Find answers to common questions about our services and the ways in which can support you.
Please make contact here.
Yes, services may be provided via video conference. Family reports, however, are completed at the premises in Noosaville.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us here. We are happy to offer a 15-minute phone call to discuss your needs.
Yes, or alternatively, you may consider a 15-minute phone call to discuss your needs. Either way, please contact us here.
Depending on what service you are seeking, and what stage you are at in your journey, it may be possible to provide services in addition to your existing services. Please clarify before engaging services.
Co-parenting support may assist you in preparation for these services. Child Inclusive Consultancy is usually completed within a mediation process.
Yes, this is usually organised during the Court processes via the lawyers or Independent Child Lawyer associated with the case.
Family Reports often requires liaison with other professionals. If this is considered necessary for other services (e.g., Child-Inclusive Consultancy), your consent will be sought prior to doing so.
Dr. Connell has a solid understanding of high-conflict situations and domestic violence. In addition to completing a Clinical Master of Psychology and Doctorate with a thesis subject in this area, she has completed additional training in family dynamics, risk assessment, and other pertinent topics. Dr. Connell completes regular Continuing Professional Development to ensure her skills remain relevant and current.
Parents will be provided an information sheet with suggestions on how to explain the process, and this will be explained again before the session commences to ensure understanding. Children are interviewed in an age-appropriate way (e.g., using play, drawing, or other activities) so there is a relaxed environment for them to feel comfortable and engaged.
Parents will be provided an information sheet with suggestions on how to explain the process, and this will be explained again before the session commences to ensure understanding. Children are interviewed in an age-appropriate way (e.g., using play, drawing, or other activities) so there is a relaxed environment for them to feel comfortable and engaged.
Family violence is taken very seriously and is assessed and accounted for in the services provided.
It is important to account for people’s cultural and/or religious backgrounds in all services, including in making recommendations for Family Reports. This information is provided in the initial interview process and clarified where necessary.
Unless Court ordered, Parenting Coordination, Child Inclusive Consultancy, and Family Reports require the consent of both parents. Without this, services cannot be commenced.
Resources, information, and toolkits are often provided to parents in these situations as part of the process of engaging in services.
We recognize that extended family members are sometimes overlooked in this process. If they are not part of the service provided, we would encourage them to seek their own supports.
Depending on what services are required, costs do vary. For details, please contact us here.
Dr. Connell maintains a limited number of clients to ensure that adequate attention is given to all. Some people may be eligible for a reduced-fee service. To assess your eligibility, please contact us here with the service that you are seeking and concession details.
You will be reminded of appointments and provided adequate notice to reschedule. We provide reminders as a courtesy and expect the same courtesy in return. We do have a strict policy in place for late cancellations—this information is provided on our consent forms.
Co-parenting support helps parents navigate the challenges of raising children after separation and managing the dynamics between a parent and their ex-partner. It includes strategies for effective communication, conflict resolution, and ensuring the children’s needs are met in a stable, appropriate manner.
Co-parenting support provides tools to improve communication, reduce conflict, and create a collaborative approach to parenting. Often if one parent learns these skills, it helps the other parent to also focus on the best interests of the children and learn to manage any disagreements in a healthy way.
Co-parenting support is aimed at parents attending individually. If both parents are in agreement to attend together, see Parenting Coordination.
Sessions typically last around 55 minutes, with the frequency and number of sessions tailored to meet the needs of the attending parent.
Parenting coordination is a child-focused process to help parents in high-conflict situations implement their parenting plans and resolve disputes outside of court.
Parenting coordination is often recommended when parents struggle to
communicate effectively or reach agreements about their children’s needs post-separation.
Parenting coordinators can assist with scheduling, decision-making about
education, healthcare, and activities, or handling communication between
parents.
Parenting coordination can be legally binding if the Court orders it or if both parents agree to follow the recommendations made during sessions.
Parenting coordination is offered to both parents together so that both can learn and share experiences together. However, sometimes individual time is provided as part of a session. If you are seeking individual sessions, please see Co-parenting Support.
Parenting coordination can help you and your ex-partner develop effective co-parenting strategies, manage conflict, and better understand your child’s needs during difficult times.
Yes, parenting coordination can provide tools for communication and conflict resolution, even in high-conflict situations.
Sessions are typically scheduled based on the family’s needs, but a common frequency is once a month.
Sessions typically last around 60-75 minutes, but this can vary based on
individual needs.
Child-inclusive consultancy involves including the child’s perspective in the
mediation process to ensure their views and best interests are considered. The child’s developmental needs are taken into account as well.
Child-Inclusive Consultancy works primarily with the child/ren of the family to ascertain their thoughts, wishes, and desires over 1–2 sessions. This is to assist the parents to work together to come to agreement for Parenting Plans or Orders. Family therapy involves working with the whole family on an ongoing basis to support them in working through issues that have arisen.
The professional meets with the child or children separately to understand their thoughts and feelings. This information is then shared with the parents in a way that helps inform decision-making.
Children typically need to be mature enough to express their thoughts and
feelings clearly, generally around 4 years old or older.
What the child shares in the consultancy session is handled with care and
confidentiality; however, the professional and the child discuss and agree upon what is necessary and useful to share with their parents.
The process varies depending on the complexity of the case, but generally, child-inclusive consultancy involves two sessions to cover the child’s involvement and the parents’ decision-making process.
You can schedule an appointment by getting in touch via our Contact page.
An initial questionnaire is sent prior to appointments with questions about the family situation and family members, the age of the child/ren involved, any special needs or developmental considerations, and other relevant information.
Yes. If grandparents or other extended family members are involved in caregiving, they may be invited to be part of the process.
Fees depend on the service provided and the complexity of the family situation.
For more detailed information on pricing, please get in touch via our Contact page.
I offer sessions in-person in our clinic in Noosaville.
I am a Clinical Psychologist with years of experience in child development, a special interest in separated families, and I am a member of the Family Law Pathways Association. I am also a qualified mediator and have obtained separate qualifications in Parenting Coordination. For more information, visit the About Me page.
A family report is an assessment prepared by a qualified professional (often a psychologist or social worker) to provide recommendations to the Court, or to assist mediators or family lawyers, about parenting arrangements that support the child’s best interests.
Family reports are prepared by court-appointed professionals or private
practitioners with expertise in family dynamics, child development, and family law.
It includes observations and assessments of each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s needs, the family’s situation, and recommendations for parenting arrangements.
No, a family report is not legally binding, but it carries significant weight in Court decisions regarding parenting arrangements and is prepared with the child’s best interests in mind.
Information is collected through interviews with each parent, the child/ren of the relationship (if age-appropriate), and sometimes other family members or professionals involved with the family.
The process typically takes several weeks, from the first contact to completion of the report, depending on the complexity of the family situation and the professional’s availability. Reports are typically completed following the appointments within 2-3 weeks.
In court-ordered cases, the professional is often assigned. In private
arrangements, you may choose a professional experienced in family reports.
It’s helpful to think about your child’s needs and your approach to parenting, but the best approach is to be open and honest. There’s no need to “perform” on the day — simply focus on providing accurate information and cooperating with the interviewer.
The report will be sent to your solicitors if they or the Court have ordered it, after which you will be able to see it (unless restricted for specific legal reasons).
Costs vary widely; Court-ordered reports are paid for by the Court, while private report costs are usually shared equally between the parties. Rates may vary depending on the complexity and length of time required to write the report. For specific fees, please get in touch via the Contact page.
Parents and other relevant family members, including the child/ren of the relationship, attend an appointment where they are interviewed. This, along with background information, provides adequate details to enable completion of the report.
Yes, if they are of a suitable age and maturity. Professionals use various methods to work with the child and generally this is for children over 4 years of age. Sessions are conducted sensitively to understand their experiences and preferences.
Professionals assess the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs, their relationship with each parent, and any risk factors affecting their well-being.
The professional will consider any allegations and consider concerns related to safety and well-being. The report may recommend protective measures if necessary. People who work with children are required by law to make mandatory reports in the case that any risk is identified.
While not binding, a family report is highly influential. Courts often rely on its
recommendations to make informed decisions about parenting arrangements.
The aim is to complete reports in a timely manner, e.g., within two weeks. However, this depends on the complexity of the report.
Family reports reflect the family’s situation at the time of assessment. Significant changes in circumstances may require an updated report.
Court Reports are a stand-alone service, and subsequent communication may not be entered into.
