At McCullough Family Therapy, we offer Reunification Therapy for both court-ordered and non-court-involved families
While each case is different, we use a 5 step approach which is outlined below:
PHASE 1: Assessment
The child/teen is identified as the primary client. Separate intake sessions with each family member are held, during which informed consent, the protocol, and limits of the therapist’s role are reviewed. Other objectives are to determine oversight authority, learn family history, and assess the current situation. Recommendations for additional services are made per the assessment and a treatment team may be formed (strongly recommended in high conflict, complex cases).
PHASE 2: Preparation
The second phase consists of separate but parallel meetings to prepare each family member for their pending joint work. Frequency of sessions is determined by each family’s circumstance and clinical presentation; a weekly session with at least one family member is generally recommended. Number of sessions and duration of treatment is unknown in advance and needs to be addressed in an ongoing manner. The objective for Phase Two is for parent and child/teen to prepare to meet together, for the child/teen to express their thoughts and feelings about what has happened in relationship with their parent, and for the child/teen to have an experience of being understood by that parent. Advance preparation addresses child-related issues, such as any resistance of the child to meet with their parent, emotional readiness for the work, and consideration of what they want to say to the parent. Preparation for the parent may address issues such as larger family or personal dynamics or a parent’s readiness to receive what the child may say. It is important in order to maintain a child-centered focus so the parent will be ready to respond to their child, who is generally overcome with intense emotions. Joint family sessions begin when both parent and child are ready, as assessed by the therapist(s).
PHASE 3: Joint family sessions
Parent and child/teen are supported to have Healing Conversations® with each other about what has happened in their relationship and begin to explore ways they can heal. Initial exchanges are primarily one-way: from child to parent, with the parent expressing understanding of the child’s experience. Working with issues related to trust, a sense of betrayal, an experience of injury, and anger are common themes. The parent is supported to be emotionally available to the child, especially early on. Later, issues of mutuality may arise.
PHASE 4: Progression
Depending on the parenting plan and Court orders, there may be monitored progression to unsupervised time, outside of the therapist’s office. The initial transition may entail a “check in – check out” procedure, wherein family members meet at the therapist’s office to “check in”, depart for a specified time to engage in an agreed-upon outing, and return to the office for a “check out” debriefing and therapy. As progress continues, check in and check out may be conducted over the phone. The parenting plan and/or Court determine how much time family members may spend together. There may be incremental increases in time, from a couple hours up to a full day. There may be parenting time on more than one day a week. The amount of other types of contact (phone, Skype, presence at sports events) may also be addressed or implemented within the parenting plan and/or Court orders.
PHASE 5: Completion of Reunification
Depending on the parenting plan and/or Court orders, there may be monitored progression to overnight parenting time, with ongoing reunification therapy. Planned termination occurs when the parent and child have met the objectives for their situation.
MCCULLOUGH FAMILY THERAPY
Therapists Offering Reunification Therapy
Dr. Jorge Sanchez
MS, LMHC, Psy.D.
Nathan Fierheller
MSW, LCSW
Samantha Forman
Licensed Professional Counselor
Christine Homan
Athena McCullough
Owner, Clinical Director
How To Get Started
Start with McCullough Family Therapy by booking a free consultation. You can use the button below to book a Reunification Therapy consultation directly online. If you prefer, you can call us or submit an inquiry via our contact form.