The Reunification Therapy Process and FAQ

Every family has different dynamics, complexities, and issues that needs to be focused on. For this reason, the reunification therapy process can vary in time from family to family. Typically the time will rely on the level of resistance from the parental parties as well as the children. The time it takes to fully assess each individual involved will also play a large role in the length of the process.

Process

• Background Information
• Reunification will begin once the clinician has received all necessary paperwork and documentation from both parties. This includes court orders, parenting plans, settlements, court motions, DCF or child welfare documentations, any police reports, prior psychological evaluations or mental health records, as well as common information for all individuals and children involved. All of these records will be carefully reviewed by the assigned clinician to ensure all needs of the parties are met properly to ensure safety and effectiveness in creating a unique and effective treatment plan.
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• Assessment
• The next step in the process is to meet with each parent separately. After meeting with both parents, the clinician must then work with the custodial parent to guide them  towards allowing the participation and involvement of the alienated parent in the reunification process. This will be one of the most difficult and possibly time consuming stages of the reunification process. This stage will involve multiple sessions to gather information and therapeutic sessions as well as parenting education for the alienating parent to become aware of the benefits of having both parents involved in the children’s lives.
• This stage may take the longest due to assessment of each individual. During this stage if the clinician meets with a parent and feels as though they would benefit from parenting skills education, the clinician can being working with that parent on their parenting skills.
• During the assessment stage, the clinician will also meet with all the children involved separately. The clinician may choose to meet with each child more than once or twice to measure the level in which the children are effected by the alienation.
• Once this stage is complete the clinician will then begin creating a treatment plan that has been uniquely designed to work with the family.
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• Non-Custodial parent & Child Sessions
• After assessing all members of the family individually, the clinician will then meet with each child and the non-custodial parent to measure each child’s level of resistance towards that parent.
• This also gives the clinician a chance to observe if the parent’s behavior is appropriate to the situation or if the parent needs further parenting education. If the clinician sees the parent may need coaching, it may happen during the visitation if needed or in individual educational sessions with the clinician.
• These meetings are also meant to facilitate the ability of the non-custodial parent and child to reconnect and build trust.
• If for any reason the non-custodial parent is in need of supervised visitations, this can easily be arranged as all clinicians are able to supervise visitations. If a court order exists for supervised visitations, it will be honored and followed accordingly.
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• Additional Sessions
• As the process of reintroducing the non-custodial parent continues, the clinician will continuously meet with the custodial parent to reinforce the importance of both parents in the children’s lives. If the parent is resistance and in need of therapy, it will occur at this time. 
• Once the whole family begins to function with less issues and resistance, the clinician can then begin to taper the amount of times the family comes in for sessions. 

Q&A

Q: Can you provide both supervised visitations and reunification therapy?

A: Yes, our agency is fully equipped with the tools and expertise required to provide both services. 

Q: Why should I have an in-person consultation prior to choosing the right therapist for my family?

A: It isn’t always likely that the therapist you choose feels right for your family, for this reason we suggest and offer a complimentary meeting with any of our clinicians to ensure your family chooses the right clinician for your family.

Q: My children aren’t ready to see the other parent, nor do they want to!

A: It is a very important part of reunification therapy that the custodial parent encourages and supports the participation of their children in building a new relationship with the non-custodial parent. It is also the custodial parent’s responsibility to support and encourage the non-custodial’s involvement in the process.

Q: Will my insurance cover these services? How will I pay for these services?

A: Currently, our agency does not accept insurance companies. Our rates depend on which clinician is chosen for your case, this will be discussed with your consultant during the initial consultation session. This process will take both time and money, for this reason we ask that the parents split the expenses 50/50 or in some court-involved cases that takes report writing time, testimony, or additional services we may ask for a retainer. We take all major credit cards, checks, and cash.

If you or anyone you know would benefit form our services, feel free to give us a call today to speak with a clinician about your situation! 561-429-2140