Services
Professional Support for High-Conflict Co-Parenting Challenges
At Advanced Therapy Center, Dr. Mark Lovinger provides specialized Parent Coordination services designed to help high-conflict divorced or separated parents implement parenting plans effectively and resolve disputes without repeated court intervention. This structured service helps parents develop healthier communication patterns while focusing on their children’s best interests during challenging family transitions.
Understanding Parent Coordination
Parent Coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution process designed specifically for parents experiencing ongoing high conflict following separation or divorce. As a Parent Coordinator, Dr. Lovinger serves as a neutral third party who helps parents implement their parenting plan, resolve disputes as they arise, and protect children from the harmful effects of ongoing parental conflict.
This specialized service combines elements of education, mediation, coaching, and limited decision-making authority (when granted by the court or agreed upon by parents) to help families establish more effective co-parenting relationships despite persistent disagreements.
When Parent Coordination Is Beneficial
Parent Coordination is particularly valuable for families experiencing:
- Persistent high conflict despite having a parenting plan in place
- Difficulty implementing court orders or parenting agreements
- Recurring litigation over parenting issues
- Ineffective or hostile communication patterns
- Inability to reach joint decisions regarding children
- Children showing signs of distress due to ongoing parental conflict
- Complex scheduling challenges or frequent disruptions to visitation
- Allegations of parental alienation or gatekeeping behaviors
By providing structure, education, and accountability, Parent Coordination often succeeds where other interventions have been unsuccessful in reducing conflict and improving co-parenting functioning.
The Parent Coordination Process
When Parent Coordination Is Beneficial
The Parent Coordination process begins with a thorough assessment of family dynamics, legal parameters, and specific areas of conflict. During this phase, Dr. Lovinger:
- Reviews court orders, parenting plans, and relevant case history
- Meets individually with each parent to understand perspectives and concerns
- Establishes the parameters of the Parent Coordination relationship
- Develops a written agreement or order detailing the scope of services
- Identifies specific goals and focus areas for the Parent Coordination process
Education and Skill Development
A fundamental component of Parent Coordination involves helping parents understand:
- The impact of conflict on children’s development and adjustment
- Effective communication techniques for high-conflict situations
- Strategies for child-focused decision making
- Approaches to managing triggers and emotional reactions
- Methods for disengaging from unproductive conflict patterns
- Techniques for parallel parenting when necessary
Ongoing Support and Coordination
Once established, Parent Coordination typically involves:
- Regular joint sessions to address specific issues and review progress
- Facilitated discussion of emerging co-parenting challenges
- Development of protocols for handling recurring issues
- Creation of detailed implementation plans for parenting time and transitions
- Assistance with holiday scheduling and special occasions
- Support during challenging transitions or family changes
Dispute Resolution
When disagreements arise, Dr. Lovinger utilizes a structured approach to resolution that includes:
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Facilitating direct communication between parents when appropriate
- Gathering relevant information from both perspectives
- Considering children’s needs and developmental requirements
- Applying provisions of existing court orders and agreements
- Making recommendations or decisions (when authorized) to resolve impasses
- Documenting resolutions for future reference and accountability
Decision-Making Authority
Depending on legal parameters and parental agreement, Dr. Lovinger’s role may include:
- Advisory recommendations that parents can accept or reject
- Decision-making authority on specified minor issues when parents reach impasse
- Recommendations to the court when issues exceed the scope of Parent Coordination
- Clarification of existing orders when interpretation differences arise
Benefits of Professional Parent Coordination
Protection of Children's Emotional Well-being
By reducing their exposure to parental conflict and establishing more predictable routines, Parent Coordination helps shield children from the harmful effects of ongoing family discord.
Reduced Litigation and Court Involvement
Parent Coordination provides an alternative forum for resolving disagreements, significantly reducing the need for repeated court appearances and associated costs.
Development of Sustainable Co-Parenting Skills
By reducing their exposure to parental conflict and establishing more predictable routines, Parent Coordination helps shield children from the harmful effects of ongoing family discord.
More Effective Implementation of Parenting Plans
Specific, detailed protocols developed through Parent Coordination help eliminate ambiguities that often lead to conflict in parenting agreements.
Improved Communication Patterns
Even in high-conflict situations, Parent Coordination helps establish businesslike communication methods that focus on children's needs rather than parental conflicts.
Preservation of Parental Relationships
By reducing conflict and facilitating more positive interactions, Parent Coordination helps preserve children's relationships with both parents during family restructuring.
Dr. Lovinger's Approach to Parent Coordination
Dr. Lovinger brings specialized training in both child development and high-conflict family dynamics to his work as a Parent Coordinator. His approach emphasizes:
Child-Centered Focus
All recommendations and interventions prioritize children's developmental needs and emotional well-being above parental preferences or conveniences.
Impartiality and Balanced Perspective
As a neutral professional, Dr. Lovinger maintains objectivity while working with both parents, ensuring that all perspectives are considered without bias or favoritism.
Structured Conflict Management
By establishing clear boundaries, communication protocols, and dispute resolution procedures, Dr. Lovinger helps transform chaotic conflict into manageable disagreement.
Practical Problem-Solving
Rather than focusing extensively on past grievances, Parent Coordination emphasizes developing practical solutions to current co-parenting challenges.
Educational Approach
Dr. Lovinger helps parents understand the impact of their behaviors on children while providing concrete strategies for more effective co-parenting.
Documentation and Accountability
Clear documentation of agreements, decisions, and action plans ensures accountability and reduces misunderstandings between sessions.
The Parent Coordination Process
Consultation and Assessment
The process begins with an initial consultation to determine whether Parent Coordination is appropriate for your situation. This consultation addresses:
- Current co-parenting challenges and areas of conflict
- Legal parameters and existing court orders
- Goals for the Parent Coordination process
- Financial arrangements and time commitments
- Required participation from both parents
Establishment of Services
If Parent Coordination is deemed appropriate, Dr. Lovinger will:
- Meet individually with each parent
- Review relevant court documents and history
- Develop a Parent Coordination agreement or stipulated order
- Establish communication protocols between sessions
- Create a structured framework for addressing issues
Regular Sessions and Ongoing Support
Parent Coordination typically involves:
- Scheduled joint sessions (usually 60-90 minutes)
- Available communication between sessions for time-sensitive issues
- Periodic review of progress and adjustment of goals
- Documentation of agreements and decisions
- Coordination with legal counsel when appropriate
Investment in Effective Co-Parenting
Parent Coordination represents an investment in developing sustainable co-parenting skills that will benefit your family long after formal services conclude. The financial investment in quality Parent Coordination often saves significant legal costs by reducing court appearances while providing children with the stability they need during family transitions.
Dr. Lovinger’s specialized training and extensive experience in both child development and high-conflict dynamics allows him to address complex co-parenting challenges effectively and efficiently. The premium nature of these services reflects the intensive, specialized expertise required to navigate high-conflict family situations successfully.
Protection of Children's Emotional Well-being
By reducing their exposure to parental conflict and establishing more predictable routines, Parent Coordination helps shield children from the harmful effects of ongoing family discord.
Reduced Litigation and Court Involvement
Parent Coordination provides an alternative forum for resolving disagreements, significantly reducing the need for repeated court appearances and associated costs.
Development of Sustainable Co-Parenting Skills
By reducing their exposure to parental conflict and establishing more predictable routines, Parent Coordination helps shield children from the harmful effects of ongoing family discord.
More Effective Implementation of Parenting Plans
Specific, detailed protocols developed through Parent Coordination help eliminate ambiguities that often lead to conflict in parenting agreements.
Improved Communication Patterns
Even in high-conflict situations, Parent Coordination helps establish businesslike communication methods that focus on children's needs rather than parental conflicts.
Preservation of Parental Relationships
By reducing conflict and facilitating more positive interactions, Parent Coordination helps preserve children's relationships with both parents during family restructuring.
Schedule a Parent Coordination Consultation
To discuss Parent Coordination services or arrange an initial consultation, contact Advanced Therapy Center at [phone number]. Dr. Lovinger offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate parents’ work schedules and other commitments.
For optimal results, both parents should be willing to participate in the Parent Coordination process, though services can sometimes begin with one parent while working toward full participation.
Dr. Lovinger might use the assistance of support staff and other licensed professionals to assist him in the administration and scoring of testing.