Court-Ordered Parent Coaching
When a the court, guardian ad litem, or parenting coordinator recommends parent coaching, it can feel like one more thing being done to you. I get it. My job is not to judge how you got here — it is to help you move forward, for your sake and for your children.
Your Children Are Caught in the Middle — and They Need You to Show Up
High-conflict separation takes a toll on everyone, but children carry it differently. They absorb the tension. They hear things they should not hear. They learn to walk on eggshells between two homes. They stop talking about one parent in front of the other. Some act out. Some go quiet. Either way, they are managing adult-sized stress with child-sized tools.
Court-ordered parent coaching exists because the court has recognized that your children need the conflict around them to decrease. That is not a judgment on you as a parent — it is an acknowledgment that your kids are stuck in the middle of something they did not choose, and they need the adults in their life to find a better path.
That is what I help you do.
What Court-Ordered Parent Coaching Looks Like
We meet via Zoom for structured, one-hour sessions. This is not therapy. It is practical, forward-focused work designed to:
- Reduce conflict and emotional reactivity in your co-parenting relationship
- Develop communication strategies that protect your children from being caught in the middle
- Build realistic parenting plans and routines that actually work across two homes
- Help you respond rather than react — even when your co-parent makes it difficult
- Give you tools to manage your own stress, regulation, and decision-making under pressure
You set the pace. Some parents come weekly, others check in monthly. There are no packages and no long-term commitments — you book when you need it.
Who Refers Parents to Me
Most of my court-ordered clients are referred by:
- Guardians ad litem (GALs) who have identified that one or both parents would benefit from structured coaching support
- Family law attorneys looking for a practical, child-focused resource for their clients
- Parenting coordinators (PCs) working with high-conflict families who need additional coaching support between coordination sessions
- Courts that have included parent coaching as part of a custody or parenting order
- Existing clients — parents I have worked with who refer their co-parent, a friend, or a colleague going through a similar situation
If you have been referred and are unsure what to expect, that is completely normal. You are welcome to book a free 30-minute consultation to ask questions before committing to anything.
My Approach
I am a Registered Child and Youth Care Practitioner with over 25 years of experience working directly with children and families in crisis — including 18 years as a foster parent for the Children’s Aid Society. I have sat with children who are caught between parents. I have seen what high-conflict separation does to kids over time, and I have seen what changes when even one parent starts doing things differently.
My coaching is:
- Child-focused — every strategy comes back to what is best for your children
- Direct and honest — I will not sugarcoat things, but I am genuinely in your corner
- Neutral — I do not take sides, even when one parent is harder to work with than the other
- Practical — no jargon, no abstract theory, just clear tools you can use this week
- Structured — sessions have purpose and direction, not open-ended venting (but I do allow time for that too as an outlet often helps)
I work with each parent individually in high-conflict situations. Where conflict is especially high, I also offer shuttle sessions — working with each parent separately to help both sides understand the other’s perspective, with the children’s wellbeing always at the center.
Documentation and Court Communication
If your court order requires written documentation, I can provide:
- Session summaries
- Professional correspondence with your legal team, GAL, or parenting coordinator
- Progress updates as requested by the court
Administrative time beyond our sessions is billed at the same hourly rate. We discuss this clearly before we begin so there are no surprises.
Common Questions
I did not choose this. Do I have to want to be here for it to work?
No. Many of my most successful clients started out skeptical or frustrated about being court-ordered. You do not have to agree with the process to benefit from it. I meet you where you are.
Will you tell the court what I say?
I maintain appropriate professional boundaries. If documentation is required by your order, we discuss exactly what that looks like before we begin. There are no surprises.
Do you work with both parents?
Yes, but separately in high-conflict situations. This creates a safer space and avoids escalation.
Is this therapy?
No. Parent coaching is practical, structured, and forward-focused. I do not diagnose, treat, or provide psychological services. If therapy is needed, I will say so and point you toward appropriate resources.
How much does it cost?
Sessions are $140 CAD per hour. No packages, no commitments.
Ready to Talk?
Book a free 30-minute consultation — no pressure, no commitment. Just a conversation about what you are going through and how I might help.