Reunification Therapy
The Creative Therapy Center provides reunification therapy services to children and their families. REUNIFICATION THERAPY IS NOT AN EVALUATION OR A PROCESS THAT WILL RESULT IN ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. Reunification therapy is a process by which families can build healthy and connected relationships in the midst of difficult transitions, particularly in situations in which one parent has not had regular contact with the child(ren). The goal of reunification therapy is the re-establishing of the parent/child relationship.
At The Creative Therapy Center we use a specific model of reunification therapy, called CCRT, which we have found to be most effective with families that have prolonged conflicts and complicated clinical issues, which are common in families seeking reunification therapy. Both parents are required to participate in the reunification process, as both affect the outcome of the process for the child(ren).
Child-Centered Reunification Therapy, or CCRT, was developed by in 2013 by Dr. Nicole Baker in response to the clinical needs and court-ordered demands for reunification between an estranged parent and child and is rooted in several different family therapy theories. CCRT is a systemic approach to reunification therapy between a rejected parent and a child. While traditional reunification therapy focuses on enhancing and growing the rejected parent and child’s relationship, CCRT expands the work to encompass the aligned parent and any other significant people in the child’s life. CCRT focuses on creating a strong parental subsystem in a system where the parents may be conflictual, traumatized, or even strangers while growing the confidence in the child to accept equal, loving relationships from both parenting parties.
CCRT is designed to give children a voice in a process that is typically adult focused. CCRT is designed to give the child the confidence to make decisions about their life, the reunification therapy process and the development of their relationship with the rejected parent with the support and guidance of a therapist.
CCRT respects past hurts, traumas and feelings of all parties involved in the process. CCRT allows for individual sessions of all parties to address these issues, work toward resolution, and promote growth of a relationship between the rejected parent and the child. Shaming and blaming does not occur in the CCRT process. Each parenting party’s feelings are honored and respected about the opposite parent; however, emphasis is placed upon the idea that the child or children have a right to an equal relationship with both parents.
Dr. Nicole Baker has conducted original research during her Doctoral program on CCRT and published her dissertation on the topic. Dr. Baker continues to train clinicians and provide on-going consultation on CCRT.
Please contact Nicole at 763-274-0510 for more information.