Parent Coordination/Parent Facilitation is a problem solving service offered to co-parents that are either about to go through, are going through the divorce process or post divorce.  The goal of Parent Coordination/Parent Facilitation is to offer professional assistance to co-parents who need help learning to work together to keep their children free from the exposure to parental conflict. For attorneys and courts, the goal of the Parent Coordinator/Parent Facilitator is to help their clients avoid chronic litigation and comply with court orders. 

With the court’s approval, and upon written consent of the parents, a Parent Coordinator/Parent Facilitator helps high-conflict parents create or modify their Parenting Plan.  This process is done by teaching parents to identify disputed issues, reduce misunderstandings, clarify priorities, develop methods of collaboration, and comply with court orders regarding conservatorship of and access to the their child(ren).  When a Parent Coordinator/Parent Facilitator can reduce the need for parents to return to court, the harmful exposure to conflict for their children is also reduced.

It is important to note that the Parent Coordinator/Parent Facilitator is a NEUTRAL third party.  Their foremost goal is to assist co-parents in identifying and implementing a parenting plan that will reduce conflict. Parent Coordination/Parent Facilitation involves skills that are therapeutic but it is not therapy. Since Parent Coordinators/Parent Facilitators are often trained mental health therapists, they can understand the underlying emotional and personality issues that contribute to conflicts and can use their training to help deal with these issues. Although Parent Coordinators/Parent Facilitators utilize the skills of mediation in working with Co-Parents, Parent Coordination/Parent Facilitation is not a one-time mediation dispute resolution service. 

Appointment of the Parent Coordinator/Parent Facilitator is usually court ordered, however other sources of referrals are attorneys, therapists, clergy or self-referral.  Ordinarily, a Parent Coordinator is appointed for a one to two-year term, however, parents can participate in Parent Coordination/Parent Facilitation indefinitely and utilize the services as new problems arise. 

Parent Coordination is a confidential process and the Parent Coordinator CANNOT be called to testify.  Parent Facilitation is NOT a confidential process, therefore the Parent Facilitator CAN be called to testify in court.

Thinking of seeking a legal solution for your children? Know your options.

Feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Brenda Lee Roberts, M. Ed, LPC, PC

972-672-0038

DALLAS OFFICE
4849 Greenville Avenue, Ste 1118
Two Energy Square
Dallas, Texas 75206

COLLEYVILLE OFFICE
1205 Hall Johnson Road
Colleyville, Texas  76034

Brenda@BrendaLeeRoberts.com