Co-Parent Counseling
Participation Agreement
Goals of the Co-Parent Counselor include assisting parents to:
- Communicate about child-related issues in a constructive and respectful manner.
- Allow and encourage children to love both parents and protect the children from parental conflict and loyalty binds.
- Establish quality parenting in both homes; support movement of children through normal developmental tasks; provide consistency and predictability as well as flexibility; work toward some coordination of household routines, responsibilities, discipline methods, limits and expectations.
- Keep the stress and problems of living in two homes to a minimum; encourage children to feel comfortable being open and sharing all aspects of their lives.
- If there is not already a parenting plan in place, develop a parenting plan that is appropriate to the children;s needs and developmental level.
- If there are difficulties, challenges, or concerns with the existing parenting plan, review and revise the plan so as to better meet the needs of the children.
Roles of the Children in Co-Parent Counseling:
- Provide a "safe" place for discussion where the focus is on children's needs.
- Serve as a specialist who can offer parents information and guidance with respect to what is in the best interests of their children, taking into consideration developmental stage, individual strengths, weaknesses, temperament and needs.
- As appropriate, meet with the children to allow them to express feelings, thoughts, and concerns about what is happening to them. Give them a "voice" and an avenue to express thoughts and feelings to the parents through the child specialist.
- Be an advocate for the children.