experience as a result of family transitions, Suzanne Gavin, LCSW, NCPC tailors specific sessions that eliminates conflict and assists parents in serving the bests interest of the child.

The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the premier interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict, definition of parenting coordination:

Parenting coordination is an alternative dispute resolution process combining assessment, education, case management, conflict resolution and, sometimes, decision-making functions.  A Parenting coordinator (PC) is typically appointed by a court order or private consent agreement to help parents implement, modify and comply with the parenting plan. 

PCs assist parents by providing:

1. Education about co-parenting and parental communication

2. The psychological and developmental needs of the children

3. Strategies to manage conflict and reduce the negative effects on children

4. Effective post-separation parenting.

To further assist parents and children, PCs facilitate referrals to community providers when necessary and collaborate with other professionals who may already be involved with the family.

It has been said that parenting is the most difficult job, and the most important responsibility, you will ever have in your life. Unfortunately, no one provides us with clear guidelines about the right way to parent. Parenting skills training gives parents tools and techniques for managing their child’s behavior.  Parents learn to use stress management methods, such as relaxation techniques, and exercise, to increase their own tolerance for frustration so that they can respond more calmly to their child’s behavior.  A report is often required by the court and or is requested by a client.

Reunification therapy is often beneficial when a parent may have been absent for an extended period of time or there may be a history of some form of abuse that the child has witnessed or was a victim of. Courts will occasionally recommend that a clinician be used for the purpose of gradually reintroducing a child to a biological parent.  Goals for court ordered reunification are largely determined by the judge. The structured reunification process can assess the potential for reunification as well as assist in improving parent-child contact in a safe environment.

The cooperation of the custodial parent is necessary to support the visiting child.  The custodial parent will be kept apprised of how the sessions are progressing.  A report is often required by the court and or is requested by a client.

Therapeutic supervised visitation is a structured, intervention process that addresses issues that led to the fractured parent child relationship in a safe environment to promote change. A trained licensed clinician, Ms. Gavin guides the visit between the non-custodial parent and the child to facilitate the Therapeutic Supervised Visitation. Goals are established to ensure the children benefit as much as possible from the contact. These goals include healing of past trauma, communication, aiding the non-custodial parent to respond to the needs of the child that will facilitate positive attachment, separation and re-connection. Adaptive parenting and interaction skills are continuously reinforced. Off-site visits are utilized when deemed appropriate by the Ms. Gavin. State standards and generally accepted professional guidelines for Therapeutic Supervised Visitation are employed. 

The cooperation of both parents is necessary to facilitate positive change that serves in the best interest of the child. The clinician maintains a neutral stance. A report is often required by the court and or is requested by a client.