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Child
consultants

What is the role of Child Consultants?

Child Consultants facilitate the inclusion of children and young people post-separation and as part of the family dispute resolution process by meeting with them to enable the meaningful and safe inclusion of their voice. Our Child Consultants are psychologists with expertise in working with children, young people and families. They have extensive knowledge of the emotional needs of children and young people during separation. Our Child Consultants will help you to focus on and support your child(ren) through family separation.

Group of mixed race children standing together laughing and smiling enjoying their childhood

Child Inclusive Mediation

Child consultants provide feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences and needs to support their parenting and decision making. In mediation they work alongside the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, to formulate developmentally appropriate post-separation parenting agreements, including arrangements for their children. We undertake careful assessment to determine whether Child Inclusive Mediation is a safe and appropriate option for the child/ren involved.

Child Inclusive Mediation in High Conflict Situations

Our Child Consultants provide high-quality services to families experiencing post-separation conflict. This is facilitated by supporting parents’ reflective capacities, that encourages recovery and growth within separated family relationships. Research on the impact of separation on children has shown that ongoing parental conflict can result in negative psychological consequences for children. Use of child inclusive practices can positively shape post-separation co parenting and enhance children’s adjustment to separation.

Our Child Consulting Process

Referral for child inclusive mediation can occur before or during the mediation process or when concerns for child(rens) adjustment to separation are raised.
If Child Sessions are assessed to be appropriate both parents in Family Dispute Resolution will also speak with the Child Consultant.
Following a meeting with each parent, the Child consultant meets with the child, or in the case of sibling groups, children may be seen at the same time and or individually.
Parents are provided with feedback around how their child(ren) are coping with the separation. Parents are supported to assist their child manage identified difficulties. Parents are assisted with appropriate referrals to services where relevant.

Feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences are used in the mediation process to assist parents make decisions in the best interest of their child.
Communication between the child consultant and child is confidential. Our Child consultants will assess the overall wellbeing of your child(ren) and provide feedback to support parenting and decision making. Confidentiality cannot be maintained however if a Duty of Care Issue arises.

Our Mediation process

Communication between the child consultant and the child is confidential. Our Child consultants will assess the overall well-being of your child(ren) and provide feedback to support parenting and decision-making. Confidentiality cannot be maintained however if a Duty of Care Issue arises.
Step 1
Referral for child inclusive mediation can occur before or during the mediation process or when concerns for child(rens) adjustment to separation are raised.
Step 2
If Child Sessions are assessed to be appropriate both parents in Family Dispute Resolution will also speak with the Child Consultant.
Step 3
Following a meeting with each parent, the Child consultant meets with the child, or in the case of sibling groups, children may be seen at the same time and or individually.
Step 4
Parents are provided with feedback around how their child(ren) are coping with the separation. Parents are supported to assist their child manage identified difficulties. Parents are assisted with appropriate referrals to services where relevant.
Step 5
Feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences are used in the mediation process to assist parents make decisions in the best interest of their child.

Child consultants provide feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences and needs to support their parenting and decision making. In mediation they work alongside the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, to formulate developmentally appropriate post-separation parenting agreements, including arrangements for their children. We undertake careful assessment to determine whether Child Inclusive Mediation is a safe and appropriate option for the child/ren involved.
Our Child Consultants provide high-quality services to families experiencing post-separation conflict. This is facilitated by supporting parents’ reflective capacities, which encourages recovery and growth within separated family relationships. Research on the impact of separation on children has shown that ongoing parental conflict can result in negative psychological consequences for children. Use of child-inclusive practices can positively shape post-separation co-parenting and enhance children’s adjustment to separation.

Our team of mediators can help you resolve family and financial matters; assist with parenting plans; offer child inclusive mediations and issue s60i certificates. 

Our team of Child Consultants can work with your child/children to ensure their voice is heard during mediation.  

Psychologists who can provide nurturing counselling support to your child; give parenting support and advice; assist with conflict.

Our team, of mediators, child consultants and psychologists, work closely together to help people going through separation and divorce feel supported, involved and informed.

We can help you separate smarter.

It is our passion, at The Australian Family Mediation Group, to help families separate well. Please contact us to see how we can assist you and your family today.

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Sue Boursiani

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

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Sue Boursiani is a Senior Psychologist, trained Child Consultant and accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with over 25 years’ experience working with children, young people and their families.  Drawing from extensive experience in trauma-informed practice, Sue offers highly tailored family mediation services, skilfully navigating challenging family transitions to resolve disputes for both parenting and financial matters.  Through her work as a Child Consultant, Sue adeptly integrates the voices of children, positively shaping post-separation parenting with empathy and insight.  With a wealth of experience in complex family dynamics and relationship breakdown, Sue is committed to empowering individuals going through  separation. She helps them achieve workable and sustainable resolutions in financial matters and co-parenting arrangements for their children,  effectively avoiding protracted conflict and court involvement.

Tim Smith

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

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Tim is one of the co-founders of the Australian Family Mediation Group and has a diverse background in conflict management and mediation having worked in a variety of family-oriented intervention-based services. He has fine-tuned a strong, unique and effective style of family mediation where his primary goal is for family members in conflict to reach sustainable parenting and property agreements while avoiding where possible the mental anguish and high costs of Court-based litigation. Tim is a straight talker, with a compassionate and results-oriented approach. He also holds several post graduate degrees including a masters degree in mental health, and a second masters degree in conflict management and resolution. 

Katrina Thornley

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

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Katrina is a qualified family dispute resolution practitioner and experienced psychologist. She has worked with numerous families going through separation and divorce. Her calm, confident approach, together with her experience and understanding of people, helps her to be an effective, solution focused mediator.