First things first, if you have been court-ordered into a parenting or a co-parenting class, please, contact the Court to obtain a list of court-approved providers.  Otherwise, you may find yourself repeating your parenting course, AND, possibly dealing with very unpleasant consequences imposed by an angry judge. 

      Typically, my clients have taken from one to three other parenting courses by the time they start working with me.  Sadly, frustratingly, nothing worked with their children.  

       Yet, the very first week after our very first class, they can see a difference in their child.

              Why?   Because this parenting instruction is about YOU and your child.

       Each session is focused on who you are, who your child is, and how to parent YOUR child.

      This is not parenting taught from a textbook.  You will learn HOW to parent your particular child.
       I teach parenting individually, rather than in a class.  I believe that Individualized instruction, tailored to meet the needs of your particular situation, yields the best results. 

      Yes, we will cover the basics, like, values, structure, philosophy, child development, and communication.  However, unlike other parenting programs, we will apply all of that information to your child, your situation, and your special needs. 

      Each session focuses on who your child is, and how to use your increasing knowledge to resolve the situations that develop in your family. 

      This is a practical, problem-solving approach to your situation. 
 
  
              You will also learn…
                            

                            How to really talk with, and listen to, your child. 

                            How to avoid power struggles, arguments, and fights.

                            How to effectively discipline…with long-term results.

                            How to change the emotional environment of your home.

                            How to reduce sibling rivalry.

 FAQ'S:

• "How long is the course?"

      This is not a course, this is one-on-one instruction.  It can go for as long, or as short, as you need.  When you feel done, you're done.  Some folks get what they need in the first few consultations, others have ongoing problems and very difficult-to-parent children, and they will require a longer involvement. 

• "Does it work with adult kids?"

      Oh, yes.  In fact, my specialty is difficult-to-parent children, and that includes ADULT children. 

• "Are you court-approved?"

      That depends upon the specific court.  Check their list of approved providers, just to be sure.

• "What is Co-parenting?" 

      Typically, the term is used to refer to the sharing of parenting that must occur AFTER a couple has divorced, or it can apply to a couple that was not married, but their relationship produced a child, whom they must parent together.

      The truth of the matter is not very pretty:  Most folks do not divorce because their life together was cheery and love-filled. And all those communication problems that undermined their success as a married couple will, in fact, reproduce geometrically after the relationship is dissolved.  Yet, somehow, some way, these two people are supposed to successfully share joint decision-making and physical custody of their children.  It can get ugly, and when it does, who suffers the most?  You got it---the children.  So, family court judges, in their infinite wisdom, frequently, order parents to receive co-parenting training.  Strangely, they also, frequently, do not order the two parents into the same class. 

CO-PARENTING IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN BOTH PARENTS ARE IN THE SAME  CLASS,  or  WORKING WITH THE SAME INSTRUCTOR. 

• "Why do we have to be in the same session?

      Because co-parenting is not just about parenting skills and child psychology.  Co-parenting is mostly about improving the communication between the adults, reaching understandings and philosophies that both parents will honor, and creating written agreements that both parents will uphold.  It's tough to do that when both people are in separate rooms, working with very different parent educators.

• "Does my current spouse/significant-other have to attend?"

      Point of information, even if the judge does not order your current spouse or significant-other into co-parenting, does it make sense to exclude him/her?  Aren't they involved in, and affected by, the parenting situation, too? ALL of the adults need to participate for the benefit of the children involved.

• "Who pays for the Co-parenting instruction?"

      That depends upon the judge's orders.  Some judges order one adult to pay for both parents' instruction, others order the parents to share the cost, and there are others who allow the parents to take their training separately, so naturally, they each pay their own bills. 

• "Will my insurance pay for this?"

      Some insurance carriers provide benefits for family therapy, and co-parenting might be included in those benefits.  However, just because your insurance provides benefits for individual psychotherapy, that does not mean that they pay benefits for marriage counseling, parenting education, or co-parenting. Check with your insurance company for the limits of your policy. 

• "Do you accept insurance benefits for parenting/co-parenting?"

      Clients are expected to pay for services when they are rendered.  I do not bill insurance companies, nor do I accept co-pays.  I will, however, provide you with a statement for services so that you may apply for reimbursement, assuming that your insurance company pays benefits for parenting or co-parenting instruction.

• "Do you work with Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, or polyamorous familes?"

      Unquestionably, yes.

• "Do you work with traditional religious, or non-traditional spiritual, families?"

      I am ordained interfaith minister and I have a Ph.D. in Pastoral Ministry, specializing in interfaith counseling.  Yes, I work with all religions, faiths, spiritual traditions, and the absence of same. 

•  "What is your fee?"

      The fee can be adjusted, based on financial need.  Call me about your particular situation.  I want you to be able to get the help you need, so call me.  Be honest with me and we will find a mutually acceptable amount that allows you to get the help you want.                          

                     _______________________________________________

                          Change your attitude, change your child's life.

                  Dr. Gwen Finestone, MFT, PhD, CT                  (714) 658-7488                       

DrGwenF@yahoo.com

DrGwenF.blogspot.com