Coparenting Counseling for Real Life Parenting Across Two Homes
Coparent counseling is a service available to parents experiencing troubles with communication, boundaries, or simply dealing with tension related to coparenting between 2 homes. Coparenting counseling is helpful to parents to find new ways to improve effective ways to navigate disagreements while best supporting the child(ren) between homes.
You do not have to like each other to coparent well. And you do not have to attend counseling together to make meaningful changes.
Shared Families provides individualized coparenting counseling for separated, divorced, and never-married parents who want practical help navigating communication, boundaries, parenting differences, new partners, conflict, and the ongoing realities of raising children across households.
Whether you are newly separated, years into a difficult parenting dynamic, navigating a blended family, or trying to figure out how to respond when the other parent will not participate in counseling, the focus is on helping you manage your part of the parenting relationship in a healthier, more effective way.
Services
We provide 3 types of coparenting services: individual parent sessions, joint parent, and coparenting training (online). Sessions are designed to best support the current parent dynamic in a safe supportive way while identifying the parents strengths and challenges.
Individual Parent Sessions
Sessions are for the parent to address their specific needs and challenges without the fear of increasing tension between parents with a therapist. Individual sessions are up to 60 minutes and can include step parents and other supportive parties involved in the child(ren)'s care.
Joint Parent Sessions
Sessions are focused on working with both parents involved in the custody agreement/disagreements. Both parents must be agreeable and willing to participate. These sessions run up to 90 minutes. For sessions to be successful it is important that individual parents demonstrate the ability and willingness to wait their turn to talk and to refrain from negative/derogatory statements
Coparenting Training (online)
Sometimes you primarily need information, practical parenting strategies, or a program to satisfy a parenting-education requirement. Shared Families is an affiliate of the eNew Beginnings Program, an evidence-based online parenting education program designed for separated and divorced parents.
You do not need to wait for the other parent to agree to counseling before working on what is within your control.
Getting Started:
1. Email Amanda: Contact amanda@familiesnwa.com and let her know you’re interested in coparenting counseling.
2. Schedule an individual intake: Parents begin with separate intake appointments. Individual in-person sessions are typically 60 minutes.
3. Decide what frequency works for you: There is no predetermined number of sessions. Depending on your needs, follow-up appointments may be scheduled: Weekly | Every other week* | Monthly (when initially starting, every other week is the most reccommended frequency)
** Because appointment availability can vary, clients who know they would like ongoing support are encouraged to establish a regular schedule during the initial appointment rather than relying exclusively on as-needed scheduling. **
4. Adjust as things change: Frequency and goals can change over time. Joint sessions or telehealth may also be considered depending on the circumstances.
Shared Families does not conduct custody evaluations and does not make custody recommendations.
Coparenting counseling is therapeutic and skill-focused. It is not an evaluation designed to determine which parent should receive custody.
About
Amanda Childs, LCSW
Amanda Childs, LCSW, provides coparenting counseling through Shared Families of NWA.
Her background includes:
-
9 years providing coparenting counseling
-
12 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
-
20+ years of experience involving court and forensic systems
-
Training in forensic social work, court testimony, and legal-system issues affecting clinical practice
Her approach is practical, direct, and focused on helping parents understand what they can control while keeping children’s needs at the center of decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both parents have to participate?
No. Coparenting counseling can be provided individually, and many clients begin counseling specifically because the other parent is unwilling or unavailable to participate.
Can we attend together?
Possibly. Joint sessions are considered individually. Both parents must first complete separate intake appointments.
Do we have to have been married?
No. Services are available to separated parents regardless of marital status.
Do you work with court-ordered clients?
Yes, depending on the circumstances of the referral.
Will you recommend who should have custody?
No. Shared Families does not conduct custody evaluations or make custody recommendations.
How long will I need counseling?
There is no predetermined length of treatment. Frequency and duration are based on your goals and needs.
Can I attend by telehealth?
Telehealth may be available following the initial intake when appropriate for the client’s circumstances and clinical needs.
What if I only need a parenting class?
You may want to consider eNew Beginnings, an online parenting-education program for separated and divorced parents.
What if my coparent refuses counseling?
You can still participate individually. A significant focus of counseling is learning how to manage the parts of the parenting relationship that are within your control.
