When a child resists or refuses time with a parent, the strain can be overwhelming. Whether the cause is simple or complex, professional consultation can help identify solutions and provide a clear path forward.
What Are Contact Problems?
Any time any child resists or refuses to see a parent on a continuing basis, there is a parent/child contact problem. The reasons this happens range from transitory conditions to toxic neglect or even abuse. Regardless of the reasons a child is resisting time with a parent, professional consultation is recommended.
Sometimes solutions are simple; sometimes they require intensive intervention.
From Simple to Complex Solutions
The solution may be as simple as installing a nightlight in the child’s bedroom at the rejected parent’s home. The solution may be so complex it requires court intervention, sequestration and a weekend intensive with the rejected parent. Sometimes there are justifiable reasons for a child to reject a parent. Unless there has been physical or sexual abuse to the child, children can usually be reconciled with an estranged parent.
Professional Experience You Can Trust
Dr. Coughlin’s earliest training was in family therapy; much of her career has been spent treating children and adolescents. She is comfortable providing mentorship to professionals and guidance to parents when family therapy is an option.
Qualifications & Services
Certified as a Family Mediator and Guardian ad Litem, qualified as a Parenting Coordinator and Parental Alienation Specialist, Dr. Coughlin can provide guidance and treatment recommendations for the continuum of parent/child contact problems. Whether the goal is to restore the parent/child relationship, say goodbye for now, or litigate to contract for intensive treatment of an alienation case, Dr. Coughlin has the training and experience to provide assessments and recommendations.
Visit our page to get information about Intensive Reunification Treatment provided by the clinical team.
A Message from Dr. Coughlin:
“With the right support, most children can be reconciled with an estranged parent.”
Scheduling a Consultation
If you wish to consult on parent/child contact problems, it is advisable to schedule a minimum of one hour. If more time is needed, or documents need to be reviewed, Dr. Coughlin will make that recommendation during the initial consultation. Attorneys and parents anticipating the involvement of family court are encouraged to obtain consultations prior to filing motions.
Psychotherapy Fees
Clear, transparent pricing for individual sessions and related services.
Core Sessions
50-minute session
$350
25-minute session
$175
Extended time
$87.50 / 15 min
Off-site appointment
$500 / hour
(2-hr minimum)
Phone consultation
$87.50 / 15 min
Additional Fees
Late cancellation (within 24 hours)
$150
No-show for scheduled appointment
$150
Treatment update (reports, letters, etc.)
$150
Copy of records (faxed, mailed, etc.)
$1.00
per page
Payment is due at the time of your appointment. Dr. Coughlin is out-of-network; as a courtesy, we will file a claim on your behalf for out-of-network services.
Ready to Get Started?
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel big, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Schedule your first consultation today.