Reflect's Reunification Therapy Practices

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I conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant information pertaining to a case, which may include TalkingParents communications, motions and responses, court orders, audio or video materials, police reports, and child-protection records, when available and appropriate. This holistic review allows me to understand how the family arrived at the current level of conflict and the circumstances that led to reunification or reintegration therapy. I assess patterns of communication between parties and provide an objective analysis of each party’s communication style, including strengths, challenges, and areas where misalignment or escalation may be occurring, with the goal of identifying barriers to repair and offering tools to support healthier interactions.

I want to be clear that there are cases in which abuse is present—whether overt or covert—and I take such concerns seriously. My role is not to minimize or dismiss allegations, but to carefully evaluate available information, observe relational dynamics, and maintain a child-focused, safety-oriented lens. When concerns arise, they are considered within the broader context of the case, informed by evidence, professional standards, and the limits of my role. My objective is to provide clients and the Court with a clear, balanced understanding of the dynamics at play, while supporting interventions that prioritize the child’s emotional well-being, safety, and long-term relational health.

My practice is informed by an attachment-based, family systems framework for understanding severe and persistent disruptions in parent–child relationships that may arise in the context of high-conflict separation, divorce, or ongoing litigation. Some professional literature, including the work of Dr. Craig Childress, uses terms such as “pathogenic parenting” to describe patterns of caregiving behavior that may interfere with a child’s attachment processes and contribute to relational distress. Within my practice, such terms are used solely as theoretical constructs and not as diagnoses, labels, or legal determinations. 

When working with families, I focus on what can be directly observed, rather than making assumptions about intent, blame, or causation. This includes observing communication patterns between parents, the child’s emotional presentation, and relational dynamics that may be clinically relevant to the child’s functioning. These observations are not diagnoses and are not conclusions about fault, abuse, or credibility. 

They are considered within established psychological constructs, including attachment theory, developmental trauma, and family systems principles, and are evaluated in light of the child’s age, developmental stage, and presenting concerns. The purpose of identifying these patterns is to better understand the child’s experience and to inform clinically appropriate intervention.

When I observe patterns that raise clinical concern regarding emotional regulation, boundary stability, or relational functioning, I approach these concerns with care and professional restraint. My focus remains on how such patterns may affect the child’s emotional experience, sense of safety, and capacity to maintain healthy relationships, rather than on assigning diagnoses or attributing intent.

Certain patterns described in the psychological literature—such as intense fear of abandonment, black-and-white thinking, difficulty tolerating perceived rejection, or reliance on the child for emotional regulation—may be associated with broader personality-based functioning. In my practice, these patterns are understood as descriptive clinical considerations, not determinations of disorders or fault.

When concerns of this nature arise and appear to have potential clinical significance, I may recommend referral for further evaluation by an appropriately qualified provider to assess individual functioning and the impact of these dynamics on the family system. Any such recommendations are made within the limits of my licensure and are not intended to constitute a forensic opinion or legal conclusion.

My role is limited to providing clinical assessment, therapeutic intervention, and professional consultation within the scope of my licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I do not render forensic opinions, custody recommendations, or legal determinations unless expressly authorized and appropriately scoped by court order. All services are provided in accordance with my education, training, and professional experience, and all representations regarding my role, qualifications, and opinions are made accurately and without exaggeration. 

The overarching goal of this work is to support a developmentally informed, child-focused understanding of relational dynamics and to guide interventions that promote emotional well-being, safety, and long-term relational health, consistent with professional and ethical standards.