Why Choose a Collaborative Divorce Process?
The Collaborative process is an efficient, cost-effective approach for resolving conflicts that often arises from divorce/separation. It is supportive, and non-judgemental, allowing for family members to voice their individual perspectives and needs, promote amicable communication, and support the children.
Parents choosing to resolve matters through the Collaborative Divorce process have a significantly better opportunity to reduce the negative impact of separation and divorce on children.
How can a Child Specialist Help?
Child specialists are trained to work with parents, children, and/or other family members. Their goal is to support the children through the emotional and interpersonal aspects so families can remain focused on their goals and adjust to family change in a healthier way. Child specialists help family members build skills to support them through a very difficult time in their lives.
Child specialists address topics such as:
- Talking to children about separation and divorce
- Designing ongoing communication strategies to reduce the blame cycle and drama
- Helping parents to provide love and support to children before and after the process
- Developing effective strategies to manage children’s questions and emotions
- Working with co-parents to restructure relationships in healthy, amicable, and safe ways
- Assisting parents in reaching custody and parenting plans that suit the needs of the family
The role of the child specialist:
- Providing a confidential, and non-judgmental space to sort their issues and struggles
- Assisting children in processing grief, loss, anxiety, and stress
- Empowering children to express their feelings and needs openly
- Identifying challenges and build resilience
- Developing skills and coping strategies to manage difficult feelings and behaviours
Written By:
Gerry Bock, MA, CTS, Registered Clinical Counsellor Parenting Coordinator, Family Law Coach, and Family Mediator
Email – Gerry@bock.ca Telephone: 604-574-6555