Reunification Therapy is a specialized form of family therapy that is usually court ordered and is provided in response to a child (or children) resisting contact with a parent in a high conflict divorce or separation case. Reunification therapy addresses the needs of the whole family where traits of alienation, estrangement, or an unhealthy alignment with the preferred parent occurs resulting in the child’s resistance to visitation or contact with the non-preferred parent.

There are usually a number of reasons or factors that cause the child to resist the non-preferred parent. As a therapist, I will work with the whole family (with the primary focus on the child) to identify the factors that are causing the breakdown in the parent-child relationship and develop a reunification plan to address or target these specific factors.

Potential benefits for the child include reduction of stress, anxiety, anger, and resistance toward the non-preferred parent; improved critical thinking and conflict management skills; and, a greater understanding of how to avoid getting caught up in their parent’s issues. The potential benefits to the parents include reduction of parental stress, conflict, and repeated mistakes; improved parenting effectiveness; and, developing a healthier, balanced family relationship.