Family Therapy & Counselling in Edmonton
Family Therapy
Parenting, Separation and Divorce Counselling
Supporting Your Family
Edmonton Family Therapy
What is Family Therapy?
Family therapy or family counselling is part of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in Edmonton to nurture change and development. We work closely with families when they are going through significant challenges like separation, divorce, marital discord, co-parenting discord, sibling conflict, or conflict between a parent and child.
Edmonton Family Therapy
What are the Scientific Benefits of Family Therapy?
According the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, evidence-based research supports the effectiveness of family therapy in treating a broad range of problems, as well as its superiority to other treatments. For example, one study found that 76% of patients who underwent family counselling were better off than those with alternative treatments.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health notes that family therapy benefits a range of people, including those who are:
- Seeking closer family relationships
- Coping with mental or physical illness
- Facing parenting challenges
- Getting a divorce or separation
Edmonton Family Therapy
How Does Family Therapy Work?
We appreciate how stressful life can be for you and your family, especially if you’re going through a separation or divorce. We seek to obtain signed written consent from both parents, although there are some situations where only one parent or guardian needs to provide consent. Some agreements need to be very detailed when co-parents are in conflict and we tailor the consent to each family.
In high-conflict divorce cases where a child refuses or resists a parent, we use the Overcoming Barriers Approach (OCB). In doing so, we build effective co-parenting structures that are in the child’s best interest.
Generally, we ask for information from both parents as part of our process. Our goal is to reduce conflict between you and your partner, teaching you how to best support your children and empowering you with tools and skills to mitigate conflict.
Edmonton Legal Interventions
What are Legal Interventions?
Legal interventions allow us to join an ongoing litigation, often at the discretion of the court. Dr. Jones is experienced in working as an expert for the Court of Queen’s Bench and Provincial Courts of Alberta in family and divorce matters. He can provide Practice Note 7 reports and has the most experience in Parent Psychological Evaluations, Voice of the Child and Triage Evaluative Interventions, as well as Systemic Therapeutic Intervention with the entire family.
Dr. Jones is also trained in mediation of family and divorce conflict and in mediation with clients with personality disorders, so that he can effectively work with co-parents in agreeing on parenting plans, communication protocols, and ways to effectively parent or collaboratively co-parent together.
Edmonton Legal Interventions
How Do Legal Interventions Work?
Many of our clients have their lawyer or legal counsel contact us to discuss your needs. We speak to your legal representatives, or to yourself if you are self-represented, to ensure that our process meets the needs of all parties. We discuss the terms to be included in the Court Order, the timeline, and the type of intervention required.
Once the Court Order is filed, our office will produce a service agreement to make sure the family is aware and consents to the process. Once payment is received, we book our appointments and then produce a report that is sent to your legal counsel and the court. You can then review the contents of the report with your lawyer.
Edmonton Psychological Assessment
What is a Parent-Psychological Assessment?
A Parent-Psychological Assessment is a professional evaluation of a parent to identify child maltreatment, neglect or abuse. Research studies have found long-term consequences with child maltreatment, including mental, physical, and social impairment. Childhood maltreatment is also associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders, as well as bi-polar disorder, substance abuse, and many others.
The purpose of the assessment is to provide context to the behaviours, circumstances, and risk factors that may lead to a child’s maltreatment. We use a systems-based approach to understand and respond to child maltreatment. According to the ecological model, child maltreatment may occur due to the interplay between a child’s relationship with others, the community, and the broader cultural context.
Psychology Assessment Edmonton
How Does a Parent-Psychological Assessment Work?
We can conduct an assessment at your request, or as requested by a court order. In both cases, we follow the Practice Note 7 guidelines, as provided by the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. If you would like us to conduct a Parent-Psychological Assessment on your behalf, please contact us to schedule a telephone consultation to discuss our next steps.
In court-ordered assessments, your lawyer can contact us to schedule a telephone consultation with Dr. Jones. Once the court order has been submitted, the services agreement has been signed, and the retainer funds received, Dr. Jones will begin his professional evaluation. This includes collecting data for the assessment via history gathering, a clinical interview, standardized testing, a home visit, document review, and collateral contact. Dr. Jones will then write a report to send to the appropriate parties. This process may take up to three months to complete.
To Learn More About Conducting a Parent-Psychological Assessment:
Edmonton Family Therapy & Legal Interventions
Family Therapy & Legal Interventions Cost
Most health and wellness plans offered by your employer may cover the services offered by a Registered Psychologist. Contact your insurance company for more details.
Expert Witness Testimony
In Court-
Expert Witness
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Parenting Expert
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Dr. Jones
Expert Witness Testimony
In Court-
Expert Witness
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Parenting Expert
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Dr. Jones
COVID-19 SUPPORT
We are here to support you and your family during these challenging times by offering secure online therapy and counselling options in Edmonton. Our telehealth feature uses secure infrastructure where all data is encrypted and fully compliant with the College of Alberta Psychologists’ Practice Guidelines.