Co-Parenting with Boundaries-High Conflict Parenting Group

Group Counselors: Vicki Spitzer, PsyD and Joan Parkinson, MEd, MPC

Each parent will become aware of his or her own inappropriate co-parenting behavior and take responsibility for changing that behavior.  Parents learn tools for healthy co-parenting behavior and to better communicate with his or her co-parent and children.  Co-parents learn to understand the consequences of his or her co-parenting behavior

The purpose of the group is to help parents in high conflict co-parenting situations to become aware of the consequences of their behavior on themselves and their children.  The group will also help parents involved in high conflict co-parenting situations to create individualized plans for changing their parenting behavior.

The group will include four weekly sessions, each lasting two hours (eight total hours of treatment).  Co-parents may NOT attend group together, but can attend separate groups.  Clients can enroll in the group with or without a court order.  This group may be useful in multiple situations.  Situations include:

1) During the divorce or paternity process (to prevent development of damaging behaviors and to enhance understanding of the demands of co-parenting);

2) Prior to beginning services with a Therapeutic Interventionist for Co-Parenting Therapy (to provide basic education, enhance personal responsibility, and cut cost at the initiation of services);

3) In place of a Co-Parenting Therapist when the only other option would be no services;

4) Following development of new or increased conflict in a family.