Child
Specialists as Collaborative Law Professionals
The Child Specialist in Collaborative Law provides divorcing
parents with the direction, education and the advice to aid them in
the development of their parenting plan. In addition, the child specialist,
working as a neutral, is utilized to recognize and address the emotional
needs and psychological state of each child. The Child Specialist avoids
developing a therapeutic relationship with the child. Therefore, it
is imperative that the parents and the child understand this distinction
before beginning.
How does the Child Specialist interact with
the divorcing family?
- Assesses
the child’s emotional adjustment and emotional needs
- Provides
support to the children during the divorce process
- Provides
parenting information to both parents regarding child issues and divorce
- Assists
the parents in helping their child adjust to divorce
- Provides
parents education about the impact of divorce on their child and the
need for both parents in their lives
- Educates
parents about effective co-parenting
- Provides
age-appropriate time-sharing options and typical risks for each age
group
- Helps
parents to project into the future so that their parenting plan reflects
their child’s changing needs
How does the Child Specialist assist the Collaborative
Law Team?
- Provides
information to the team regarding the child’s emotional, physical
and intellectual needs
- Provides
information regarding the child’s bond with each parent and
parent stability
- The Child
Specialist may provide useful information to the CL team such as:
- Child’s
temperament
- Child’s
overall adjustment
- Child’s
relationship with each parent
- Child’s
resiliency
- Child’s
relationship with extended family
- Child’s
relationship with peers
- Child’s
school adjustment
- Sibling
dynamics
- Child’s
spoken and unspoken preferences regarding living arrangements
- Family
dynamics
- Adults’
strengths and weaknesses as parents
- Recommendations
regarding age-appropriate time-sharing arrangements
How does
the Child Specialist interact with the Divorce Coach?
The Child Specialist
role is usually limited to issues surrounding parenting and co-parenting
concerns. The process of learning and making parenting decisions provides
the professional with information regarding parents’ communication
skills. A Child Specialist can coach parents in communication skills
along with parenting matters.