Consultations for Professionals & the General Public
“Every one of us has our own unique experience and training. No one can know everything. Whenever I am in doubt about a legal or psychological matter I reach out to experts—I invite you to do the same. Most of my career has been focused on helping families and, in particular, children. As a result of my professional passion and many years of practice, I have developed substantial expertise. Please pick my brain if you are not an expert in the areas identified below.”
Who Consults with Dr. Coughlin?
Professional Clients:
- Attorneys
- Guardian ad Litems
- Parenting Coordinators
- Doctors
- Mental Health Professionals
General Public:
- Individuals and families
Why Consult with Dr. Coughlin?
Every family situation is unique, and sometimes the right path forward isn’t clear. A consultation offers professional insight, practical strategies, and an experienced perspective you can rely on. Whether you’re a legal or mental health professional seeking expert input, or a parent navigating complex family challenges, a focused consultation can save time, reduce conflict, and point you toward effective solutions.
Professional Consultation Topics
Addiction Issues
- In Family Court: guidance for parents concerned about the other parent’s substance use disorder.
- Helping abstinent parents model safe parenting time.
- Parenting Plan recommendations addressing substance use concerns.
- Coparenting when there are addiction concerns.
- Treatment recommendations for both parents.
- Guidelines for children’s safety.
- Alcohol and other drug testing — types, timelines, and considerations.
Parent/Child Contact Problems (PCCP)
- Signs and symptoms of Parental Alienation.
- Court interventions to address PCCP.
- Reunification practices and standards.
- Identifying when supervised timesharing is appropriate.
- Choosing supervisors and supervision centers (pros/cons).
Trauma-Informed Issues
- What Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are and why they matter.
- Common trauma treatments and what to expect.
- Signs and symptoms of PTSD.
- When reunification may be harmful.
Public Consultation Topics
General Mental Health Concerns
- Concerned about your mental health or that of a loved one?
- When to see a physician vs. a mental health professional.
- How to select the right provider.
- What to expect from treatment.
Trauma Treatments
- How to choose a therapist.
- When therapy is necessary.
- EMDR, ART, TIR, BSP — what these treatment options mean.
Addiction Issues
- How to help a loved one (and yourself) through substance use disorder.
- Best practices for managing addictive disorders.
- Special issues: opioid dependence, alcohol use disorder, medical marijuana, medically-induced dependencies.
- Raising a family when a parent has an addiction.
- Protecting children when addiction is present.
- When treatment is necessary.
- When to consult an attorney.
- Co-parenting with an addicted partner.
Navigating Family Court Matters
- How to protect your family during separation.
- Benefits of Collaborative Family Law.
- Understanding professional roles:
- Counselors
- Parenting Coordinators
- Guardian ad Litems
- Social Investigators
- Who to hire for what, during divorce and post-divorce.
- Developing a Parenting Plan:
- Options for timesharing schedules.
- Considering developmental stages.
- Pitfalls of being too general or too specific.
- Long-distance schedules.
- Safety-focused plans.
Parent/Child Contact Problems (PCCP)
- Understanding Parental Alienation.
- How and why to intervene early.
- Gatekeeping concerns.
- Considering children’s preferences.
Dr. Coughlin is identified as a Parental Alienation Specialist by NAOPAS, the National Association of Parental Alienation Specialists.
A Message from Dr. Coughlin:
“With the right insight and the right plan, families and professionals can find solutions where conflict once seemed impossible.”