Family Consultants

The involvement of other professionals in the collaborative process recognises that for many clients, the experience of separation has a far deeper impact over the greater timescale than the strictly "legal" approach can address. These other professionals may be involved to help the clients, and their children on occasions, to cope with emotional, financial and other issues.

Some clients will need help from a "family consultant" (called "coaches" in the US) in many ways including:

Dealing with their "ex" in and outside of negotiations.
Adjusting to the practical reality of the divorce and the many and major changes in finance, accommodation, care of children etc.
Coping with the emotional impact over.
Coming to terms with loss and the end of a relationship.
Developing new skills for the future.
Decision making.

The role of the family consultant has to be very flexible and dependant on the particular needs of the clients. They may see both clients or one client. Each client may see a different family consultant and there may be meetings with all four present. All collaborative professionals, including the family consultants, have a commitment to helping the process for all concern in additional to their particular client or clients (who will know that appropriate information may be shared by the professionals to assist this). The role requires highly skilled professionals who can respond to the demands of family conflict and breakdown.