High Conflict Parent Education Classes

Do you know divorced or separated parents that are in high conflict?  Perhaps you and your ex-spouse are in high conflict (the so-called “frequent flyers” in court?)

During divorce or separation, parents often learn that research plainly shows relentless conflict between parents will negatively affect children’s social, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning.  Your child’s healthy development is negatively affected by how much open conflict with the other parent the child is exposed to.

The good news is that professionals can teach parents skills to reduce conflict and minimize negative impacts of divorce upon children. The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology Center of Excellence for Children, Families, and the Law program is of the belief that:

• Parenting together doesn't end when your relationship ends
• Most parents can learn to parent together even after they separate
• Children do better when their parents are not fighting
• Parents do better when children do better
• There are skills that help people solve disagreements
• Parents can learn these skills

The Center of Excellence for Children, Families, and the Law High Conflict Parent Education Classes teach parents how to minimize negative impacts of divorce upon children.  The class is taught by a two person team of gender mixed and skilled mixed professionals, one psychologist and one lawyer,  with expert knowledge of the intersection of the family, the legal system, and the mental health professions. The MSPP program consists of 9 evening sessions, 3 hours each, for a total of 27 hours.  Attendance at every single class is mandatory.  The course syllabus is a well-established model used in other states with significant success in teaching cooperative co-parenting with positive outcomes for children of divorcing parents. 

A Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge must order parties to attend the program. Once the order is received, the organization conducts an intake and screening process with each parent.  Then a class is formed with 12 parents (6 couples) to learn skills that include:

• ways to communicate;
• ways to solve disagreements and stay out of court; and
• ways to help parents recognize common situations for children of divorce, and pick the solution that is best for the child(ren).

Each class begins with dinner and “good stuff” where parents share stories of the children’s experiences throughout the week. In every session, conflict resolution skills are developed and practiced around specific parenting issues like discipline, transfers, attending the child’s activities at the same time, step-parents and step-siblings, holiday and vacation scheduling. The classes take place in West Roxbury on the Newton border. The fee for the class is $950 per person.  A small price to pay to help your child(ren) and to learn from experienced professionals.

For more information about this program, contact Honorable Christina Harms (Ret.), Director, Child and Family Psychological Evaluation Service or 617-323-6662 x532.

Falmouth Mediation is proud to spread the word about this and other programs that help divorcing and divorced parents in Massachusetts learn to effectively co-parent after divorce.