MEET DR. KATRINA KUZYSZYN-JONES
Dr. Katrina works with individuals and families to develop or strengthen co-parenting relationships and reestablish themselves as individuals after divorce. She has an MA in forensic psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Dr. Katrina utilizes mindfulness and problem solving based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Visit her website, connect on LinkedIn.
IN THIS PODCAST
SUMMARY
- Things for divorcing parents to consider
- To have a parent-coordinator or not?
- Involving the kids in co-parenting decisions
- Co-parenting situations in expanded families post-divorce
THINGS FOR DIVORCING PARENTS TO CONSIDER
Co-parenting needs to evolve with the children as they grow up. The co-parenting agreement that applied when they were young will not be as useful for when they enter high school. Parents can reevaluate their co-parenting strategies with an attorney and consider long-term planning together.
TO HAVE A PARENT-COORDINATOR OR NOT?
Parents can make an agreement, either in writing or verbally, to say that they will see someone like Dr. Katrina or follow her recommendation when they come into issues. If they want things to move faster or want to work with leverage, a parent-coordinator can get a judge to sign a court-order and get the issue revolved quickly if one parent is not holding up their end of the bargain.
However, if the parents or a parent does not have faith that the court will make the right decisions for them, they can follow Dr. Katrina’s recommendations, because they may like working with somebody who can lay it out personally for them and work with them as human beings.
INVOLVING THE KIDS IN CO-PARENTING DECISIONS
Dr. Katrina meets with the children very early on in the process of collaborative divorces. By speaking with the children and discussing with parents, Dr. Katrina is able to understand the objective perspective around the family and is, therefore, able to provide insights to inform the parents’ decisions.
By discussing with the children and the parents separately, they are able to express their feelings in a safe space and the children do not feel like they have to please their parents with certain answers their parents expect from them. The focus can therefore be placed on what works best for all parties involved.
CO-PARENTING SITUATIONS IN EXPANDED FAMILIES POST-DIVORCE
Dr. Katrina works with her clients and encourages them to think about and set up basic systems for possibilities such as remarrying and stepchildren from the get-go. By having these discussions with your ex and a co-parenting advisor like Dr. Katrina, you are able to understand where certain boundaries lie and what to do that is best for the children before taking any serious action.
Dr. Katrina recommends that families take a year before remarrying or changing the plans to get the family and the children comfortable first.
