Reunification Therapy (RT) is often ordered when there is a significant conflict between parents. Many times, it is the first order for visitation after a long period when the custodial parent had control of the child's access to the other parent. Not only is it a time of transition for the child to visit their non-custodial parent, it is a transition for the custodial parent to comply with the Court's expectations for visitation to occur.
Using the term "Therapy" can be misleading. Reunification Therapy IS DIFFERENT that traditional counseling therapies. Participation in RT is court ordered with the non-custodial parent being eager to participate but the custodial parent may be resistant and child may be reluctant. Goals for RT are determined by the Judge, meaning that the court will order all parties to follow and participate in the custody plan and movement facilitated by the therapist. Lastly, RT is nonconfidential. The Judge often requests a progress report and often asks for child custody recommendations from the therapist.
We use a combination of treatment modalities for RT including the MIM's assessment, the PCIT assessment and the normative clinical biopsychosocial assessment. We may ask the parents to comply with a psychological assessment if their own psychological influence is in question. Directive, empirically based treatment techniques are used with the children individually as well as with the children and the non-custodial and custodial parent that include cognitive behavioral therapies, and parent child interaction therapies.
HOW TO PICK A RT PROFESSIONAL
It is essential for the custodial and non-custodial parent to agree on a RT professional together prior to beginning treatment. If the professional is jointly decided upon, it will help guard against the professional becoming the target of hostility for the custodial parent for attempting to "change" things or not side with them. The custodial parent may convey these hostile feelings to the child which can under mind the child's trust in the therapist and the reunification process It is not uncommon the custodial parent to stop therapy and seek 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinions or become so hostile that the RT therapist ceases work with them.
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS?
Expecting the parents and the child to have the same motivation for change in reunification therapy is nearly impossible. In traditional counseling, the factor linked to a successful outcome is motivation. Reunification worked the same. The most motivated party in reunification is the non-custodial parent and possibly the child. Finding common ground is essential but the most difficult task.