Purpose and Overview
Reunification therapy is a structured intervention designed to address disruptions in the parent-child relationship and promote safe, healthy, and meaningful contact. Many families seeking reunification services are navigating either refuse-resist dynamics or estrangement, both of which are understood through a systems-based, multimodal lens.
In the MMST (Multimodal Family Systems Therapy) framework, a refuse-resist dynamic occurs when a child shows reluctance, resistance, or outright refusal to spend time with a parent, often in the absence of a clear, singular cause. These dynamics typically emerge from a complex interaction of factors, including but not limited to high interparental conflict, loyalty conflicts, emotional pressure, prior misattunements, or problematic parenting behaviors from one or both parents. The child’s refusal is seen not as the product of a single “cause,” but rather as the result of cumulative, multifactorial influences within the family system. By contrast, estrangement occurs when a child’s resistance or refusal to engage with a parent is directly attributable to that parent’s own harmful, neglectful, or boundary-violating behaviors. In cases of estrangement, the child’s avoidant behavior is viewed as a protective response to experiences of emotional, psychological, or physical harm, and must be approached with particular sensitivity to safety and emotional regulation.
In both refuse-resist dynamics and estrangement, the goal of reunification therapy is to carefully assess the contributing factors, address underlying family system issues, and support the child in reestablishing (or establishing) a healthy, safe, and emotionally attuned relationship with their parent, when clinically appropriate. Throughout the process, the child’s emotional needs and psychological safety remain the central focus.
My Approach
My approach to reunification therapy is grounded in evidence-informed models that recognize the complexity of parent-child contact problems. I utilize the Multimodal Family Systems Therapy (MMST) model, which is specifically designed for families experiencing relational breakdowns due to emotional polarization, loyalty binds, and disrupted attachment. MMST is a structured, research-informed framework that integrates systemic, behavioral, developmental, and cognitive interventions. It provides a clear roadmap to assess, conceptualize, and intervene across multiple domains that may be contributing to the disruption.
This approach allows me to address the full range of contributing factors—helping to shift patterns of miscommunication, reduce emotional reactivity, and foster safe reconnection between the child and the parent. MMST informs every stage of the reunification process—from assessment to intervention—and provides the foundation for individualized, clinically responsive strategies. My role includes supporting children in expressing their views and working through their concerns, guiding parents in meeting their child’s emotional needs, and identifying behaviors from either parent that may be interfering with reconnection. I guide the reunification process by gradually working toward the designated parenting goals, while helping parents create a relational environment that fosters trust, emotional connection, and long-term stability for their child.
What to Expect in the Process
Reunification therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment phase that includes a review of legal and clinical documentation, individual interviews with each parent and child, and collateral input from other involved professionals as appropriate. The purpose of this phase is to understand the family system and the specific factors contributing to the contact disruption. Children are interviewed without parents present to allow for open dialogue. From there, clinical conceptualization is developed, and a tailored intervention strategy is proposed in writing.
Following assessment, the intervention phase begins. This may involve individual work with parents and children, co-parenting guidance, and joint sessions between the child and the reunifying parent. The process is structured and paced based on clinical judgment, with the goal of restoring meaningful and sustainable contact while ensuring the emotional safety of the child. While children’s readiness is always considered, they are not given the authority to determine whether the reunification process occurs. Avoidance is gently addressed, and both parents are expected to actively support the therapeutic process.
Role of the Parents
Both parents are essential participants in reunification therapy. Their willingness to participate, remain flexible, and make behavior changes directly impacts outcomes for the child. This includes encouraging the child’s participation in sessions, avoiding conflict or interrogation about the process, and following recommendations to reduce emotional burden placed on the child. Parents are also expected to respect boundaries around the therapeutic space, including not asking children about session content or speaking negatively about the process or the other parent. I provide clear guidance on how to reinforce the goals of therapy at home and in parenting interactions.
Neutrality and Transparency
Reunification therapy is a court-involved, non-confidential process in which I serve as a neutral mental health professional. I do not advocate for either parent. My focus is on the child’s emotional health, the integrity of the parent-child relationship and the health of the family system. To maintain neutrality, I ensure that both parents receive equal access to information, and all recommendations are based on observed behavior, clinical data, and the child’s best interests—not on either parent’s position or narrative.
Transparency is built into the structure of my work. All communications with my office are conducted in writing and shared with both parents. If reports or recommendations are provided to the court or counsel, they are shared with all parties at the same time. My goal is to create a process that is clear, impartial, and rooted in professional standards—helping families navigate forward with reduced confusion, bias, or triangulation.
Fees and Insurance
Reunification therapy is considered a forensic service, meaning it is not covered by health insurance plans. It is not classified as medically necessary treatment. Services are provided on an out-of-pocket basis and operate under a retainer model, with an initial retainer required before services begin. All time—including sessions, preparation, communication, and document review—is billed hourly against the retainer. For current fees and payment details, please contact the practice directly.
A Note on “Parental Alienation Syndrome”
While the term Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is widely known in public discourse, it is not recognized by major psychological or psychiatric associations, nor is it included in the DSM-5. Many experts in the field—including myself—intentionally avoid using this language, as it oversimplifies the complex, multifactorial nature of parent-child contact problems. The term has historically been associated with polarized thinking, misuse in litigation, and a lack of empirical grounding. Instead, I use research-informed frameworks such as Multimodal Family Systems Therapy (MMST), which consider the nuanced interaction of family dynamics, individual behaviors, developmental factors, and systemic influences that contribute to a child’s resistance or estrangement. This approach allows for careful, objective assessment and targeted intervention without prematurely assigning blame to one parent or pathologizing the child’s experience.