Parnting Coordination in Family Violence Cases

Navigating High-Risk Dynamics with Safety and Transparency

In cases involving family violence—whether physical, psychological, or financial—the goal shifts from "simple communication" to active containment. My role is to remain strictly impartial toward parents while being fiercely partial to the Best Interests of the Child.

Our methodology is designed to ensure the PC process itself does not become a tool for further harm.

1. Managing the Dynamic: The "String-Puller" vs. The "Reactive" Parent

Family violence often manifests as a power imbalance. One party may be "pulling the strings" through subtle manipulation, while the other is "reacting" to perceived or real threats.

Boundary Management: To remain effective, I avoid over-engaging with one party’s reactivity at the expense of the other's manipulation.

The Power of Shuttle Mediation

While joint sessions are a goal, we often utilize separate (shuttle) sessions to prevent the PC process from being used as a platform for intimidation. The integrity of this process is paramount. If I determine the PC process is perpetuating family violence or that I can no longer safely control the dynamic, I have a professional duty to withdraw.

2. The Essential Role of the Counsellor

In violence-involved files, nervous systems are often stuck in "survival mode." This is why mandatory individual counselling is a pillar of my process.

I rely on your clinical professionals to help you move from a state of hyper-vigilance to a state where you can engage in business-like, child-focused negotiation. My job is the process; your counsellor’s job is your regulation. We use these professionals to ensure that our sessions aren't spent managing trauma responses, but rather making progress for your children.

3. Defining Violence and Measuring Capacity

The legal definition of family violence is broad—it includes psychological and financial abuse, which are present in almost every high-conflict PC file. However, my assessment focuses on two critical factors:

• Severity: The impact of the behavior on the children and the co-parenting dynamic.
• Malleability: The ability of a parent to learn new skills, respect boundaries, and move toward a non-violent interaction model.

4. Radical Transparency and Reporting

A fair process requires an audit trail. To prevent "he-said/she-said" escalations, our process is fully documented and transparent:

• Detailed Records: All activities are recorded and summarized.
• Clear Goals: We outline specific objectives for every stage of the process.
• Accountability: Detailed accounts and reports ensure that both parents—and the Court—can see exactly how decisions were reached.
   
  5. Efficient Resolution by Short-Form Determinations
  
  When coaching and mediation fail to resolve an issue, a decision must be made to protect the child’s stability. To save families the exhaustion of prolonged legal battles, I offer Short Form Determinations. These are streamlined, enforceable decisions that focus on:
• The Core Issue: Stripping away the "noise" to find the key facts.
• The Law: Centered on the Best Interests of the Child (s. 37 FLA).
• The Result: A final, binding decision that can be filed as a Court Order.
  
  Note on Fairness: If a party wishes to have a Short Form Determination reviewed by the Court, they must provide the necessary retainer for me to expand the facts and analysis. This ensures that the initial process remains low-cost and efficient for the family, while still allowing for judicial oversight.