Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce is an alternative dispute resolution approach that provides a way for
divorcing couples to negotiate the terms of their divorce, including time-share arrangements for
children, without litigation. Collaborative Divorce allows individuals to resolve their disputes
in a fair, open, and respectful manner, and reach mutually agreeable solutions that take into
consideration the needs of each party. In Collaborative Divorce, each parent has an independent
attorney for legal advice who has received specialized training in Collaborative Practice.
The Collaborative Divorce team also consists of Divorce Coaches and a Child Specialist, and Dr.
Pickar serves in both of these roles. A Divorce Coach is a licensed mental health professional
with considerable training and experience in working with divorcing families and mediation.
Divorce coaching is not psychotherapy, but does assist parents with their emotional reactions and
management of stress due to the separation or divorce. Coaches also teach constructive
communication and negotiation skills. This process helps parents not only arrive at agreements in
the Collaborative Divorce process, but also sets the stage for continued effective co-parenting in
the future.
If children are involved, a Child Specialist is typically part of the collaborative team. The
Child Specialist, also a licensed mental health professional with special expertise in working with
children undergoing divorce, assists parents in focusing on their children's needs. By providing
insight into how the children are coping with the divorce, the Child Specialist offers options for
time-share arrangements that may best suit their developmental needs. The Child Specialist first
meets with parents to understand their concerns about their child and co-parenting with the other
parent. In individual meetings with children, the child specialist ascertains their functioning in
adjusting to the divorce, and listens to their ideas (depending upon the age of the child)
regarding time-share arrangements.
Collaborative Divorce presents parents with an option to utilize the combined skills of legal and
mental health professionals to facilitate mutual resolution, to reduce conflict, enhance co-parent
communication, and negotiate appropriate parenting plan arrangements for their children. In
contrast to litigation, Collaborative Divorce is faster, minimizes the emotional effects of the
divorce process on all members of the family, and lays the foundation for healthier relationships
after the divorce.
Dr. Pickar serves as both a Child Specialist and Coach in Collaborative Divorce. He is fully
trained in collaborative practice, and is a member of the Collaborative Council of the Redwood
Empire and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Read "Collaborative Divorce: Some New Roles for
Psychologists" ( PDF) by Dr. Pickar.
For more information about Collaborative Divorce go to:
Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire
http://www.collaborativecouncil.org
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
http://www.collaborativepractice.com
| 
