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In this eye-opening episode, Susan Regan, MFT, sits down with Robert Terris, JD, MFT—attorney, mediator, and therapist—to talk about one of the toughest post-divorce realities: parenting with someone who just won’t cooperate.

Together, they explore the emotional toll, legal roadblocks, and therapeutic options available to parents navigating the exhausting imbalance of being “the responsible one.” You’ll learn how to refocus your energy where it matters, empower your children, and set realistic ...

By Susan Regan, MFT

For many parents, the end of a romantic relationship is just the beginning of a much longer—and often more complex—journey: co-parenting. While the early days after separation tend to be filled with high-stakes emotions and logistical upheaval, the truth is that co-parenting doesn’t begin and end with young children or a standard custody schedule. It evolves. And for it to evolve well, so must we.

At its best, co-parenting is a long-term relationship rooted in adaptability,...

Introduction: The Crossroad of Uncertainty

Many couples find themselves at a crossroad in their relationship, unsure of whether to stay together, separate, or take time to reassess. This emotional limbo can be exhausting, filled with doubt, fear, and conflicting feelings. Discernment Counseling offers a structured way to gain clarity and confidence in making a decision that aligns with your true needs and values.

If you or your partner feel unsure about your relationship but aren’t ready to ma...

Authenticity is the cornerstone of meaningful relationships, yet it can often feel elusive. Whether you’re contemplating the end of a marriage, exploring intimacy in a new relationship, or balancing your own needs with those of others, the ability to show up as your true self is essential. Authenticity isn’t just about honesty—it’s about vulnerability, boundaries, and the courage to align your actions with your values.

Through her thoughtfully designed support groups, Susan Regan, MFT, provides...

In a world that has been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of divorce mediation has not been immune to its impacts. In a recent conversation with Amanda Gordon, a seasoned attorney and mediator based in the East Bay, we explored how the pandemic has reshaped the landscape of divorce and family law—and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents for both professionals and clients alike.

The New Reality: More Demand, Fewer Professionals

As Amanda discussed, the pandemic...

As children transition into adolescence, the dynamics of parenting inevitably shift. Parents often find themselves in a delicate balancing act of providing guidance while allowing their teens to assert their independence. This stage can be particularly challenging for co-parents, especially in situations where there is disengagement or divorce. Today, we delve into the complexities of co-parenting teenagers, exploring the impacts of parental disengagement and divorce, and offering strategies to ...

Sarah and David's story underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between co-parents and children, even as external factors such as new relationships come into play. Be sure to read all the way to the end to get my reaction to this (unfortunately) common scenario.

Once upon a time, there lived a couple named Sarah and David. They were high school sweethearts who tied the knot in their early twenties and welcomed two beautiful children into their lives, Emily and Alex...

My clients have been asking for a little more support around things they're telling me they’re struggling with, such as dealing with new co-parenting challenges and the impact on their relationship, keeping their relationships strong while spending so much extra time together, and finding a way to work on themselves during this time.

So, I invited back one of my colleagues, Robert Terris JD, MFT, who also specializes in working with people dealing with problems within their family. In this talk...

This 25-minute talk addresses several topics related to Parenting During a Pandemic, and most of these extend outside of the current situation as well. 

Whether you're in a single-parenting, double-parenting or co-parenting situation, these resources and information may be relevant and helpful for you.

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Hello,

I've been working with so many clients who are struggling with the new challenges, (amidst the COVID-19 situation) around keeping their children safe, healthy and happy while naviga...

I hope you’re all finding sanity and strength during this challenging time. I wanted to share with you some of the new challenges I’m seeing my clients (who are in a co-parenting arrangement) facing currently. For those of you who are struggling with similar (or other) challenges related to co-parenting in the escalated situation, I hope this will help you to find your way through this new territory.

I’ve been speaking with many co-parent clients, who are facing new and exaggerated challenges d...