Reunification Therapy

Reunification Therapy  (or reconciliation therapy) is a specialized form of family therapy with the goal of reunifying an estranged parent and his/her child. This therapeutic approach sees the divided family as a unit supporting the child through a complicated process of building or rebuilding trust with an absent caregiver.

All family members bring hopes and fears to the process of reunifying. Renew’s therapists support parents to work together as a team that remains focused on the needs of their child.

Renew’s reunification counselling program is a 12-session therapeutic approach, which encompasses the following elements:

• Therapist meets with each parent individually to gain a better understanding of each parent’s hopes and expectations for reunification
• Assessment and Reunification Plan: working with the primary caregiver and child/ren to support and prepare the child/ren for the first visit
• Psychoeducation: assessing and building upon parenting skills (attachment, developmental stages, separation anxiety, positive parenting skills)
• Parenting Time: Renew’s team of Parenting Time supervisors document visits and provide notes to all parties including the therapist
• Post Parenting Time Follow-up: therapist meets with all parties after initial visit to ensure the child(ren) are feeling secure, to ensure the agreed upon reunification plan is being implemented, and to make adjustments when appropriate
• Ongoing psychoeducational support continues for visiting parent until routine is established and healthy bonds are forming

Reunification Counselling, like any therapeutic approach, does not guarantee the successful reunification of child/ren and parent. Rather, it is a supportive process, providing psychoeducation and counselling support. Success is driven by the parents’ ability to work together and put the needs of their child first.

*Based on Group Benefits Plan, fees for service may be covered under Social Work