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What happens in co-parenting counseling?
Co-parenting usually refers to the shared responsibility of raising a child after parents separate or divorce. Even when both parents want what is best for their child, co-parenting can bring stress, conflict, and major adjustment for the whole family. In co-parenting counseling, a therapist helps parents work through these challenges. Common topics in co-parenting counseling include communication difficulties, parenting differences, and their child’s well-being.
In many cases, co-parents attend counseling sessions together, allowing the counselor to help them practice communication and problem-solving in “real-time”. Depending on the situation, one or both parents may also meet individually with the therapist before or during the counseling process.
In many cases, co-parents attend counseling sessions together, allowing the counselor to help them practice communication and problem-solving in “real-time”. Depending on the situation, one or both parents may also meet individually with the therapist before or during the counseling process.
How do I know if co-parenting counseling is right for our situation?
In most cases, co-parenting counseling is voluntarily sought by parents; however, it may also be court-ordered in certain family law cases. When counseling is not required, there is no single sign that a family “needs” it. Some parents begin counseling early to help everyone adjust to new roles, routines, and expectations before any more significant conflict emerges.
Counseling may be especially helpful, however, when parents are dealing with ongoing communication problems, repeated disagreements about parenting decisions, or difficulty helping a child adjust between homes. If the same issues keep coming up despite your efforts to resolve them, co-parenting counseling can offer a more structured and supportive way to move forward.
Counseling may be especially helpful, however, when parents are dealing with ongoing communication problems, repeated disagreements about parenting decisions, or difficulty helping a child adjust between homes. If the same issues keep coming up despite your efforts to resolve them, co-parenting counseling can offer a more structured and supportive way to move forward.
Do both parents have to agree to attend co-parenting counseling?
If co-parenting counseling is court-ordered, it may be required that both parents attend counseling for an allotted amount of time. However, for those voluntarily seeking co-parenting counseling, it is up to you and your counselor to decide who will attend sessions. Many therapists encourage both parents to attend sessions, but if one parent is particularly reluctant, unavailable, or if there are safety concerns, one parent may choose to attend counseling on their own. Individual support can still help a parent improve their own communication skills, set boundaries, and respond to co-parenting challenges more effectively.
How do I bring up co-parenting counseling to a reluctant co-parent?
It can help to frame co-parenting counseling around your child’s well-being, rather than blame or criticism toward the co-parent. For example, you might say that you want to create more consistency for the child across households or help the child navigate school challenges in a more effective way.
Timing also matters when bringing up the topic of counseling. It is usually best not to raise the idea during an argument or moment of high tension. Instead, choose a calm time, and offer the other parent a say in choosing the therapist, scheduling sessions, or deciding what goals to focus on in sessions.
Timing also matters when bringing up the topic of counseling. It is usually best not to raise the idea during an argument or moment of high tension. Instead, choose a calm time, and offer the other parent a say in choosing the therapist, scheduling sessions, or deciding what goals to focus on in sessions.