Solutions for Couples

---

A Divorce Coach provides practical and emotional support during the divorce process by:

Creating a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental, and patient environment, which will help the Client understand the past and make choices for the future.

Helping the Client identify their emotional triggers in the process (by witnessing what they do to them) and provide them with an alternative approach to get past the triggers.

Becoming a ‘thinking partner’ to help the Client:

• Understand what has already happened - by simplifying it.
• Comprehend their options in the process.
• Make informed decisions about the many aspects of the process.
• Find a balance between the legal aspect of the process, their inward journey, their work with mental health professionals, and moving on with life.
• By providing guidance and direction.
• Develop goals and create a plan of action.

Assisting the Client in ‘clarifying their financial picture’ by:

• Organizing their financial materials for them.
• Helping them understand where their money goes and how it is spent.
• Finding the materials they require for the process.
• Helping them understand why the information is important.
• Managing their finances to make them simpler going forward.
• Assisting in removing the ‘fear’ of managing money.
• Helping them understand that finance isn’t everyone’s forte.

Working with the Client’s Collaborative Professionals (i.e. Lawyer, Mediator, Arbitrator, and any other professionals) in a cooperative and professional manner.

Parenting Coordination is a post-parenting plan alternative dispute resolution service for high conflict couples. The Parenting Coordinator (PC) assists parents to implement, maintain and comply with their already agreed to or Court ordered Separation Agreement or Parenting Plan. The role of the PC is to assist in minimizing parental conflict by helping them develop more effective problem solving strategies and communication skills. As well, the Parenting Coordinator mediates disputes regarding their existing Agreement, Family Arbitration Award, or Parenting Plan. For specifically pre-identified issues, the Parenting Coordinator can also assume the role of an Arbitrator.

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process where partners meet with a neutral person, referred to as a Mediator, to try to solve their issues without going to Court. A Mediator is a person trained to help you agree on your issues without taking sides. A Mediator won't decide anything and won't force you or your partner to agree to anything. They try and help you speak with each other about your issues and understand each other's position. Their goal is to help you both compromise and come to an agreement. If you and your partner come to terms, your Mediator can formalize the specifics in a Separation Agreement. A Mediator cannot give you independent legal advice (ILA), only a Lawyer can.

Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution process where partners meet with a neutral person, called an Arbitrator, to solve their issues without going to Court. If you and your partner cannot reach an agreement, the Arbitrator makes a decision to solve your issues. Their decision is called a Family Arbitration Award.

How your child will react to your separation/divorce depends on their age, personality, and the particular circumstances of the separation and divorce process. Every divorce will have an effect on the children involved — often the initial reaction is one of shock, sadness, frustration, anger, or worry. With help and guidance, children are also able to better cope with stress, and many become more flexible, tolerant young adults. The most important thing that parents can do to help their children navigate through this turbulent time, is to manage the process properly from the beginning by knowing and understanding the following:

• How, when and what to tell your child about your separation.
• How to handle their reaction.
• How to help them cope.
• How to minimize the effects of separation for your children. 
• How to help them adjust to their new living situation. 
• How to parent under pressure. 

Supervised access is a service provided to a parent or caregiver who must be accompanied while they are having a visit with a child or children to ensure their safety. Often it is in the context of allegations of abuse, substance abuse, violence, or when a parent or caregiver has been absent from a child’s life for an extended period of time. Sometimes it’s about inappropriate content or language used in front of the child or children. Supervised access is generally utilized on a short-term basis while awaiting a Court Order for access or being granted unsupervised access by a Judge.

Supervised exchange services at drop off and pick up times can also be provided.