Support for families reconnecting after separation.

Ages 4 through adulthood.

 

When a child and parent have experienced a prolonged separation, disrupted contact, or a strained relationship, reconnecting can bring up difficult feelings for everyone involved. At Assessing Alternatives Counseling, reintegration therapy, sometimes called reunification therapy, helps families understand past experiences, rebuild trust, and work toward a healthier relationship. The child’s needs, readiness, and best interests guide the process.

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What reintegration therapy can help with

Therapy focuses on rebuilding trust and attachment, helping children express their feelings and needs, strengthening parent accountability and empathy, and improving communication, boundaries, and parenting skills. The therapist tailors the work to the family’s history and circumstances, including any safety concerns and applicable court orders.

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Stage 1 - Preparation

The therapist meets separately with the child and involved parents or caregivers to understand the family’s history, the separation or disruption in contact, and current concerns. Relevant records and court orders are reviewed, and treatment goals are identified.

 

The child has space to share feelings about contact, identify sources of support, and build rapport with the therapist. Appropriate releases allow coordination with individual therapists or other involved providers when needed. Before moving forward, the therapist considers what preparation each family member needs for direct contact.

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Stage 2 - Accountability

The parent who is reconnecting works on understanding the child’s experiences and demonstrating consistent, responsive parenting. Assignments may focus on empathy, reliability, and taking responsibility for the impact of past events. The parent practices listening and validating feelings without minimizing the child’s experience or shifting blame.

 

This work may include an age-appropriate clarification letter that acknowledges the child’s experiences and feelings. The therapist reviews the letter before it is shared, and several drafts may be needed. Progress is guided by the parent’s follow-through, empathy, and ability to respond to the child’s emotional needs.

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Stage 3 - Clarification

The therapist prepares the child and parent for contact and selects an approach suited to the child’s needs and readiness. When clinically appropriate, the reviewed letter is introduced, with support for the child to process feelings and ask questions.

 

Contact may begin through letters, phone calls, video sessions, or age-appropriate shared activities. Parents prepare to respect agreed-upon boundaries, bring requested materials, and respond to the child’s reactions. The therapist reviews how the child responds and what additional support is needed before sessions together.

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Stage 4 - Reunification

Reunification begins with an in-person parent-child session with the reintegration therapist present. Structured activities, conversation, or shared play give the child and parent opportunities to practice connection and communication. The therapist observes interactions, offers coaching, and helps both process their experiences. Session length and frequency reflect clinical needs and applicable court orders.

 

When appropriate, contact may expand to community-based activities followed by a processing session. Parents provide the requested outing plan, and the therapist may check in. Progress toward more independent contact depends on the child’s needs, the quality of interactions, and the parent’s ability to provide consistent, responsive care. Contact arrangements remain consistent with applicable court orders.

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Stage 5 - Ongoing family therapy

Family therapy continues as needed to help healthier patterns become part of everyday life. Sessions can address sharing needs and feelings, managing disagreements, repairing misunderstandings, and strengthening positive bonding. Families may also work on values, routines, boundaries, rules, and age-appropriate discipline.

 

The therapist helps the family review contact experiences, address concerns as they arise, and consider what ongoing support is needed. Sessions may occur weekly or at another frequency recommended by the therapist.

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Participation and timing

Sessions may be individual, parent-only, or family-based. Consistent attendance, completion of assigned activities, and appropriate coordination with other providers support progress. The therapist may slow the pace or revisit earlier work when more preparation is needed.

 

Phases often take approximately 3–6 weeks each, and the overall process may take 12–36 weeks or longer. These are estimates. Movement between stages depends on clinical progress, the child’s readiness and needs, and applicable court orders.

 

AAC explains consent, confidentiality, its limits, and any reporting arrangements at intake. The therapist’s role is treatment. Parenting-time decisions and custody evaluations are handled separately.

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Fees and Arvada location

Private pay is $200 per hour. Medicaid is accepted, with eligibility and covered services confirmed at intake. Payment arrangements are reviewed before services begin.

 

Reintegration therapy is offered at AAC’s Arvada office at 5310 Ward Road, Suite G-07, Arvada, CO 80002.

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Getting started

Families, attorneys, CFIs, PREs, and other referring professionals can contact AAC to discuss fit, current availability, and next steps. Have any relevant court order or parenting plan available, and ask how to submit records securely.

 

Call 720-996-1340 or email info@assessingalternatives.com.