Parenting Coordination

Debra Carter, PhD is the co-founder and clinical director of the National Cooperative Parenting Center in Bradenton, FL. She also owns and operates a clinical and forensic psychology practice at the Carter Psychology Center, where she offers psychotherapy, evaluation, mediation, and parenting coordination services. She has -authored two books on parenting coordination and several scholarly articles highlighting her research on parenting coordination.

Introduction

A. Divorce Resolution in U.S.
B. Evolution of Parenting Coordination
C. Benefits for Parents, Children, Courts and Society



Chapter One: Parenting Coordination: An Integrated Model



A. A Brief History
B. Therapeutic Skills
C. Evaluator Skills
D. Mediator Skills
E. Educator Skills
F. Consultant Skills
G. Integration of Hybrid Role



Chapter Two: Parenting Coordination Procedures



A. When Does a PC Become Involved with a Family?
B. How Does a PC Become Involved with a Family?
C. Direction & Authority - The Court Order
D. Contract with Parties
E. Data Gathering
F. Appointments
G. Communication
H. Documentation



Chapter Three: Organizing the PC Work



A. Screening Procedures
B. Overt Sources of Conflict
C. Covert Sources of Conflict
D. Identifying Parent Interaction Style
E. Building a Support Team for the Family



Chapter Four: Conflict Analysis, Identification, and Management (AIM)



A. History of Conflict
B. Analysis of Conflict
C. Identifying Types of Conflict
D. Intractable Conflict and Underlying Causes
E. Conflict Management Styles



Chapter Five: PC Strategies



A. Formulating an Effective Approach
B. Focus on the Goal
C. Creating an Infrastructure of Empowerment
D. Building Scaffolding for Healthy Children & Families



Chapter Six: PC Techniques



A. Interventions in PC
B. Changing the Frame of the Conflict
C. Options for Conflict Management
D. When Negotiation and Compromise are not the Solution



Chapter Seven: The Parenting Plan (PP)



A. Definition
B. What should it include?
C. Anticipating and Preparing for change
a. Developmental Needs of Children
b. Evolving Family Definition
c. Unanticipated Exigencies
d. PC's Role in Modification of the PP



Chapter Eight: Special Topics



A. Parental Alienation, Estrangement, and Disengagement
B. Attachment Issues
C. Mentally Ill Parents
D. Addicted Parents
E. Domestic Violence
F. Abusive Parents



Chapter Nine: Troubleshooting



A. When PC is No Longer Effective or Appropriate
B. Protection for All
C. Monitoring Professional Boundaries and Well-Being
D. Ethical Dilemmas



Appendices



Sample Orders
Sample Parenting Plans
Training Guidelines
Standards of Practice
Ethical Guidelines



Tables


Sample PC Statues
PC Programs in the U.S. and other countries



Resources


Bibliography
Useful Websites