Reunification in West Palm Beach, Florida

Reunification Counseling Helps Parents and Children Heal, Reconnect, and Rebuild Trust

Family separation can leave behind deep emotional scars, painful misunderstandings, and a sense of heartbreak on both sides, especially between a parent and child. Whether the distance between family members has come from a high-conflict divorce, prolonged absence, or past challenges involving neglect or strained dynamics, the road to repair can feel overwhelming and uncertain. Reunification counseling (reunification therapy) can facilitate this process for both parties by allowing a professional guide to identify and address the unfamiliar dynamics that can present challenges and frustrations as you reunite in pursuit of a healthy relationship. In some cases, the court requires a therapist to be present for the reunification of a parent and child after a divorce.

I’m Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, and I provide reunification in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, Florida. For more than two decades, I’ve helped parents and children work through the delicate, emotional process of reestablishing connection, trust, and healthy communication.

Reunification isn’t about “forcing” a relationship — it’s about creating a compassionate, structured, and safe therapeutic space where reconnection is possible. The primary goal is to foster a voluntary, healthy relationship for both parties.

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 reunification and counseling services in West Palm Beach, FL with virtual options.
• Reunification therapy facilitates new bonds in an estranged parent-child relationship that may involve a rejected parent or parental alienation.
• Reunification therapy can also aid strengthening of new or ongoing relationships among extended family members.
• Many children struggle to enjoy healthy family relationships with a non-custodial parent for a variety of reasons, which may be partially due to a custodial or favored parent’s negative beliefs.
• A reunification therapist helps family members build healthy family relationships from estranged parent-child relationships due to high-conflict divorce, alienation, separation, or family crisis.
• In some circumstances, the court may demand that a therapist be present for the reunification process between parent and child following a divorce.
• Dr. Susan Christiansen facilitates healthy emotional reconnection and communication between a child and an estranged parent through reunification and counseling that is child-focused, therapeutic, court-sensitive, and trauma-informed.
• 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 Reunification Counseling?

Reunification counseling (also known as reunification therapy or child reunification therapy) is a structured therapeutic process designed to repair and reestablish the relationship between a child and a parent after a period of estrangement or emotional cutoff. Family reunification involving other family dynamics may also benefit from reunification therapy and counseling, even in cases where there are no children involved.

Reunification therapy is most commonly used in situations involving:

• High-conflict divorce or separation
• Parental alienation or emotional influence
• Prolonged absence or lack of contact
• Misunderstandings, mistrust, or conflict
• Past behaviors of neglect, emotional harm, or instability
• Court-ordered therapy

While court orders sometimes initiate reunification counseling, many families also voluntarily seek a reunification therapist when one or both parties are ready to rebuild the relationship.

Who Needs Reunification Counseling?

As a reunification therapist, I typically work with:

• Parents who have been separated from their child due to conflict, legal rulings, emotional estrangement, or time apart.
• Children or teens resistant to seeing a parent, often due to distress, confusion, or loyalty conflicts.
• Co-parents navigating court-mandated reunification and needing help with logistics, emotional containment, and cooperation.
• Families healing after trauma or disruption such as substance abuse recovery, incarceration, or mental health crisis.

You may be a good candidate if you’ve said or thought:

• “My child refuses to speak to me.”
• “I don’t know how to begin reconnecting.”
• “I’m scared of doing more harm.”
• “My co-parent and I can’t agree on what’s best.”
• “We need help rebuilding from the damage.”

Reunification therapy can help build a positive relationship in many scenarios with a family history involving:

• Divorced parents
• A disrupted relationship
• Intense marital conflict
• Domestic violence
• Substance abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Emotionally dependent behavior
• Alienating behavior
• Severe mental illness
• Poor parenting
• Uninvolved parents
• Child abuse or an abusive parent
• Custody reversal or change of primary custody
• A rejected parent
• A needy parent
• An alienated parent
• Court-ordered therapy

Regardless of the exact nature of family dynamics or the history of parenting coordination, therapeutic intervention can foster a healthy relationship for the parties involved. We address both parent and child feelings with empathy and understanding.

Why Do Parent-Child Relationships Break Down?

There is no single cause of estrangement. It often stems from a combination of emotional, developmental, and circumstantial factors, including:

• Divorce or custody conflict: Children may internalize tension or feel caught between parents.
• Parental alienation: One parent may consciously or unconsciously damage the child’s view of the other parent.
• Unresolved trauma: If the child experienced fear, neglect, or instability, even unintentionally, they may protect themselves by withdrawing.
• Communication breakdowns: Mistrust, silence, or anger can harden into distance over time.
• Developmental changes: Teens, in particular, may struggle with identity, autonomy, and loyalty to one parent.

Reunification explores these causes gently and safely, so both the child and the parent are heard and supported.

Goals of Reunification Therapy

While every family is unique, the core goals of reunification therapy include:

• Creating emotional safety for the child
• Rebuilding trust between parent and child
• Addressing misunderstandings without blame
• Improving respectful communication
• Developing consistent, appropriate contact
• Reducing tension and triangulation between co-parents

These goals evolve over time as reunification therapy progresses, based on each family’s progress, dynamics, and emotional readiness.

What Reunification Therapy Is Not

It’s important to understand that reunification:

• Is not coercive: The focus is always on the child’s safety and well-being.
• Is not litigation-driven: While I often work with court-ordered families, I do not provide legal opinions or testimony unless court-appointed for that purpose.
• Is not about choosing sides: Children should never be asked to “pick” a parent or take sides. My role is neutral and child-centered.

How Reunification Works

I am here to assist the child and the parent throughout the steps of reunification therapy.

Step 1: Intake and Family History

The family reunification process begins with a thorough intake process, where I meet individually with:

• The estranged parent to understand history, intentions, and concerns.
• The child or teen, using age-appropriate conversation and therapeutic techniques.
• The custodial or aligned parent, to discuss boundaries, fears, and co-parenting cooperation.

I may request written documents, court orders, or parenting plans as context, but our focus is always clinical, not legal.

Step 2: Developing a Structured Reunification Plan

Based on initial assessment, I develop a step-by-step plan for the reunification therapy process that may include:

• Individual sessions (parent, child)
• Joint parent-child sessions
• Co-parent communication sessions (coordinating with the other parent)
• Therapeutic assignments or journaling
• Gradual exposure (in-person or virtual)

Each family moves at its own pace, based on emotional safety and progress — not external pressure.

Step 3: Facilitating Contact and Connection

In early stages, contact may be brief and carefully structured. Over time, we increase:

• Duration of interaction
• Depth of conversation
• Mutual comfort and trust
• Emotional regulation and repair

During reunification family therapy, I act as a therapeutic guide, helping parents and children speak openly, listen compassionately, and tolerate emotional discomfort.

Step 4: Ongoing Review and Transition Planning

As reunification progresses, we assess readiness for:

• Independent visitation or contact
• More natural, unsupervised interactions
• Transitioning to maintenance therapy or closure

I provide written summaries (when permitted) and practical tools to help maintain progress.

Common Challenges in Reunification Work

Reunification is a sensitive and often emotionally intense process. Families may face:

• Resistance from the child: Especially if the child has unresolved hurt or loyalty conflicts.
• Anger or blame from the estranged parent: Which can create pressure or emotional burden.
• Co-parenting conflict: Which may indirectly affect the child’s perception of safety or loyalty.
• Unrealistic expectations: Wanting “quick fixes” or full restoration without processing the past.

My role as a reunification therapist is to hold space for these challenges with compassion, structure, and nonjudgment, allowing each member to move forward safely and sustainably.

Why Choose Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT for Reunification Therapy in West Palm Beach

Whether reunification therapy is court-ordered or voluntary, I am well-equipped to guide you through the challenges you may face when reuniting with a family member. I understand the emotional and structural layers involved in reunification. I address matters of estrangement and separation gently and effectively.

Decades of Family Therapy Experience

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Science, I bring over 20 years of experience working with high-conflict families, estranged parent-child relationships, and complex co-parenting dynamics. I am deeply experienced in divorce mediation and helping divorced families work following divorce proceedings.

Child-Centered and Trauma-Informed

Your child’s emotional safety is my top priority. I use age-appropriate, trauma-aware techniques to make sure your child never feels pushed, overwhelmed, or silenced. Progress is built, not forced.

Neutral and Professional

In court-sensitive or legally complicated situations, neutrality matters. I do not take sides, but instead hold space for truth, repair, and emotional accountability on all sides.

Tailored, Respectful Process

Every reunification plan is customized to your family’s needs. Whether you’re just starting to reach out or already in partial contact, I meet you where you are when you attend therapy — with empathy and care.

Ask Questions About Reunification Therapy or Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT

Rebuilding a relationship with your child after distance or estrangement is one of the hardest — and most courageous — things you can do. Reunification takes time, patience, and support. You don’t have to do it alone.

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.

Together, we can help your family take the next step toward healing, trust, and reconnection.

Helping Palm Beach County clients achieve peace and harmony since 2000