What Is Parent Coordination? When High-Conflict Co-Parenting Requires More Than Mediation.

By Heather T. Landry, LPC-S, LPC, LMHC, CPC; Qualified Parent Coordinator in Florida, Louisiana, Washington, and Nevada

When Parents Continue Fighting After Court

The goal is not to determine who is "right."

The goal is to reduce parental conflict while promoting the child's best interests.

Many parents believe that once a custody judgment or parenting plan is signed, conflict will naturally decrease. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

For some families, the most difficult part begins after court. Questions about exchanges, school decisions, extracurricular activities, healthcare, communication, travel, discipline, and day-to-day parenting continue to create conflict. Repeated disagreements often result in additional motions, attorney fees, emotional exhaustion, and, most importantly, increased stress for the children.

Parent Coordination was developed to address exactly these situations.

Rather than returning to court every time a disagreement arises, a qualified Parent Coordinator assists parents in implementing court orders, improving communication, reducing conflict, and resolving child-related disputes within the authority granted by the court.

What Is Parent Coordination?

Parent Coordination is a child-focused dispute resolution process designed for separated or divorced parents experiencing ongoing conflict regarding parenting issues.

Unlike psychotherapy, Parent Coordination is not mental health treatment.

Unlike mediation, Parent Coordination is not limited to one or two sessions designed to reach a settlement.

Instead, Parent Coordination is an ongoing process that assists families in implementing existing court orders while helping reduce conflict and improve co-parenting communication.

Depending upon the applicable court order and governing law, a Parent Coordinator may assist with issues such as:

• Parenting plan implementation

• Parent-child communication

• Exchanges

• School concerns

• Healthcare decisions

• Therapy coordination

• Extracurricular activities

• Travel logistics

• Day-to-day parenting disputes

• Communication expectations

• Referrals for supportive services

How Is Parent Coordination Different from Mediation?

Many parents ask whether Parent Coordination is simply mediation.

The answer is no.

Mediation generally focuses on helping parties voluntarily reach an agreement regarding a specific dispute.

Parent Coordination is typically utilized after litigation has already occurred or after a parenting plan has been established. The Parent Coordinator works with the family over time to help implement court orders and resolve ongoing parenting disputes within the scope of the appointment.

Because every jurisdiction has different statutes and court procedures, the authority of a Parent Coordinator varies by state and by court order.

Signs Your Family May Benefit from Parent Coordination

Parent Coordination may be appropriate when parents experience:

• Repeated post-judgment litigation

• Frequent disagreements about parenting decisions

• Chronic communication conflict

• Difficulty implementing parenting plans

• High-conflict exchanges

• Ongoing disagreements regarding education or healthcare

• Repeated motions for contempt or enforcement

• Difficulty making child-focused decisions

• Children experiencing stress from ongoing parental conflict

Not every custody dispute requires Parent Coordination.

However, when conflict becomes chronic, additional structure and professional guidance can often help reduce future disputes.

Why Ongoing Conflict Matters

Research has consistently demonstrated that it is ongoing parental conflict not divorce itself that is associated with poorer outcomes for many children.

Children exposed to chronic conflict may experience:

• Increased anxiety

• Emotional distress

• Behavioral difficulties

• Loyalty conflicts

• Difficulty transitioning between homes

• Academic concerns

• Relationship difficulties

Reducing conflict is not simply about making parenting easier.

It is about improving the emotional environment in which children develop.

Common Misconceptions About Parent Coordination

"The Parent Coordinator decides custody."

No.

Custody decisions remain with the Court.

"The Parent Coordinator is my therapist."

No.

Parent Coordination is a court-related service, not psychotherapy.

"The Parent Coordinator takes sides."

A qualified Parent Coordinator maintains neutrality and procedural fairness while working within the authority granted by the Court.

"Parent Coordination replaces attorneys."

No.

Attorneys continue serving an important legal role.

Parent Coordination focuses on assisting parents with implementation of parenting issues between court appearances.

What Does the Process Typically Look Like?

Although every case differs, Parent Coordination generally includes:

• Initial intake

• Review of applicable court orders

• Review of relevant child-related information

• Meetings with parents

• Child-focused problem solving

• Communication coaching

• Conflict reduction strategies

• Ongoing implementation assistance

• Recommendations or reports when authorized by the Court

The process is designed to promote accountability, improve communication, and reduce unnecessary litigation whenever possible.

A Child-Focused Approach

Effective Parent Coordination is not about determining which parent is "winning."

Instead, the process continually asks:

"What outcome best serves the child's developmental, emotional, educational, and relational needs?"

This shift in perspective often helps parents move away from positional arguments toward collaborative problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parent Coordination force parents to agree?

No. The authority of a Parent Coordinator depends upon the applicable statutes, court order, and jurisdiction.

Is Parent Coordination confidential?

Because Parent Coordination is a court-related service, confidentiality differs from traditional psychotherapy. Parents should carefully review their appointment order, informed consent documents, and applicable laws governing the process.

Can Parent Coordination prevent future litigation?

While no professional can guarantee future outcomes, many families use Parent Coordination to improve communication, reduce recurring disputes, and address parenting concerns before they escalate into additional litigation.

Who May Benefit from Parent Coordination?

Parent Coordination may be appropriate for:

• Parents experiencing chronic co-parenting conflict

• Attorneys representing high-conflict custody matters

• Judges seeking structured implementation support

• Families requiring assistance implementing parenting plans

• Cases involving repeated child-related disputes after judgment

PBH Behavioral Consulting & Counseling

PBH Behavioral Consulting & Counseling (PBHBCC) provides telehealth Parent Coordination services within the scope of applicable state law, court orders, and professional standards in Florida, Louisiana, Washington, and Nevada.

Every matter is approached with neutrality, procedural fairness, child-focused decision-making, and respect for the legal process. Parent Coordination is not psychotherapy or legal representation and should not be viewed as a substitute for legal advice.

If you are an attorney, judge, or parent wondering whether Parent Coordination may be appropriate for your situation, PBHBCC welcomes the opportunity to discuss the process, explain the scope of services, and determine whether the matter is appropriate for referral.

About the Author

Heather T. Landry is a Licensed Mental Health Professional licensed in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Nevada. Her practice focuses on high-conflict family systems, Parent Coordination, Reunification Therapy, psycholegal services, organizational behavioral leadership, and multidisciplinary collaboration.