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Dr Martin is available for Parenting Coordination.

Parenting Coordination is a structured, child-focused dispute resolution and case management process that helps high-conflict separated parents implement parenting plans or orders and manage day-to-day routines and co-parenting issues.

 

The Role of a Parenting Coordinator

  • Acts as a neutral, trained professional (often with a legal, psychological, or social science background).
  • Works with parents over a longer period, usually 12 to 24 months.
  • Provides education on child development and post-separation communication.
  • Helps interpret existing parenting orders and manage minor day-to-day disputes before they escalate.

 

The Main Goals of Parenting Coordination 

  • Protect children from ongoing emotional harm caused by parental conflict.
  • Improve communication by teach parents practical conflict management and problem-solving skills.
  • Ensure parents make consistent, developmentally appropriate decisions for their children.
  • Promote stable routines and cooperation for the well-being of the children.
  • Reduce litigation.

 

How Parenting Coordination Differs from Psychological Treatments and Therapy

  • Not Therapy: A Parenting Coordinator does not provide psychological treatments, counselling or therapy or psychological assessment. The role is educational and facilitative rather than clinical. 
  • Conflict Resolution: The focus is on helping parents implement existing orders, manage day-to-day disputes, and lower child exposure to conflict.
  • Not Confidential: Unlike traditional psychology sessions, parenting coordination is reportable to the court.

 

How Parenting Coordination Differs from Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)/ Mediation

  • Timing: Parenting Coordination and FDR/Mediation serve two completely different stages of a separation. While both use neutral third parties to help parents manage conflict, FDR/Mediation is designed to create a parenting agreement, whereas Parenting Coordination is designed to implement an agreement or court order that is already in place. 
  • Duration: Mediation is usually a short-term or one-off event, whereas parenting coordination is an ongoing monitoring and coaching relationship.
  • Confidentiality: A Parenting Coordinator is appointed either by a Family Court Judge through a court order (including consent orders) or jointly chosen and engaged directly by the parents through a private agreement or a parenting plan. A parenting coordinator can report to courts, lawyers, or judges to hold high-conflict parents accountable and protect the children’s best interests.

 

To obtain further information about Parenting Coordination or to obtain Dr Martin’s CV, availability, fees and terms of engagement please email: info@psychologicalsolutions.com.au