When separation happens,
families need to adjust and reorganize.
We know separation and divorce can be a challenging time. As parents, you need to make new arrangements and schedules. Your children may need support adapting in positive ways. And communication still needs to happen - despite negative emotions or disagreements getting in the way.
With our professional counsellors, we provide a non-judgemental space so you can talk through and plan:
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Living arrangements
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Parenting time
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Caregiving for the children
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Parent-to-parent communication
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Communication with the children
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Extra-curricular activities
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Education
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Discipline
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Extended family / Introduction of new partners
During this significant life transition, Strong Ties offers a range of counselling services to support you and your family. Together, we’ll work to reduce conflict, improve communication, and implement thoughtful parenting decisions that respond to your children's developmental and emotional needs.
Co-parenting and Divorce Counselling with
Gisella La Madrid
Gisella La Madrid is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, trained to support you through co-parenting, separation and divorce, child therapy or Hear the Child interviews. With compassion and expertise, Gisella and her team guide families towards healing and finding constructive solutions.
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Child & Family Counsellor
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Child Specialist & Divorce Coach
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Hear the Child Report Interviewer
Separation & Divorce Counselling Services
1. Co-parenting Counselling
We know hard conversations need to happen, and it can be difficult to reach unanimous parenting decisions after a separation.
Through a blend of psycho-education, mediation and counselling skills, we help parents manage conflict, improve communication, and make decisions that benefit the whole family. Our approach is solution-focused and strength-based, which means we help you find effective ways to move forward while identifying areas of conflict and developing new skills to manage.
Alongside our therapists, we’ll work to make thoughtful decisions that also focus on the developmental and socio-emotional needs of your children. Our work in co-parenting counselling can be translated into a parenting agreement, and also lead to positive parenting decisions and better relationships.
2. Divorce Coach
Going through a divorce often triggers a range of emotional and physical responses for our clients. From grief to anger and anxiety, we understand this can make it harder to make decisions with clarity and confidence.
As Divorce Counsellors and Coaches, our therapists help you and your partner communicate, set goals, and solve family or parenting matters. Alongside the emotional support you need throughout this process, we’re also trained to help you create a Parenting Plan that responds to the needs of your children and family (this plan can later be included as an appendix in your Separation Agreement).
Collaborative Divorce
Our services are sometimes required as part of Collaborative Law. In this model, we work alongside collaborative lawyers, child specialists and financial experts to help parents create unique solutions that respond to the family values and goals. With care and expertise, our therapists can assist teams in supporting both parties, and ensure agreements are made that consider the impact for all family members.
3. Child Specialist
During a separation or divorce, we know as parents you want to make sure your child’s well-being is a priority.
A Child Specialist may be required to meet individually with your child or children, and later bring their views and interests to your coaches and counsellors. Involving a specialist helps ensure the divorce process is as smooth as possible for your children, while promoting emotional stability and positive co-parenting outcomes.The information provided by our team also helps you take into consideration your children's needs in your Parenting Plan.
4. Hear The Child Reports
A HTC Report is a non-evaluative and honest reflection of a child’s own voice during times of family transition or breakdown. It gives children the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings, ensuring their perspective is truly heard and considered when decisions are made about their future.
Working together, we ensure your child is in control of what is shared and that nothing is included in the report without their permission, allowing them to feel safe and empowered in the process. Our team never includes any recommendations, nor will it state the opinions of the interviewer. We simply document words and emotions to be shared without bias or interpretation.
Gisella guided us through a very hard time for our family. We left her sessions with valuable solutions on how to guide our kids and better communicate as a family in transition. Thank you for your support!
Proud members of
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Take the next step with separation and divorce counselling
or a dedicated child specialist
Get in touch today for more information or to book your first appointment. Our separation and divorce counsellors are here to support you and your children with the resources to move forward. We proudly serve Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge.