Dr. LauraMaery Gold, PhD, LMFT, MA-MFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Reunification and Relationship Therapist

Restoring Parent–Child Relationships in High-Conflict Family Situations

When families separate—especially in the context of legal disputes, custody battles, or ongoing tension—relationships can suffer. Sometimes a child or teen becomes distanced from one parent. Sometimes a parent is cut off or loses access. And in many cases, everyone is trying to move forward, but the emotional fallout makes connection difficult or unsafe.

Reunification Therapy (sometimes called Reconciliation Counseling) is a structured process designed to help restore or build the relationship between a child or adolescent and a parent they’ve become estranged from. Whether that estrangement happened gradually through conflict, or abruptly through legal decisions, my role is to guide families toward healing, clarity, and renewed trust—at a pace that’s developmentally and emotionally appropriate for everyone involved.

When Reunification Therapy Is Appropriate

This process may be right for your family if:

• A child or teen is resisting contact or visitation with one parent.

• One parent has had limited access due to legal, logistical, or emotional barriers.

• The family has been involved in high-conflict divorce, separation, or custody proceedings.

• Court-ordered reunification therapy has been recommended or mandated.

• Co-parenting communication has broken down, creating an unsafe or unproductive environment for reconnection.

• All parties agree that re-establishing or repairing the parent–child relationship is a shared goal.

While some families come to this process voluntarily, many arrive as part of a legal or court-directed intervention. I work with children and adolescents between ages 5 and 18, along with their parents or legal guardians, in both court-involved and private cases.

How the Process Works

Every family’s situation is different, but reunification therapy typically follows a phased approach. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Individual Meetings with Parents

We begin with individual sessions with each parent, with the goal of establishing a non-hostile working relationship. These meetings help clarify history, understand goals, and identify any concerns or barriers. We also set expectations and outline the structure of the work ahead.

2. Co-Parenting Preparation

Before involving the child or adolescent, I work with both parents to strengthen the co-parenting dynamic. Even when conflict is high or trust is low, we focus on creating enough cooperation to support a safe, child-focused reunification process. This phase includes boundary setting, communication skills, safety measures, and mutual accountability.

3. Child or Adolescent Engagement

Once the parents are able to support the process cooperatively, I begin meeting individually with the child or adolescent. These sessions help the young person feel safe, heard, and prepared for possible reconnection. I also consult, when appropriate, with other professionals involved in their care—such as therapists, guardians ad litem, medical professionals, or educators.

4. Reunification Sessions

When the child or adolescent is ready, I facilitate sessions with the previously estranged parent. These meetings are carefully paced and always tailored to the child’s developmental level and emotional state. The goal is to build or rebuild trust, communication, and safety—one step at a time.

5. Progress and Completion

Some families complete the process and move into a more stable, connected relationship. Others may need ongoing support or hit roadblocks that require a pause. If therapy is stalled due to lack of cooperation or emotional readiness, I provide formal documentation and recommendations for next steps, particularly when court involvement is ongoing.

What I Bring to the Process

As a licensed marriage and family therapist with advanced training in counseling psychology, I approach reunification work with clinical structure, emotional neutrality, and respect for everyone involved. My job is not to assign blame or decide custody—it’s to help create the emotional and relational conditions where healthy connection is possible.

When needed, I provide written reports to the court or other professionals to document progress or identify barriers to reunification. Above all, I work to protect the emotional safety of the child or adolescent while guiding the entire family system toward more functional, respectful relationships.

Next Steps

If your family is facing a parent–child estrangement—whether through court order or shared concern—reunification therapy may provide the structure and support you need to move forward. Contact me to schedule a consultation and learn more about how this process can support your goals.