Treatment specialization includes:
Co-Parenting Counselling
Co-parenting through separation and divorce is often challenging, especially when emotions run high, and conflict escalates. Our work together will provide tools to help you manage these difficulties by focusing on what you can control: your own behavior and responses. I emphasize maintaining a calm, child-centered perspective to reduce conflict and keep interactions constructive, even when facing a high-conflict co-parent.
In our sessions, we’ll work together on strategies to help you:
- Manage Your Reactions While you can’t control the other parent’s actions, you can choose how to respond. This means managing your reactions and taking time out when necessary to avoid impulsive responses.
- Set Realistic Expectations People can behave unpredictably when under stress, especially in high-conflict situations. We’ll work together in anticipating these dynamics and preparing for unexpected behaviors, helping you stay focused on your goals rather than being pulled into reactive cycles.
- Communicate Effectively
- Stay Child-Centered
- Understand your children’s developmental stages and how poor co-parenting can impact it adversely.
My goal is to help you navigate co-parenting with confidence, clarity, and compassion for yourself and your children. By focusing on managing your responses and fostering a child-focused approach, you can create a more amicable co-parenting experience, regardless of the challenges that may arise.
Voice of the Child Reports
The Voice of the Child Report is a concise, court-directed summary that captures a child's or youth’s views on specific issues in their family law case, such as parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, or contact arrangements. This report is typically prepared for children over the age of seven and allows their perspectives to be considered without subjecting them to the complexities of legal proceedings.
What is a Voice of the Child (VOC) Report?
A Voice of the Child (VOC) report captures the perspectives and experiences of your child during or after a separation, helping to inform a parenting plan that reflects their needs and preferences. VOC reports are child-focused, providing valuable insights that can guide parenting decisions without the need for a full custody assessment.
Benefits of a VOC Report
No court order required – VOC reports can be initiated without needing a court directive.
Faster and less intrusive – A VOC is quicker and more straightforward than a full assessment, with no need for professional or personal collateral information or direct observations.
Cost-effective – Less expensive than a comprehensive custody assessment.
Flexible timing – VOC reports can be completed:
• Before physical separation to create a child-focused parenting plan.
• After separation to adjust or develop an existing parenting plan.
Supports mediation – A VOC report can be integrated into a lawyer-mediator’s process to help identify and assess the child’s views and preferences, aiding in out-of-court negotiations.
Focuses on the child’s voice – The process centers on understanding the child’s thoughts and feelings without putting pressure on them to "choose" between parents.
Adaptable to changing needs – As the child matures or family circumstances evolve, a VOC report can be updated to reflect the child’s current views and experiences.
Helpful in cases of contact resistance – If a child resists or refuses contact with a parent, a VOC can provide crucial insight before initiating reunification counseling.
Ongoing support – Follow-up interviews can be scheduled to check in on how the child is adapting to changes in parenting arrangements.
The VOC Report Process
1. Parent Interviews
o Separate interviews with each parent to gather background information and understand key concerns.
2. Child Interviews
o Two individual interviews with the child, typically spaced out over the assessment period.
o Each parent brings the child to one interview.
o The child’s experiences with school, friends, extracurricular activities, and family life in both homes will be explored.
o The goal is to understand the child’s perceptions of family dynamics and parental conflict before and after the separation.
o The child will not be asked where they want to live or any other leading questions.
3. Disclosure Meeting
o A verbal disclosure meeting is held with both parents, legal counsel, and a mediator (if involved).
o The child’s views and preferences, clinical impressions, and an analysis of the consistency and independence of their views will be shared.
4. Final Report
o A final sworn affidavit is prepared and submitted to both parents and legal counsel.
o If the disclosure meeting is held virtually, the report will be provided as a PDF, with a signed original copy sent to both parents and counsel.
How Long Does It Take?
• Once we’ve determined we’re a good fit to work together, the child interviews will be scheduled.
• The entire process, including the final sworn report, is typically completed within 30 days of the first interview.
What If the Case Goes to Trial?
• Most VOC cases are resolved without going to trial. If the case proceeds to trial, either parent can request or subpoena me to testify. The parent requesting testimony is responsible for covering preparation time, court appearance, and travel costs.
How to Make a Referral
To arrange a VOC report:
Email Sandra Izekor at sandrai@familyflourishtherapy.com or schedule a free consultation.
• Referrals can be made by parents, the court, or legal counsel.
• All referrals will be screened for potential conflicts of interest within 7 days.
• You’ll receive written confirmation of acceptance or decline.
Parenting Plan Evaluations/ Section 30 Assessments
A parenting plan evaluation (formerly known as a custody and access assessment) is a professional assessment conducted by a trained social worker or psychologist to provide an independent, detailed understanding of a family’s situation.
The purpose of the assessment is to help the court and the family make informed decisions about custody and parenting arrangements. The evaluation considers the needs and preferences of the child and provides professional recommendations designed to support the child’s emotional, psychological, and developmental well-being.
Parenting plan evaluations are particularly helpful in high-conflict separations or cases involving:
• Mental health or substance use concerns
• Family violence
• Parental capacity issues
• Disputes about a parent’s ability to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs
With specialized training in family court evaluations, including Section 30 assessments, I approach each case with sensitivity and a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of separation and co-parenting. My goal is to provide insights that help create a stable and supportive environment where children can thrive.
When is a Parenting Plan Evaluation Helpful?
Parenting plan evaluations are often necessary when:
✔️ Parents disagree about custody or access arrangements
✔️ There are concerns about parental capacity due to mental health or substance use issues
✔️ Family violence or high-conflict situations are involved
✔️ The child is resistant to contact with a parent
✔️ One or both parents have concerns about the child's emotional well-being in the current arrangement
✔️ There are changes in family structure (e.g., remarriage, relocation)
The Assessment Process
A Section 30 parenting plan evaluation includes several structured steps to ensure a thorough and balanced understanding of your family’s situation:
1. Initial Agreement and Contract
o A contract is signed, outlining the scope of the evaluation, the cost of services, and the specific issues to be addressed.
o A retainer payment is required in advance and held in a trust account.
2. Parent Interviews
o Multiple interviews with each parent or caregiver to explore:
o Personal history
o Relationship dynamics
o Parenting history and co-parenting challenges
o Each parent’s perspective on the child’s needs and parenting plan proposals
3. Information Gathering
o Parents sign authorizations for the release of information from relevant professionals (e.g., teachers, doctors, therapists).
o Police and child welfare records are mandatory and will be reviewed as part of the evaluation.
4. Collateral Interviews
o Collateral contacts (e.g., teachers, healthcare providers, child welfare agencies) are interviewed, typically by phone.
o If an in-person interview with a professional is required, consent and payment approval will be obtained beforehand.
5. Parent-Child Observation
o An observation visit with each parent and child will be conducted.
o If the child resists contact with a parent, this will be addressed during the initial interview.
o Supervised access, if required, can take place in the office or at a designated supervised access location.
6. Child Interviews
o Each child is interviewed in a neutral, comfortable setting (often the office) or another location that ensures privacy.
o Due to COVID-related guidelines, some interviews may be conducted virtually.
o Children are not asked to choose between parents or pressured to express a preference.
7. Review of Records
o All available police and child welfare records are obtained and summarized in the report.
o Parents will have an opportunity to share their views on any incidents or investigations.
8. Final Parent Interview
o A concluding interview with both parents to review findings and provide an opportunity for feedback.
The Final Report
After the assessment is complete, a final report is prepared, which includes:
✔️ Professional observations and analysis of family dynamics
✔️ The child’s views and preferences (if expressed)
✔️ Clinical impressions and professional recommendations for parenting time and co-parenting arrangements
Disclosure Meeting:
• A meeting is held with both parents and their legal counsel (if applicable) to present the findings and recommendations.
• Depending on the situation, the meeting may be held jointly or separately—especially in cases of family violence, mental health concerns, or high conflict.
• The goal of this meeting is to reach an agreement and avoid further court involvement where possible.
Report Filing:
• The final report is filed with the court (if there is court involvement).
• Copies of the report are provided to both parents and their legal counsel.
• After the disclosure meeting, the file is closed, and no further contact is maintained unless agreed upon in advance.
Cost of a Parenting Plan Evaluation
• Hourly Rate: $250 + HST per hour
• Total Time: 40–60 hours to complete the assessment
• Payment:
o Parents typically share the cost, but this can vary based on income or mutual agreement.
o The evaluation remains impartial regardless of who pays for the service.
o Payment does not influence the findings or recommendations.
How to Make a Referral
To request a parenting plan evaluation:
Email Sandra Izekor at sandrai@familyflourishtherapy.com or schedule a free consultation.
• Referrals can be made by parents, the court, or legal counsel.
• All referrals will be screened for potential conflicts of interest within 7 days.
• You’ll receive written confirmation of acceptance or decline.