Do you and your co-parent struggle to communicate effectively about your children's well-being? Perhaps you're separated and need help developing a parenting plan, or maybe you have an existing court order causing friction. Parenting coordination can provide the support you need to navigate these challenges. At Mindstate Psychology, our experienced team of psychologists often acts as Parenting Coordinators, bringing stability and understanding to difficult situations and parental conflict.
A parenting coordinator is a specially trained professional who helps separated parents with high conflict find common ground and make decisions about their children. From where your child will attend school to concerns regarding medical treatment and social activities, there are many decisions parents must make regarding their child's upbringing. Unlike therapists who delve into past issues, parenting coordinators focus on the present and future, acting as neutral facilitators to improve communication and co-parenting skills. Parenting coordination is a child-focused dispute resolution process that aims to assist parents in making co-parenting decisions.
While parenting coordinators in Perth come from a range of professions and qualifications, our team is comprised of experienced psychologists who have a strong understanding of relationship dynamics and other psychological factors that can influence relationships. This significant edge allows our team to resolve disputes effectively and proactively. Primarily, parenting coordinators assist in building effective systems that both benefit the children and adhere to court orders.
Parenting coordination offers a range of benefits for separated families, including:
At Mindstate Psychology, our experienced Perth-based parenting coordinators are dedicated to helping separated families achieve positive co-parenting relationships. We can assist you with:
Our psychologists often act as Single Expert Witnesses in Family Court matters, giving them a thorough understanding of Court orders and legal processes. While they cannot give legal advice, this experience is still invaluable for the coordinator to develop a successful parenting plan.
You can engage a parenting coordinator by mutual agreement or court order. The first step is usually to choose your practitioner.
Annette Paul is our experienced Parenting Coordinator at Mindstate Psychology.
Parents usually share the cost of all communications with the PC equally. When we agree to accept your matter, we will advise you about the current rates.
Due to the extra work involved, these rates are higher than for individual therapy.
Each parent has an individual session first, followed by joint sessions with both the parents and the Parent Coordinator. If there are safety concerns, these should be discussed during the initial session so that appropriate strategies can be implemented.
Commonly, the PC will want to meet with the children.
Parents continue to attend sessions, usually every month, until the PC advises that the matter can move to an ‘as needed' basis.
In addition to session attendance, either parent can contact the PC with a concern or difficulty, and the PC will communicate with the other parent about these issues to reach a timely resolution.
A Parenting Coordinator should be a qualified professional (such as a lawyer or psychologist) who has undertaken specific training in Parenting Coordination. While practitioners do not require specific registration, it is still important to choose a practitioner who is properly qualified and experienced.
All parenting coordinators at Mindstate Psychology have undertaken specialised training and maintain membership with Parenting Coordination Australia and Pacifica Congress.
No. Parenting coordinators are independent professionals who help separated families implement successful parenting plans. Lawyers, single expert witnesses, family therapists, or other professionals who have previously worked with you or your family cannot act as your parenting coordinator. Doing so would jeopardise the parenting coordinator process.
Parenting Coordination is a child-centred process designed for high-conflict separated parents to minimise everyday conflict, protect children and build effective systems to adhere to Court Orders. Because parent coordinators primarily focus on implementing Court Orders, parents should wait until after the orders have been made.
When choosing the right Parenting Coordinator to assist you, there are several things to consider. You should ensure that your practitioner has sufficient experience and training, such as undertaking training with Parenting Coordination Australia. Parenting Coordinators also must be independent - they cannot be previously involved in your matter.
At Mindstate Psychology, our parent coordinators are highly experienced, with conflict resolution skills and extensive knowledge of Family Court processes. Our psychologists also have membership with Parenting Coordination Australia and Pacifica Congress, making us a go-to choice for separated families in Perth.
Parent coordination is a child-focused process, primarily focusing on implementing Court Orders to provide a successful and stable environment for the children. They do not change existing orders or decide on matters of fact. While there is a focus on dispute resolution, this is primarily focused on implementing a successful parenting agreement. They do not consider other matters, such as property division, that mediation or other dispute resolution matters consider.
Unlike a therapist, they do not develop therapeutic relationships with individual parties. Instead, parent coordinators provide recommendations to the parties, facilitating successful co-parenting plans that support the best interests of the children.
No. Parent coordination is a dispute resolution process to help separated families implement successful parenting plans. While it is helpful for practitioners to understand the Family Court process, they do not need to be legal professionals. At Mindstate Psychology, our practitioners have a strong working knowledge of the Family Court and legal proceedings.
Parent coordination uses a combination of individual and joint sessions between high-conflict parents and an experienced practitioner to implement successful co-parenting plans and reduce ongoing conflict.
The ultimate focus is implementing Court Orders to provide a successful and stable environment for the children. Parenting coordinators can help:
The cost of parenting coordination can vary depending on the experience and qualifications of the parenting coordinator and the case's complexity. The cost will be higher than our standard therapy rates due to the additional work and experience required.
We will always provide a quote before accepting your matter so that you understand the cost.
