Reunification interventions offer families a structured, individually tailored process for addressing parent–child contact issues—particularly in cases involving resistance or refusal to engage with a parent. These interventions are a form of alternative dispute resolution designed to support the long-term emotional, mental, and relational health of the children involved.
Reunification work encompasses:
Support safe, structured re-engagement between a child and parent
Address and reduce resistance, fear, or confusion around contact
Foster healthy emotional connections in a trauma-informed manner
Help families navigate complex dynamics stemming from court involvement or past conflict
Promote long-term wellbeing of the child through stable parent-child relationships
Encourage collaborative co-parenting and communication when appropriate
Modalilities Used:
Attachment-Based Therapy
Focuses on repairing and strengthening the parent-child attachment bond.
Family Systems Theory
Views the family as an interconnected system; identifies patterns, roles, and dynamics contributing to conflict or estrangement.
Trauma-Informed Care
Ensures that all interventions are sensitive to the child’s and family's trauma history, including potential abuse, neglect, or emotional harm.
Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques (CBT)
Helps individuals identify and reframe distorted beliefs or narratives about the parent/child or the situation.
Psychoeducation
Provides families with tools to understand child development, effects of conflict/divorce, and the importance of shared parenting.
Structural Family Therapy
Works to reorganize family relationships and boundaries to promote healthier interactions.
Narrative Therapy
Encourages children and parents to explore and reauthor their personal and relational stories.