Separation and post-divorce counselling

Diane provides coaching to parents and step-parents on how best to help their children through the difficult transition of marital separation or re-marriage, and she works with children directly to help them cope during this unsettling time. Diane has specialized training and over thirty years in child custody mediation and assessments. She has made presentations to the Law Society of Upper Canada and was asked by the Office of the Children's Lawyer to present on "Interviewing Children" at its first province-wide training symposium.

While she no longer provides dispute resolution she has an in depth understanding of the needs of children of divorce. She helps children grieve and cope with the changes, and also improve their ability to articulate their needs and feelings to their parents. Parents receive straight forward advice and ideas on how to help their children make the transition with the least amount of upset possible. 


Step-Parent Consultation

The mean step-parent is a myth. Most step-parents want to have a positive relationship with their step-children and most work hard to establish a strong connection. It can will be challenging and difficult and/or but can be positive and rewarding depending on the many factors of timing, attitudes, and personalities. Step-parenting adds a whole new layer to the complexities of a divorce from the adult and the child's perspective. Receiving the benefit of common sense, practical and experienced coaching can ease the way. Diane can help with important issues such as:

• when to be introduced
• difficulties with blended families
• parenting someone else's children
• working together as a team
• role definition
• coping with parental alienation
• setting boundaries 
• establishing consequences and routines
• coping with feeling left out
• understanding your step-children and including them in the problem solving