Collaborative Family Specialist and Family & Co-Parenting Mediation Services

Collaborative Family Specialist Services and Family and Co-Parenting Mediation are professional services separate and distinct from psychotherapy. Although I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker, these services are not provided as mental health treatment or psychotherapy.

Collaborative Family Specialist Services

As a Family Specialist on a Collaborative Divorce team, I help individuals and families navigate the emotional and interpersonal challenges that can make separation and divorce particularly difficult. My role is to support effective communication, help manage difficult emotions and behaviors that may interfere with resolution, and assist clients and the professional team in moving the Collaborative process forward.

My specific role depends upon the structure of the Collaborative team.

In a one-coach model, I work with both clients as a neutral Family Specialist. With consistent and warm neutrality, I help clients communicate about difficult topics with dignity and respect, identify and address barriers to productive problem-solving, and support the work of the Collaborative team.

In a two-coach model, I serve as the coach for one client rather than as a neutral professional. While my role is client-specific, I remain committed to the Collaborative process, including open communication with the professional team, supporting productive communication and problem-solving, and helping move the process toward resolution.

Some Collaborative teams also engage a Child Specialist. In this neutral role, I help bring the child’s perspective and developmental needs into the Collaborative process. I draw upon extensive training in child development and decades of professional experience working with children, adolescents, and families.

Collaborative Divorce is a private, non-adversarial, client-centered approach to separation and divorce. Clients and their professional team work together outside of court to resolve parenting, financial, and other divorce-related issues through a structured process emphasizing communication, problem-solving, and informed decision-making.

Family and Co-Parenting Mediation

As a mediator, I serve as a neutral professional who helps parents and family members communicate, identify issues, explore options, and work toward mutually acceptable agreements.

Mediation may address parenting plans, co-parenting communication, changes in family circumstances, and other family-related concerns. My role is to facilitate the process rather than make decisions for either party or provide psychotherapy to the participants.

A Distinct Professional Role

Collaborative Family Specialist Services and Family and Co-Parenting Mediation are provided as professional services separate and distinct from psychotherapy.