Collaborative Family Law — Victoria, BC

Children often experience separation as a turbulent, traumatic and confusing series of events beyond their control which bring about major changes to their world. I utilize a non-therapeutic, developmentally appropriate model which engages them in a way that they understand, enabling them to ask questions, share their views, and be listened to in a sincere and caring manner. I am passionate about my commitment to support children’s valuable contributions to creating positive change.

As a child specialist, my role includes encouraging parents to actively teach their children respectful communication- and life-skills which develop their strengths, resilience, and meaningful participation. Research demonstrates that facilitating parents’ capacity to “hear” their children results in an enduring reduction of conflict and litigation, improvement in family stability, and long-term satisfaction with parenting arrangements.

For over twenty years I have supported children, youth, and families dealing with crises and other difficult transitions. After completing my degree in psychology, specializing in child development, I underwent extensive training in art- and play-therapy, and in techniques for helping families to cope with such challenges as loss, grief, trauma, abuse, addictions, and life transitions. For eleven years I was a counsellor with the Child and Family Counselling Association (CAFCA), working in partnership with social workers, psychologists and other mental health professionals. During this time I provided high-risk families, identified by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), with crisis-intervention, counselling, coaching, and advocacy services.

As a Certified Family Relations Mediator I practice a child-inclusive approach which enables me to help children and families adjust successfully to the challenges of separation and divorce. I apply a structured parenting skills method designed to reduce parental conflict and its exposure to children and families. I am firmly committed to the interdisciplinary model of collaborative family law, and believe that families are best supported by a team approach.