Co-Parenting Counseling With High-Conflict Divorced Parents: Challenges for Psychologists at All Levels of Experience

Jeffrey Zimmerman, PhD, ABPP

Citation

Zimmerman, J. (2019). Co-parenting counseling with high-conflict divorced parents: challenges for psychologists at all levels of experience. Journal of Health Service Psychology, 45, 66–71.

Abstract

Divorce, and the conflict that ensues, greatly impacts children. Intense conflict around the terms of settlement and custody presents major challenges for psychologists who work with these families. Co-parenting training can be a helpful intervention with such families. Co-parenting training differs from family therapy or couple therapy, because of a “best interests of the child” perspective and a future (not past) orientation. Informed consent, establishment of parenting policies, facilitation of co-parenting communication, and respect for boundaries are essential components.

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