Parenting after separation or divorce can bring about unique and often difficult challenges. When parents are struggling to manage communication and decision-making across two households, coparenting counseling can provide a structured, therapeutic process to help reduce conflict and promote healthier patterns of interaction. I offer coparenting counseling to support parents in improving their ability to collaborate in a way that protects the emotional well-being of their children. While I generally require cases to be governed by a formalized legal agreement (e.g., court Order, mediation term sheet or Marital Settlement Agreement), I may exercise discretion to become involved pre-litigation in circumstances where I determine that early intervention is both necessary and likely to reduce the risk of protracted legal conflict. My services are tailored specifically for high-conflict cases, and as such, I am highly selective in any pre-litigated matters I accept.
Scope and Process
Co-parenting counseling is not a forum for processing past relationship issues or a substitute for individual therapy. Instead, it is a forward-focused process aimed at improving the coparenting dynamic so that parents can work more effectively together. I begin with individual meetings to assess each parent’s communication style, areas of tension, and capacity for collaboration. Based on this assessment, I develop an intervention plan designed to reduce entrenched conflict and promote the conditions necessary for parents to engage in joint decision-making without ongoing reliance on legal or psycho-legal professionals. Sessions typically begin individually and may evolve into joint meetings once I determine that doing so would be therapeutically appropriate.
New Ways for Families
My co-parenting work is grounded in the New Ways for Families® method, an evidence-informed approach designed to reduce the impact of high-conflict dynamics on children. This method teaches parents a set of foundational skills: flexible thinking, managing emotions, moderating behavior, and self-reflection, to support more constructive communication and action oriented problem-solving. I integrate these skills into our work together, with the goal of helping parents shift away from conflict-based interactions and toward more child focused, intentional parenting decisions.
Cooperative Coparenting vs. Parallel Parenting
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to coparenting. The structure of a coparenting relationship depends on many factors, including the level of conflict, the parents’ communication skills, and the children’s needs. In my role, I work with families to determine whether a cooperative or parallel parenting model is most appropriate for their situation and make recommendations accordingly.
Cooperative co-parenting is characterized by open, respectful communication and a shared commitment to making joint decisions. It is widely regarded as the most beneficial model for children because it allows for consistent routines, aligned values, and reduced emotional strain across households. For example, if a child is struggling in school and needs extra academic support, cooperative parents would discuss the issue directly with one another, share their perspectives, and make a joint decision about pursuing tutoring; possibly even attending meetings together with the school or tutor to stay aligned.
However, in high-conflict families, attempts to cooperatively coparent may heighten distress for children. When communication between parents is marked by hostility, criticism, or emotional volatility, children often become triangulated or exposed to adult conflict. In these situations, a parallel parenting model may be the healthiest alternative. Using the same example, parallel parents would address the child’s academic needs independently by each implementing support in their own household without engaging the other parent directly. Communication would be minimal, structured, and likely limited to written updates shared in a neutral format such as a parenting app or email.
While cooperative coparenting remains the ideal in terms of emotional benefit for children, it is not always feasible or advisable, particularly in high-conflict situations. Parallel parenting allows children to be shielded from adult conflict while maintaining relationships with both parents and ensuring consistency in their day-to-day lives.
Would Parallel Parenting Work For Your Family?
Confidentiality and Legal Considerations
Co-parenting counseling is considered a form of alternative dispute resolution and is protected under New Jersey law. Communications within this process are confidential from outside parties and cannot be disclosed or used in court unless both parents provide written consent or disclosure is required by law.
In all co-parenting counseling cases, I serve in the role of a therapeutic neutral. This means I do not advocate for either parent, take sides, or provide evaluative opinions about custody or parenting time. My role is to facilitate a structured, therapeutic process designed to reduce conflict, improve communication, and support both parents in functioning more effectively for the benefit of their children. As a therapeutic neutral, I remain impartial and equally accountable to both parents, focusing on promoting stability, emotional safety, and child-centered decision-making.
It is important to understand that co-parenting counseling is notindividual therapy, and the rules of confidentiality are different. There is no confidentiality between co-parents in this process. This means that information shared with me individually may be discussed in joint sessions or used to inform our work together. That said, I do not share information behind either parent’s back, nor do I act as a messenger or intermediary. Rather, I use information shared in individual sessions to help each parent prepare to raise concerns or communicate more effectively directly with the other parent. I do not facilitate indirect communication, nor do I deliver messages on a parent’s behalf.
In cases where there is a restraining Order in place, I will not proceed with coparenting counseling unless the Order explicitly allows for participation in this process as an exception. Additionally, if I determine there is an ongoing dynamic of coercion, control or emotional or physical abuse that compromises the integrity of the coparenting process, recommendations for a more appropriate service will be made.
Insurance and Fee Structure
Coparenting therapy is not considered a medically necessary clinical service and therefore is not covered by health insurance. My services are provided on a private pay basis and operate under a retainer model. An initial retainer is required before services begin, and all time spent on the case is billed against that retainer. As the retainer is spent down, additional replenishments will be requested to continue services. For current rates and retainer requirements please contact the practice directly.