Co-Parenting Instructor

Along with a group of other therapists, Dr. Petrich teaches a six-week class to parents and their children to assist in reducing parental conflict and in influencing the children’s post-divorce adjustment. The program includes helping parents communicate, helping decide on parenting plans, and control of emotions, especially anger management. The focus of the class is assisting parents in disentangling emotionally (from spouses to co-parents) and educating parents regarding the impact of conflict on their child’s development. To help with the stressful schedules of divorcing parents, at the same time as the parents meet, the children of these divorced or divorcing parents meet with a therapist in age groups (5-8 years; 9-12 years; 13-15 years) to talk and support each other and explore their own reactions to the divorce. Childcare is provided as needed.