Collaborative Law Center of Atlanta

			Home	FAQ	Links
	Collaborative and the CLCA		More About the Interdisciplinary Team	Membership Directory	Info for Professionals
	What is Collaborative Family Law? Who Can Benefit? Why Should I Use It? How Does It Work? How Can the CLCA Help?		Attorneys Child Specialists Divorce Coaches Financial Consultants Mediators
When you are ready for help, call us at (404) 475-0333 or contact a professional from our directory	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.

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals www.collaborativepractice.com CLCA members are all members of the International Academy of Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Law Center of Atlanta, Inc.

1756 Century Blvd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

(404) 475-0333

www.collaborativelawatlanta.com

Site designed by Patricia S. McDonald
If you have questions or problems with the functioning of this site, please email the webmaster.

Copyright (c) 2007 Collaborative Law Center of Atlanta, Inc.