Co-parenting during the Covid-19 pandemic

For many families, COVID-19 is adding significantly to the stresses of co-parenting. For many, many families it will make sense for plans to change. If you and your co-parent are navigating this challenging time effectively that’s great. You are to be commended for being able to pull together to meet your children’s needs. Keep doing what you are doing.
If you are currently experiencing conflict regarding transitioning your children or mitigating their exposure, here are some general recommendations.

The AFCC and the AAML, who have been leaders in developing resources and supports for families in conflict and the professionals who support them have put together some guidelines — click here to view.

We recommend following those guidelines unless you or your children are at an increased risk of exposure and fall into the groups directed to self-isolate by BC’s Provincial Health Officer. If in doubt, we recommend that you contact your family doctor or the COVID info line at 1-888-268-4319 (1-888-COVID19) open daily. You can find the COVID-19 assessment tool here – https://covid19.thrive.health/

Sonya Vellet

Registered Psychologist (Certificate Number BC: 2113)
Vellet & Associates Child Psychological Services Inc.

Victoria, BC

T: 778-879-6449
E: svellet2@gmail.com
W: velletandassociates.com

Fees: TBD

Dr. Vellet is a Registered Psychologist in private practice in Victoria and other communities on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. She has specialized in children’s mental health and caregiver-infant/child attachment. Dr. Vellet provides a wide variety of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally safe assessment and intervention services for caregivers and infants/children experiencing challenges in their attachment relationships, training and supervision to professionals, and is a court-appointed expert in these two areas in Alberta.

Dr. Vellet has worked on the traditional territories of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (Port Alberni), Squamish Nation (Shéwaynewas Family Program), Ayas Men Men Child & Family Services, (North Vancouver), and Long Lake 58 First Nation (Long Lake, Ontario) and supported Indigenous families involved with the Calgary Urban Project Society, the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, and Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society.

Dr. Vellet collaborates with professionals from various systems to address the developmental and mental health needs of infants and children who have been placed in out-of-home care. Dr. Vellet also works as a Child Specialist to offer a team-based and attachment-informed Collaborative Process to support families in transition related to separation and divorce. Dr. Vellet is also a Roster Member of the BC Hear the Child Society.

Dr. Vellet’s previous academic appointments include as a Clinical Associate in the Department of Psychology and Simon Fraser University, as a sessional instructor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia, and in the Faculty of Education at Vancouver Island University. Dr. Vellet is also an organic gardener and potter.

Lurline Raposo

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Allius Serivces Inc.
207A, 335 Wesley St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T5

T: 250.619.0363
E: support@allius.ca
W: allius.ca

I have been professionally interviewing children and youth since 1996. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor so my private practice is designed with children in mind. I have extensive background and formal training in child and adolescent psychotherapy, child development, co-parenting in separated families, and family court report writing and assessment.

Over the years, I have focused my clinical practice in divorce and separation. As a play therapist, I offer young clients a comfortable, child-friendly atmosphere that supports open communication. My experience as a counsellor allows me to build the rapport necessary for successful interviews with young people.

The child’s voice and perspectives can add richness to the conversations that parents and legal professionals need, to develop meaningful plans that work for everyone impacted by the family situation.

Nicole Hemstad-Leete, MSW RSW

Founder
Be The Change Counselling and Consulting Services

E: bethechangebc@gmail.com
W: www.bethechangebc.com

Nikki was born and raised in Mackenzie BC, a small mill town in northern BC. In 2017, along with her husband, she moved to the Kootenays to experience life in the mountains hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing and kayaking.

Nikki received her education through the University of Northern BC. With 26 years of practice experience, she has worked extensively with families, children and youth. She began her career as the Coordinator of RCMP Victim Services and from there moved into Child Protection and Adoption Social Work with Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Nikki also has experience with Guardianship and Foster Caregiving through Carrier Sekani Family Services. With almost 10 years instructing social work at the post-secondary level, Nikki has imparted her knowledge and experience to hundreds of students, particularly about the importance of empowering others and encouraging children and youth to speak their truth.

Nikki holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work as well as certification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and SAFE/STEP-WISE interviewing. Nikki is a trained neutral child interviewer with HTC, and has been registered with the BC College of Social Workers, (since 2006) and frequently works with children and youth in her private clinical counselling practice.

P.J.D. v. W.K.W., 2019 BCSC 1188

The father of 12 year old twins sought an equal time-sharing arrangement. The mother gave evidence that the children said they wanted to spend less time with their father, because they were upset by his criticism of them and of the mother. As the father had not cooperated in having a Views of the Child report prepared, the judge held that there was no evidence to counter the mother’s testimony that the children wanted to spend less time with the father. The judge accepted the mother’s evidence of the children’s views and reduced the father’s parenting time.

The mother’s evidence was that the children had told her that they wanted to spend less time with the father. The father said that the children said it was more that they wanted to spend time with friends, not that they did not want to see him. The parties had consented to an order that a Views of the Child report be prepared, but it had not been done because the father disagreed with the mother paying for the report, subject to apportionment of costs at trial. Mr. Justice Skolrood declined to draw an adverse inference from the father’s interference with preparation of the Views of the Child report, but noted that the absence of such a report meant that the only evidence of the children’s views was the mother’s testimony. As there was no evidence to counter that of the mother about the children’s wishes, the judge accepted that both children had expressed a desire to spend less time with the father, and the result was a reduction of the father’s parenting time.

Read the full case (see specific discussion at paras 41-48 and 63-65).

Kimberly Anne Kelly

Lawyer and Family Law Mediator

Interior Law LLP
318 Main Street
Penticton, BC, V2A 5C3

T: 250-770-7877
F: 250-770-1001
E: kim@interiorlaw.ca
W: www.interiorlaw.ca

Fee: TBD

Kim has lived and practiced law in Penticton for over 13 years. Kim is an accredited Family Law Mediator, Parenting Coordinator and Family Law Arbitrator. While her background is in family law litigation, Kim’s current practice focuses on out of court settlements achieved through the collaborative process, mediation and negotiation. Kim understands the value of children’s voices when families are reorganizing and the importance of accurately reporting their views.

Lori Frank

Family Mediator

Lori Frank Mediation & Consulting
Greater Victoria

T: 250-516-4234
E: lori@lorifrankmediation.com
W: https://courtreportsbc.ca/

Fees: $800 for first child, $1,300 for two children, $400 each additional child

Lori has been working with families for over 25 years in various roles. She currently works in private practice as a Family Mediator assisting couples who are navigating separation and divorce. She also provides coaching around conflict resolution and co-parenting.

Lori has had the privilege of being invited to the table in family homes, community organizations, indigenous communities, schools and government offices. She brings with her a high level of empathy, understanding, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

In her role as a non-evaluative interviewer of children, Lori begins by ensuring parents understand the process and have provided consent. She creates a comfortable and friendly environment, always adapted for the age of the child being interviewed. Lori believes it is important for children whose parents are separating or divorcing to have an opportunity to express their views and have their voice heard.

Lori works with children ages 6 to 18. She specializes in working with children who have a developmental disability.

Lori works in Greater Victoria and communities across Vancouver Island. Lori will choose an interview location that is convenient for you.

Cori L. McGuire

Barrister and Solicitor

Cori L. McGuire Law Corporation
Innovation Centre
106 – 460 Doyle Ave.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 0C2

T: 250-717-0926
E: kelownalawyer@shaw.ca

Fee: $300.00 per hour

 

Cori has been interviewing children for the courts since 1999. She is one of the first members and organizers of the BC pilot non-evaluative interview program in 2005. Cori is the past chair of the CBA National Child and Youth Law Section and Family Law Section. She has training in working with children with special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder and is the mother of four children. Cori is a family law lawyer, parenting coordinator, mediator and arbitrator.

Catherine Williams

Therapist
Catherine Williams Clinical Services
Cottonwood Creek Wellness
2124 Ymir Rd. Nelson BC V1L 6Y9

T: 250-352-0122
E: therapy@catherinewilliams.ca
W: www.catherinewilliams.ca

Fees: $850 for the first child, $700 for each additional child

I have both an undergraduate and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Family Practice. I am registered with the BC College of Social Workers (RCSW). After 20 years of working as a therapist with Child and Youth Mental Health Services, I have transitioned into Private Practice. I am the founding owner and director of Cottonwood Creek Wellness, a counselling and natural health center in Nelson (www.cottonwood.ca).

I am a Provincial Trainer with the government, providing professional development training for teachers on how to support children and youth with anxiety. I remain passionate about strengthening the attachment relationship between children and their parents and am well reputed in the area for this in depth family work. I have interviewed hundreds of children, youth and their parents over the years and am skilled at asking questions that get to the heart of the matter.

Although Hear The Child Interviews do not involve therapy, it is important that children feel safe and comfortable in order to say what they really think and feel. Hear The Child Interviews are a great fit for me.