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What is Reunification Therapy?

What is Reunification Therapy?

April 7, 2021

Reunification Therapy After a Divorce

No matter the circumstances, divorce and separation are difficult for families. In most cases, parents are awarded joint custody as long as there haven't been any issues of neglect, domestic violence, and other circumstances that would prevent parents from being with their children. Both parents are awarded as much time as possible with their children as studies have shown that children are socially, emotionally, and academically better when both sets of parents are in their lives.
However, this isn't always the case when it comes to divorce and separation cases. Sometimes, parents and children lose touch due to one parent acting maliciously and preventing the other parent from seeing the children, a parent having to move away for work or family reasons, or one parent fails to make time to be with their children.  While reunification therapy may be ordered after a divorce, it can also be used in cases where a child has been removed from their home and is being released back to their parents after some time apart.

mom and daughter doing homework

Court-Ordered Counseling

When the parent-child bond has been weakened and families need some guidance to repair and strengthen the bond, they can turn to reunification therapy. Reunification therapy is designed to heal the relationship between a parent and child whose relationship has been impacted by divorce or separation. While some families can enter it voluntarily, some reunification counseling sessions are court-ordered in an effort to ensure children are not abandoned by a parent or a parent is not alienated from their children. Sometimes, family reunification is initiated by parents when they feel their family dynamic needs improvement.
When court-ordered counseling is assigned, there are some difficulties as each individual involved may not be willing to invest the time or energy in counseling. However, professional reunification therapists will work with families to learn the skills they need to cope with the past and improve the family dynamic moving forward. Reunification counseling sessions are usually held in-person, in an office. However, some sessions may be arranged to be completed in a home visit, at a foster parent's home, or another facility.

Father Reunification Therapy

Court-Ordered Counseling

Since this is a court-order counseling session, significant findings must be reported back to the court whether or not they have positive or negative outcomes. During these therapy sessions, the therapist will work with the entire family to create a better relationship. The first step is the family assessment. The therapist will meet with both parents separately to review the agreements and provide them with parental education revolving around family dynamics. They will help build trust and work toward creating positive results for their children.
Children are seen separately from parents and other siblings as this helps provide the child with a safe space from others affecting their comments or thinking. Children can discuss any complaints or concerns with the therapist. The therapist will help the child realize how important relationships with their parents are and the long-term benefits of these relationships.  After separate interviews, the therapist will begin seeing the child and the parents lacking the bond. During these family reunification sessions, the therapist helps children and parents address thoughts and emotions while coaching them to have positive interactions. The therapist can help them plan activities to do outside of reunification therapy and work towards increasing the amount of time spent with that parent until a normal relationship is created.

Contact Us for Reunification Counseling

Reunification counseling focuses on creating a better bond between parents and children as well as encouraging everyone in the family to engage in healthy behaviors. At Beckloff Behavioral Health Center we offer a variety of counseling services focused on helping children , teens , families, and adults grow and acquire new skills. Whether you need court-ordered counseling, divorce counseling, or child counseling services, our team can help. We also offer virtual counseling for your convenience. For more information or to speak with our team, please contact us today.

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Watching your child struggle with the changes that come with divorce can be heart-wrenching. They might feel lost, anxious, or even blame themselves. Post-divorce counseling can help address these feelings, providing a safe space for children to express their emotions and learn coping mechanisms. This blog post will explore how post-divorce counseling can support your child, ease the transition, and help children find stability and peace. How Does Divorce Affect Your Children? The effects of divorce on your children may vary based on their age, personality, and the circumstances surrounding the separation. Some common reactions your kids may experience include: ● Grief and Loss: They may experience a sense of loss and grief over the separation of their parents. They may feel like their family is breaking apart, and they may worry about what the future holds. ● Anxiety and Fear: Your kids may worry about where they will live, who will care for them, and if you and your ex will stop loving them. ● Anger and Frustration: Your children may feel angry and frustrated about family changes. They may direct this anger toward one or both parents, or they may act out in other ways. ● Guilt and Blame: Some children blame themselves for their parents' divorce, thinking that they did something to cause it. They may also feel guilty for wanting to spend time with one parent over the other. ● Difficulty with Transitions: Your children may struggle with transitions between your home or your ex’s, which can be stressful and disruptive to their routine. They may also need help adjusting to new rules and expectations in each household. How Can Post Divorce Counseling Benefit Your Children? Post-divorce counseling can be beneficial for your children in several ways: 1. Post-divorce therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for children to express their feelings about the divorce. This can help them process their emotions and cope with the changes in their family. 2. Counseling can help children understand why their parents divorced and what it means for their family. This can give them a sense of closure and help them accept the new reality. 3. Post-divorce counseling can help them develop healthy coping strategies to manage their emotions and deal with any difficulties that may arise. 4. A therapist can help children maintain a positive relationship with both parents, even after divorce. This can be especially helpful for children who may feel caught in their parents' conflicts. 5. Counseling can help children learn how to communicate effectively with their parents and express their needs and concerns. This can improve their relationships and help them feel more heard and understood. Emotional Support for Children Post Divorce in Dallas, TX Beckloff Behavioral Health Center in Dallas, TX, offers comprehensive counseling and assessment services for all ages, including specialized support for children from divorced families. Our child counseling services focus on helping children adjust to new circumstances, such as living arrangements, schools, visitation schedules, and potential new household members. We understand that these changes can be challenging, even for kids. Our goal is to support them in coping with, managing, and ultimately thriving through these transitions. Book an appointment with us today.
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