The way we talk to our children
becomes their inner voice
Always parent in your child’s best interest,
even if it bruises your ego
Let’s be honest… getting divorced can be stressful and overwhelming.
There are a lot of new rules and responsibilities to become acquainted with as a single parent in a coparenting relationship after the breakup.
The term “co-parenting” was coined to describe a parenting relationship in which the two parents of a child are no longer involved but still assume joint responsibility for raising their child.
In co-parent coaching the emphasis is always on what is in the best interests of the children.
Sessions are focused on moving the parents from adversaries to becoming advocates for their children, from an uneasy coalition to a positive parenting alliance.
Co-parent coaching is designed to help you and your ex establish a new relationship as co-parents to provide structure and stability so your children have a better experience and less negative impact within the divorce situation.
Your ex isn’t your child’s ex
they didn’t choose to divorce
Co-parent coaching can take place with two parents who live nearby, with one partner out of state and/or with one or both partners remarried.
We sit down with both parents to create an agreed-upon coparent coaching plan that involves important decisions about your child’s welfare, such as education, medical care, discipline and exposure to new romantic partners, to name a few.
At Catapult Counseling we help you learn new ways to communicate and resolve conflict; critical skill since both parents need to be on the same page when it comes to coparenting.
Our process is guided by the foundational principles inherent in effective co-parenting:
- Focusing on the well-being of your child and yourselves
- Acting with honesty, transparency and candor
- Demonstrating cooperation, respect, integrity and dignity
- Identifying and addressing the interests and needs of all
- Committing to resolve matters directly and without court intervention
Your kids wellbeing
might be the only thing you agree on now
Ultimately, effective Co-parent Coaching helps mitigate the social and emotional consequences of a divorce or separation.
Co-parenting does not take away all of the pain of a split, but it does reduce the damage and provides a safe environment in which children can successfully integrate the sadness of the breakup into their development.
Some of the benefits of coparent coaching:
- Increasing children’s sense of security and reducing stress.
- Observing their parents model respectful conflict resolution skills
- Minimizing the disruption and improving communication in the children’s relationship with each parent
- Reducing the risk of adolescent drug, alcohol, and sexual behavior
It's not a competition between two homes
It’s two parents doing what’s best for the kids
Despite the many challenges of a breakup, it is possible to develop a cordial working relationship with your ex for the sake of your children.
The Catapult Counseling Group Co-parent Coaching helps you can remain calm, stay consistent, and avoid or resolve conflict with your ex to make joint custody work.
Our services are designed for any parents struggling with how to parent together without conflict, especially after an acrimonious split.
And while it’s true that co-parenting isn’t always easy, it is the best way to ensure your children’s needs are met and they are able to retain close relationships with both parents.
Help your kids be “just kids”
Not “kids of divorce”
As pediatricians, child psychiatrists/psychologists and school counselors, we know that divorce clearly increases the risk that children of all ages will suffer from psychological and behavioral problems.
Children traumatized by divorce may develop problems with anger, aggression, stress or depression to name a few of the many consequences.
Often the cause of these behaviors can be traced back to conflicts around co-parenting or the lack thereof. Helping divorced parents form a secure co-parenting relationship reduces traumatic effects of divorce on kids of all ages.
At Catapult Counseling Group we collaborate with health care professionals to ensure their patients and families receive the full spectrum of professional support they need to make positive co-parenting decisions.
Children are resilient. And when parents do a reasonably good job managing the stress of divorce everyone fares better.
Divorce Attorneys
We’re here to help your clients
Divorce attorneys, counselors and co-parent coaches all agree that shared-custody arrangements work best when both parents are cooperative, respectful, agree on shared custody, and manage their emotions, especially in front of their kids.
Making emotionally charged decisions can be difficult for any family.
As trained professionals, our services work in conjunction with the legal process. We collaborate with divorce lawyers by helping co-parents managing the intense emotions that can be unleashed in the co-parent planning process.
Helping ex’s draft a mutually agreed upon co-parent plan putting the needs of their children as the center piece of the Agreement, ensures the best outcome for everyone involved.
“What I love most about working with Heather, is her ability to listen and offer feedback that doesn’t feel like advice.
She helped me decide what I want to do with my life and stop pleasing others.
She validated my feelings and helped me build confidence in my decision-making process.” -Client