Supportive Parent Facilitation Services in Fort Worth, TX
Parent facilitation is a child-centered alternative dispute resolution service designed for co-parents who are either undergoing a divorce or separation or have already finalized it. This service provides professional support to co-parents, helping them learn to collaborate effectively and shield their children from parental conflict. The aim is to minimize ongoing litigation, ensure compliance with court orders, educate parents about their children's needs, reduce misunderstandings, resolve disputes, and teach more effective communication strategies. The role of a parenting facilitator is defined in the Texas Family Code, Chapter 153, Subchapter K.
How Parent Facilitation Works
The parent facilitator accomplishes this by reviewing written evaluations and reports, engaging with key individuals involved with the family—such as doctors, therapists, schools, daycare providers, and lawyers—and meeting with each parent individually or together. Communication may also occur via email, and home visits can be arranged at the facilitator's discretion.
Important: It's important to note that parent facilitation is not a confidential process; the facilitator may prepare status reports for the court as needed, testify in court, and collaborate with other professionals, potentially attending hearings. The facilitator acts as a neutral third party with the goal of reducing conflict and can make recommendations to the parents. While parent facilitation employs therapeutic skills, it is not a form of therapy. Families looking for therapeutic support may wish to explore our counseling services, and families involved in contested custody cases can learn about our child custody evaluations.
When Parent Facilitation May Be Helpful
Some family situations become complicated when circumstances change after a parenting arrangement is established. New developmental needs, shifts in family relationships, or concerns that were not present when the arrangement was created may prompt parents to reconsider how they approach day-to-day responsibilities. Parent facilitation offers a structured opportunity to address these changes and find practical ways forward without losing sight of the family's unique circumstances. With experience providing family-focused services, including adoption evaluations, Solution Focused Family Center offers parent facilitation services for families in Fort Worth, TX, who need thoughtful support as their circumstances evolve.
Supporting Children Through Co-Parenting Challenges
Children may need additional reassurance when adjusting to changes in their family life, especially when moving between households or adapting to new routines. Parents can make this transition easier by maintaining age-appropriate expectations, allowing children to share their feelings without placing them in the middle of adult concerns, and consistently reassuring them that they are not responsible for resolving parental issues. We approach parent facilitation with attention to these developmental and emotional considerations. Families interested in learning more about available parent facilitation services can contact us to discuss next steps.
Why Choose Us for Parent Facilitation?
Family circumstances can be complex, and a concern that appears straightforward may have deeper underlying factors. Solution Focused Family Center takes time to consider the broader family context rather than approaching every situation with the same assumptions or expectations. Our experience working with children and parents, including court-appointed child custody evaluations, helps us recognize how developmental needs and individual circumstances can influence parenting concerns. This thoughtful perspective keeps our parent facilitation services focused on practical support that is responsive to the family in front of us, helping parents in Fort Worth, TX, move forward with greater clarity.
Getting Started
To begin the process of Parenting Facilitation Services with Mindy Harrison, LCSW-S, please have your attorney obtain an Order Appointing Mindy Harrison as your Parenting Facilitator and complete the following forms:
A $1,500 retainer is due from each party prior to beginning services. See our forms & fees page for details. Questions? Contact us or call 817-966-5401.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parent facilitation confidential?
No. Parent facilitation is not a confidential process. The facilitator may prepare status reports for the court as needed, testify in court, and collaborate with other professionals, potentially attending hearings.
Is parent facilitation a form of therapy?
No. While parent facilitation employs therapeutic skills, it is not a form of therapy. The facilitator acts as a neutral third party with the goal of reducing conflict and can make recommendations to the parents.
Can parent facilitation help when parenting concerns keep changing?
Yes. Families may encounter new circumstances as children grow and family dynamics change. Our parent facilitation can provide a structured way to address emerging concerns and consider practical approaches that fit the family's current situation.
What kinds of parenting concerns can be brought to a facilitator?
Concerns can vary from family to family and may involve changes in routines, transitions between households, differing expectations, or situations that were not anticipated when the original parenting arrangement was established. Our facilitator can help parents work through these concerns in an organized, respectful setting, providing guidance that keeps communication productive and decisions focused on the needs of the children.
Can parent facilitation be useful if my co-parent and I have very different parenting styles?
Differences in parenting styles do not automatically prevent parents from working toward more workable arrangements. Our parent facilitation services can help parents identify areas where their approaches differ and consider practical ways to manage those differences while keeping their child's needs in focus.
How much does parent facilitation cost?
A $1,500 retainer is due from each party prior to beginning services. See the Parenting Facilitation Fees Schedule above for full details.
