Co-Parenting Counseling in West Palm Beach, Florida

Guiding Divorced Parents with Children Caught in Family Change Through Co-Parenting Counseling in West Palm Beach, Florida

Are you or your spouse having difficulty adjusting to the role of co-parenting during or after divorce or separation? Divorce changes the shape of a family — but it doesn’t have to destroy its foundation. When two parents commit to raising their children with cooperation, respect, and shared goals, the entire family benefits. However, it’s not always easy to move from conflict to collaboration — especially when old wounds or emotional tension linger. Co-parenting counseling can guide your family through this difficult transition and beyond.

I’m Dr. Susan Christiansen, Phd., LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in West Palm Beach. I provide co-parenting counseling for divorced or separated parents who want to improve communication, reduce conflict, and build a healthier parenting partnership for their children. Whether you’re early in your separation or years into co-parenting, counseling offers a structured, nonjudgmental space to align your goals with the other parent, understand your differences, and put your children’s emotional needs first.

Building a cooperative co-parenting relationship amicably with your ex-spouse/partner can give your children stability and close relationships with both parents, but it’s rarely easy to put aside relationship issues to co-parent agreeably under stressful conditions. Despite the many challenges, it is possible to develop a cordial working relationship with your current or ex-spouse for the sake of your children.

I can help you develop a co-parenting plan that works, while helping you to remain calm, stay consistent, and avoid or resolve conflict to make co-parenting and/or joint custody work. It will be rewarding to you, and especially your children.

Call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT offers in-person co-parenting counseling in West Palm Beach, FL, with virtual options for Florida residents.
• Co-Parenting Counseling for divorced parents helps them to guide their children through challenges associated with divorce or separation to build a cooperative co-parenting relationship.
• An effective and harmonious co-parenting relationship places the interest of the children involved first while building upon mutual understanding with improved conflict resolution skills
• Dr. Christiansen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families work through conflicts to pursue brighter futures.
• Co-Parenting counseling can reduce conflict, improve communication, create consistent parenting structures for divorced or separated parents, addressing high-conflict parenting dynamics and facilitating blended family transitions.
• Easily request a free introductory call with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT by phone at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or through the online form.

What is Co-Parenting Counseling?

Co-parenting counseling is a specialized form of therapy that helps divorced or separated parents work together effectively in raising their children in a respectful co-parenting relationship. The goal isn’t to fix the past — it’s to improve the present and create a cooperative path forward for your children while mentoring good parenting skills for their future adult relationships.

In this work, we focus on:

• Clarifying parenting roles
• Resolving communication issues
• Establishing consistent expectations for children
• Navigating decision-making around school, health, and discipline
• Reducing emotional reactivity
• Maintaining child-centered focus in times of stress

This process is not about reconciling the relationship between parents. It’s about strengthening your shared responsibility and commitment to the well-being of your child or children through effective co-parenting that harmonizes parenting styles under the modified family structure.

Key Benefits of Co-Parenting Counseling

1. Reduce Conflict and Emotional Tension

Frequent arguments, blame, and emotional reactivity between parents can take a serious toll on children. Through co-parenting therapy, we work on developing strategies to reduce tension and respond rather than react.

Together, you will learn to:

• Learn tools for managing strong emotions
• Identify triggers and practice calm communication
• Replace hostile interactions with neutral dialogue

2. Create Consistency and Stability for Children

Kids thrive on consistency. When parents enforce different rules, boundaries, or routines, it creates confusion and insecurity. Counseling helps both parents establish aligned expectations that create safety for their children.

Through collaboration, both parents will:

• Build shared agreements on schedules, homework, chores, etc.
• Understand child development and age-appropriate expectations
• Support consistent messages across households

3. Strengthen Communication Without Blame

Poor communication can cause unnecessary friction. Whether it’s passive-aggressive texts, sarcastic comments, or misinterpretations, I help you replace defensive patterns with clarity and respect.

We will improve communication across both households by:

• Practicing effective dialogue in session
• Developing structured communication strategies
• Using non-verbal tools like co-parenting apps and calendars

4. Focus on Child-Centered Decision-Making

In high-conflict situations, children often become emotional collateral. This is called triangulation, and it is counterproductive and unfair to the child. Co-parenting counseling keeps the focus where it belongs: on your children’s emotional, academic, and developmental needs.

You and your ex-spouse will:

• Stay aligned on school decisions, healthcare, and extracurriculars
• Discuss difficult topics without dragging kids into adult issues
• Work together to reduce triangulation and loyalty conflicts

5. Support Transitions and Blended Families

If one or both parents are in new relationships or are forming blended families, co-parenting therapy helps coordinate these transitions with transparency and open cooperation to maintain a supportive environment.

During these times of change, co-parenting helps to:

• Introduce new partners or stepparents in age-appropriate ways
• Address household changes and roles clearly
• Avoid competition or undermining

How Co-Parenting Counseling Works

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Early Sessions

We begin with a consultation — either individually or jointly — where I learn about your co-parenting dynamic, legal custody agreements, and core concerns.

We will:

• Identify pain points and past efforts
• Assess communication style and conflict level
• Clarify goals for the counseling process

Step 2: Agreements and Ground Rules

Co-parenting counseling only works when both parents are willing to commit to respectful participation. We will establish boundaries, mutual goals, and expectations, emphasizing:

• Confidentiality and privacy
• Respectful, non-blaming dialogue
• Consistent attendance and follow-through

Step 3: Weekly or Biweekly Counseling Sessions

Most sessions involve both parents, though I may meet individually when needed. Together, we work on:

• Joint problem-solving
• Conflict resolution exercises
• Creating or revisiting parenting plans
• Reviewing agreements and accountability

Sessions last 50–60 minutes and are conducted in a calm, neutral setting (or virtually).

Step 4: Homework and Tools Between Sessions

To reinforce our progress, I often provide:

• Shared communication templates
• Behavioral charts for younger children
• Co-parenting apps and scheduling tools
• Articles or reading assignments

Through our work, we can build a customized toolkit with strategies you can use at home.

Step 5: Periodic Check-Ins and Transition Support

Once major issues are resolved, I offer periodic sessions to support long-term maintenance — especially during transitions like the start of school, holidays, or when issues reemerge.

Who Needs Co-Parenting Counseling?

Co-parenting counseling can help if:

• You and your ex-partner struggle to communicate without conflict
• Your child is caught in the middle of disagreements
• You have inconsistent parenting expectations across two separate households
• Your custody or time-sharing schedule creates confusion or resentment
• One or both of you are entering new relationships or blended families
• You feel emotionally triggered by your ex, even when trying to parent together

Co-Parenting Counseling is for:

• Recently divorced parents needing structure and support
• Long-divorced parents still experiencing high conflict
• Parents with joint legal custody trying to coordinate and process shared decisions
• Individuals seeking therapy for co-parenting challenges with difficult or avoidant ex-partners

Why Choose Dr. Susan Christiansen for Co-Parenting Counseling in West Palm Beach?

Extensive Experience and Training

With over 20 years in marriage and family therapy, I’ve supported countless parents across West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County through the complexities of co-parenting. I understand both the emotional toll and the practical realities of parenting after divorce.

My training includes:

• Ph.D. in Humanities & Social Sciences
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Elderly Mediator (#31709FE)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Advanced work in conflict resolution and family systems
• Trauma-informed and attachment-based methods

Neutral, Nonjudgmental Support

I’m not here to take sides. My role is to help both parents show up for their children — clearly, calmly, and cooperatively. Every session is focused on solutions, not history or blame.

Practical Tools for Real-Life Parenting

I provide tools you can implement right away — because real co-parenting doesn’t happen in a therapy room. It happens at school pickup, during holidays, and through difficult texts on a Thursday night.

I will equip and empower you with:

• Communication plans
• Emotional regulation techniques
• Shared documentation strategies
• Tools for reducing triangulation and parent-child strain

Ongoing Flexibility and Support

Whether you need weekly sessions during a tough stretch, or quarterly check-ins as co-parenting evolves, I provide flexible scheduling and long-term partnership. I’m here when you need me.

Ask Questions About Co-Parenting Counseling or Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT

Whether you’re tired of fighting or you just want to avoid conflicts altogether, co-parenting counseling can help you create a healthier way forward. Your children deserve calm, consistent parenting. And you deserve peace of mind.

Call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Let’s create a co-parenting path that works for your kids and for you.

Helping Palm Beach County clients achieve peace and harmony since 2000