Family Professional Linda Behr Social Work Professional Corporation 54 Yellowood Circle Thornhill, Ontario L4J 8M1 Phone: 416-704-5475 Fax: 1-800-707-1027 Email: lbhr@rogers.com Website: lindabehr.com Linda is a registered social worker with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She has worked as a counsellor in both private practice and health care settings …
Family Professional Offices in Thornhill and Whitby Phone: (416) 464-1135 Fax: (416) 464-1135 Email: cchisvin@rogers.com Website: www.cindychisvintherapy.com Cindy Chisvin is a member of The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals. With over twenty-five years of professional experience Cindy completed her Masters of Education degree, with a special focus on counseling therapy, from University of Toronto. …
Family Professional Risa Ennis Family Mediation and Counselling Services 3300 Highway 7, Suite 901 Vaughan, ON L4K 4M3 Phone: (416) 636-2946 Email: risasmediation@rogers.com Website: www.tamingyourego.com “After being an at home mom for thirteen years, Risa became certified as a Parent Educator to pursue her goal of helping other parents develop strong self-esteem in their children. …
Family Professional Markham Executive Suites 7030 Woodbine Ave., 5th Floor Markham, ON L4C 2A6 Phone: (416) 828-4470 Email: allysongardner@rogers.com “Allyson Gardner is an experienced Child and Family Therapist, Collaborative Family Professional, Separation and Divorce Consultant, and a Custody and Access Assessor. Allyson, who is trained in Narrative, Solution-Oriented and Mindfulness-Based Therapy Strategies, operates an established …
Family Professional SG Family Solutions 400 Applewood Cr. Suite 100 Vaughan, ON L4K 0C3 Phone: (416) 803-7870 Fax: (905) 558-0189 Email: sandra@sgfamilysolutions.com Website: www.sgfamilysolutions.com “Sandra is a Registered Social Worker, in practice for the past 27 years. Her experience includes 25 years of working within child welfare, with numerous clinical and supervisory roles, during which …
Family Professional 95 Mural St., Suite 600 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3G2 Phone: (416) 919-4751 Fax: 905-471-3763 Email: kdouse@rogers.com “Karen is a Registered Social Worker, in practice for the past 24 years. Her experience includes 16 years of working at a children’s mental health centre in Toronto, specializing in adolescent mental health and developmental disability. …
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Collaborative Family Law (CFL) is a better alternative to help families resolve the issues arising out of a separation. Click here to learn more about what CFL is, the benefits, the negotiation process, the professionals involved, and how you can start.
Most family issues can benefit from the CFL process including issues concerning child custody and visitation; spousal and child support; property and the family home and changes to existing arrangements.
Difficult communication is a very reasonable part of the process post-separation. Despite your differences, the common goal remains the same, resolving the issue in a cost-efficient way that avoids a lengthy court battle. The collaborative process helps keep things moving and reach an amicable result.
Collaborative family law has both parties sign a participation agreement that agrees to generate options and a mutually acceptable settlement.
Collaboratively trained professionals are present during negotiations to help defuse conflict and guide discussion. The goal of this form of conflict resolution is to help keep things productive and non-confrontational.
Each of the parties will be responsible for paying the fees of his or her own collaborative professionals; sometimes parties agree to share the total fees incurred. The expenses of a negotiation will vary depending on the complexity of the issues and the commitment of clients to work towards a resolution.
A mediator is a neutral person who assists the parties to work out a settlement. The mediator does not act for either party and does not provide legal advice. In a typical family law mediation, the clients attend mediation without their lawyers.
Lawyers for each of the parties then provide independent legal advice regarding any proposed agreements. In a CFL negotiation, each of the parties has a full team present. Each team would provide legal advice, emotional support, and financial planning. The team will work to guide the parties to the best settlement possible.
In a CFL negotiation, the parties and their team commit to resolving the dispute in a cross-disciplinary fashion that no other process offers. In a traditional family law negotiation, the court may be used as a bargaining tool.
In a CFL negotiation, the parties explore options for resolution that fits their individual family’s needs. In a traditional negotiation, typically, only legal options are considered.
In a CFL negotiation, the team works with the client to develop a settlement that that best meets the goals of both parties. In a traditional negotiation, each lawyer advocates solutions that best meet their client’s goals.
In a CFL negotiation, the clients have a voice and take responsibility for resolving the issues in an interest-based approach. In a traditional negotiation, it is the lawyers who maintain control of the process.
The guiding principle of the entire collaborative practice is a sense of respect. The tone of the entire process is made to foster cooperation, respect, and mutual understanding. Collaborative professionals are trained specifically how to create a non-confrontational environment, and focus on areas of agreement. Members involved in the process have a family and child-first mentality, they want what’s best for your family and your future.
If children are involved in your dispute, collaborative family law offers a holistic approach that focuses on the best interest of the children. Our professionals are trained to help create an atmosphere of open communication that encourages trust and respect. If one of your main goals is co-operative parenting, then collaborative practice will help you achieve that.
From our experience, major roadblocks become easier to navigate as you begin to work with a collaborative professional. Our experienced team have handled a variety of complex cases, and know what the cost and outcome will likely look like in court, and will be able to use that as a reference to motivate both parties to achieve an outcome through collaboration.
If there is an impasse, our team meets and works together to resolve the conflict, keeping negotiations productive.
Achieve a settlement in a dignified, respectful, creative and cost effective way. York Collaborative Practice provides an opportunity for you to maintain the integrity of your family as you transition through separation and divorce.
It all starts with reaching out. Browse our list of professionals and find the right person to support you or your family, and reach out to begin moving forward.
York Collaborative members are happy to offer virtual consultations by phone or video. Offices are open by appointment and COVID protocols are observed. Find a professional near you. Learn More Here →
