Parental Coordination and Decision Assistance
Understanding Parental Coordination
Parental Coordination and Decision Assistance (PCDA) is a process facilitated by a licensed family therapist or mental health professional in which parents work through disagreements and disputes involving their children, with the goal of developing a co-parenting plan which is focused on the best interests of the child. The co-parenting plan is created by both parents and reflects the individual needs of the children based on their emotional, developmental, and practical needs.
The process of PCDA is often considered an alternative to litigation because it aims to resolve differences between co-parents in a less adversarial, and less costly way. PCDA is ideal for families where parents continue to have disputes that need to be resolved after divorce or separation. It provides a structure for formal decision-making, assists parties in resolving disputes, and promotes the welfare of children.
The Parental Coordination Process
The PCDA process usually includes an initial meeting between the parents and the therapist to discuss the format of the sessions and their expectations. Subsequent sessions are usually held in-person or online and may involve individual or joint meetings with the therapist. The therapist will work with each parent to improve parenting skills and communication abilities with the other parent.
The therapist may act as a mediator or may recommend additional resources, such as co-parenting classes, to help the parents overcome barriers to effective communication. In some cases, the therapist may involve the children in the process to help them understand their parents’ feelings and the decisions being made about them. The process is highly collaborative and may be repeated as many times as necessary to resolve the issues and create a favorable outcome for the child.
Parental Coordination and Decision Assistance is a highly structured process to resolve co-parenting disputes through collaboration and the involvement of a licensed family therapist. It aims to foster communication and a cooperative relationship between parents, leading to a co-parenting plan that is focused on the best interest of the children. The therapist works with both parents to help them understand and respect each other’s viewpoints and to achieve a resolution that is viable for both parties.
Family Systems Based Approach
Our family systems approach focuses on how different family members interact with each other and how their behavior affects the overall dynamics of the family unit. This approach recognizes that the emotional wellbeing of each individual is connected to the emotional wellbeing of everyone else in the family. It focuses on identifying patterns of interaction within families, improving communication, and developing positive changes in family relationships.
Josh Christian
Josh@therapywize.com
719-445-6096
Therapywize
10 Boulder Crescent St.
Suite 303
Colorado Springs, CO 80903