Reunification therapy is focused on assisting children rebuild or maintain a relationship with a parent. There are many reasons why children resist or refuse to spend time with a parent and it is essential that children are supported to understand that they are able to have a meaningful relationship with both parents regardless of where they live.
Reunification therapy is conducted following separate intake interviews of both parents. Sessions are then conducted with the child/ren to establish a trusting relationship between the therapist and child/ren. There is no set timeframe when working with children to re-establish a relationship with a parent and individual sessions are provided to each parent separately to assist them support their child/ren in understanding the family dynamics.
Denise’s practice is located in Benowa, directly behind Pindara Hospital. She also conducts sessions with children and parents remotely via Microsoft Teams to ensure families in regional areas have access to services.
BEHAVIOUS INDICATIVE OF CHILDREN WHO RESIST CONTACT WITH A PARENT
- Inconsistent behaviour, including degrees of resistance, in the presence of the primary parent as opposed to when that parent is absent;
- Inconsistency between what is stated or alleged about rejected parent and how child behaves with secondary parent;
- Opinion of each parent is rigid, one-sided, all good or all bad; idealises one parent and devalues the other; refusal or reticence to consider alternate views, explanations;
- Weak, trivial, frivolous, unelaborated, false and irrational reasons to justify dislike, hatred, resistance or rejection of one parent;
BEHAVIOURS INDICATIVE OF A PRIMARY PARENT OPPOSED TO CONTACT OCCURRING
- Badmouthing, denigrating of secondary parent’s qualities, parenting, involvement with child;
- Believes or portrays secondary parent as dangerous (harmful, angry, mean) or sick; convinced of harm or abuse by secondary parent, despite absence of evidence; especially concerning if there are repeated unfounded allegations of sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse despite independent investigations do not support;
- Portrays self as parent who was the only “real” or involved parent;
- Believes other parent is not “worthy” of relationship with the child/ren or has abandoned child;
- Acts fearful and/or suspicious of secondary parent in front of child; instils fear and rejection of secondary parent;
- Fosters dependency on and need for protector of child in favoured parent;
BEHAVIOURS INDICATIVE OF PARENT WHO HAS NO RELATIONSHIP WITH CHILD
- Lax or intermittently rigid or punitive parenting style;
- Outrage at child’s challenge to his/her authority;
- Passivity or withdrawal in face of conflict;
- Feelings of helplessness in response to child’s dramatically changed behaviour;
- Immature, self-centred in relation to child;
- Puts own needs ahead of child;
- Loses temper, angry, demanding, intimidating character traits, but not to level of abuse;
- Counter-rejecting behaviour towards child in response to child’s rejection;
- Lacks empathic connection to child;
If you would like more information regarding the reunification services please contact Denise via email or her mobile telephone number.