COMMUNICATION FACILITATION TO REDUCE CONFLICT

“Communication Facilitation” is  an option for parents-in-conflict who need help learning how to communicate and reduce the conflict, be it high or low, court ordered or not.  The Center for Divorce and Parenting, Inc. has been offering communication facilitation to reduce conflict for several years. 

The goal of this method is to help parents understand the nature of their conflict, their conflict styles, why this style doesn’t work and its impact on children.  Then the parents are assisted in learning new communication skills and techniques to reduce the conflict.  The procedure is conducted through a mediation model so that the provider cannot testify in court, nor can her notes be subpoenaed.  The final work product can become a legally binding document if both parties agree.

It is an educationally-based model utilizing actual on-going conflicts of the parties so that the information learned is meaningful and practical.  As the clients learn new methods of communicating, their agreements are typed up for them so that they leave the office each time with a protocol for ‘how to communicate’. 

Procedurally, each client attends an ‘intake’ session (individual appointment) so that background history can be shared with Ms. Nowak.  Then the clients participate in 2 hour joint sessions to work on the promotion of positive communication skills.  Clients should expect to attend a minimum of 3 joint meetings.  More can occur by Court order, recommendation of the Child Family Investigator or lawyers, at the discretion of the provider or by agreement of the parties.  Typically, most parents reach a new level of communication and understanding of each other after 3-5 joint meetings.  These can take place over a 2 – 3 month period of time to allow the parents to practice their methods of communicating and so they have an opportunity to change their thinking and style of working together.  Many parents are using this model instead of the Level II class for high conflict parents, offered by the Center for Divorce and Parenting, Inc., as well as by others.