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Family Court-Related Therapeutic Work
Parent–Child Relationship Restoration & Reconnection
Therapeutic support for complex parent–child relationships following Family Court proceedings
1. What I Do
Dr André Swanepoel provides therapeutic support to children, parents and families where Family Court proceedings have identified a need to restore, develop or strengthen a parent–child relationship.
This work may be appropriate where there has been significant disruption, breakdown or difficulty in the relationship between a child and one of their parents, and where therapeutic intervention may assist the family in moving towards a safer, healthier and more sustainable relationship.
Referrals may arise during or following Family Court proceedings and may be made by solicitors, barristers, other professionals, parents, or by agreement between the parties, subject to the suitability and scope of the proposed therapeutic work.
The work is carefully structured, clinically led and responsive to the circumstances of each family.
It is not a standard contact arrangement, and it is not undertaken on the assumption that therapeutic involvement will produce a predetermined outcome.
Dr André’s role is to provide therapeutic support for the development, restoration or strengthening of relationships.
The therapeutic role is to help families move from the formal arrangements established through the Court towards healthier, safer and more sustainable lived relationships.
Where appropriate, therapeutic work may include:
* Individual therapeutic sessions with a parent
* Individual sessions with a child or young person
* Parent–child therapeutic sessions
* Family sessions
* Preparation for the restoration or development of contact
* Support with communication and relational difficulties
* Helping family members understand the impact of conflict and relationship breakdown
* Supporting the gradual development of safer and more sustainable parent–child relationships
* Supporting parents to reflect on how their own emotional responses may affect the child
* Helping family members develop more manageable ways of communicating
* Identifying relational patterns that may be maintaining distance, fear, conflict or mistrust
* Supporting parents to tolerate uncertainty, disappointment and gradual progress
* Helping adults maintain an appropriately child-focused approach
The aim is not simply to facilitate contact.
The aim is to support the development of a relationship that can become meaningful, emotionally sustainable and increasingly secure for the child and parent.
2. Who I Work With
Dr André works with children, parents and families where a parent–child relationship has become disrupted, strained or difficult to sustain.
This may include families where:
* There has been prolonged parental separation or conflict
* Contact between a parent and child has broken down or become significantly reduced
* Contact has recently resumed following Family Court proceedings
* Overnight contact has been introduced or increased
* A child is experiencing uncertainty, anxiety, ambivalence or emotional difficulty around contact
* A parent–child relationship requires support following a prolonged period of separation
* Family members are struggling with communication and relational difficulties
* The family has experienced significant conflict during or following Family Court proceedings
* Parents require support to respond more effectively to their child’s emotional experience
* Therapeutic preparation is required before direct parent–child work can begin
Each family situation is different.
The nature, frequency and structure of therapeutic work will therefore be considered following an initial review of the referral and available information.
Not every case involving disrupted parent–child contact will be suitable for therapeutic relationship restoration work.
3. My Therapeutic Approach
Dr André’s work is grounded in Systemic Couple and Family Psychotherapy, alongside his wider therapeutic training and experience.
His systemic approach recognises that difficulties experienced by an individual or family do not exist in isolation.
Relationships, communication, family history, significant life experiences and the wider context in which a family lives can all influence how difficulties develop and are maintained.
The therapeutic question is:
Given the history and current circumstances of the family, what conditions and relational processes may support the child and parent in developing, restoring or strengthening a safe and sustainable relationship?
The work is not based on determining which parent is right or wrong.
Instead, the focus is on understanding relationships, communication, family dynamics and the experiences of those involved.
A clinically led and structured approach
Before direct parent–child work begins, Dr André may need to:
* Clarify the purpose and intended outcome of the referral
* Identify the participants and their respective roles
* Review relevant Court orders and professional information
* Consider whether the proposed therapeutic work is clinically appropriate
* Identify practical, emotional and relational barriers to engagement
* Establish arrangements for communication, attendance and confidentiality
* Agree how progress will be reviewed
* Consider whether the work should proceed gradually, be paused or be adapted
Relevant Court orders and professional reports may be reviewed where necessary to understand the context and parameters of the proposed therapeutic work.
Such review does not constitute an independent assessment of the findings, evidence or disputed allegations contained within those documents.
Direct parent–child work may not always be the appropriate first intervention.
In some circumstances, individual therapeutic work, parental preparation, or work focused on emotional regulation and communication may be necessary before parent–child sessions can be considered safely and constructively.
Relationship restoration and therapeutic reunification
Parent–child reunification is a complex therapeutic process and should not be understood simply as arranging contact between a parent and child.
Where therapeutic reunification work is considered appropriate, the focus is on understanding the history of the relationship and the current circumstances of the family while working carefully towards conditions that may support meaningful and sustainable relational development.
The work may involve a staged process:
1. Initial referral review and information gathering
2. Individual meetings with relevant adults
3. Consideration of the child’s needs, wishes and emotional presentation
4. Therapeutic preparation for parent–child work
5. Carefully planned parent–child sessions, where appropriate
6. Review of the therapeutic process and emerging difficulties
7. Consideration of whether the work should continue, change, pause or conclude
This sequence is not automatic and may be adapted according to the needs of the family, relevant Court orders and the agreed therapeutic framework.
Therapeutic work cannot guarantee a particular outcome, including the restoration of a relationship or the achievement of a particular level of contact.
Therapy may support the possibility of relational change, but it cannot compel a child or parent to feel, respond or participate in a particular way.
A child-centred but not child-responsible approach
The child’s emotional experience, developmental needs and welfare are central considerations within the therapeutic work.
However, children should not be placed in the position of being responsible for deciding whether a relationship is restored, whether contact takes place or whether therapeutic work succeeds.
Dr André aims to create space for the child’s experience to be understood without requiring the child to take sides, justify adult decisions or carry responsibility for the outcome.
A child’s expressed wishes and feelings will be taken seriously.
However, therapeutic work will not place the child in the role of decision-maker, messenger or witness for either parent.
Supporting parents to participate effectively
Therapeutic relationship restoration often requires more than a parent’s willingness to attend sessions.
Parents may need support to:
* Understand the child’s emotional position
* Manage their own distress, anger or disappointment
* Avoid placing pressure on the child
* Respond to the child’s uncertainty or ambivalence
* Recognise the difference between adult intentions and a child’s experience
* Communicate in ways that are less likely to escalate conflict
* Remain focused on the child rather than the wider litigation
* Tolerate a gradual or uncertain process
* Reflect on how their behaviour may be experienced by the child
* Support the child’s relationship with the other parent without requiring the child to resolve adult disputes
This does not mean that therapeutic work assumes blame or accepts one party’s account of disputed events.
It reflects the practical reality that sustainable parent–child relationships require adults to be able to respond sensitively to the child’s emotional needs.
4. What I Don’T Do
Therapeutic rather than forensic
Dr André’s role in Family Court-related work is therapeutic rather than forensic.
He does not currently undertake independent assessments of:
* Parenting capacity
* Risk
* Safeguarding
* Allegations made by either party
* Alienating behaviour or parental alienation as a forensic determination
* The merits of either parent’s case
Dr André holds a first degree in Social Work from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
He subsequently trained and specialised professionally in the United Kingdom for many years before moving into family systemic psychotherapy.
He has substantial previous professional experience as a social worker but is not currently registered as a social worker and does not practise in that capacity.
His social-work education and experience, together with his professional training and specialisation in the UK, inform his understanding of family systems, child welfare and the wider social context of family difficulties.
However, this background does not mean that he is acting as a social-work assessor, safeguarding investigator or forensic expert in this work.
He does not act as an independent social-work assessor and does not provide forensic opinions for the purpose of determining disputed facts or recommending which parent’s case should be preferred by the Court.
Important professional boundary
This service is not a substitute for a Court-directed assessment or other statutory or forensic intervention.
Where the Court or legal representatives require an independent assessment of parenting capacity, risk, safeguarding or disputed allegations, an appropriately instructed professional should undertake that work separately.
Therapeutic observations arising within sessions should not be confused with a formal assessment of disputed allegations, risk or parenting capacity.
Observations may inform the clinical management of the work, but they are not intended to determine disputed facts or provide an evidential opinion for the Court.
The therapeutic work is ordinarily distinct from expert assessment and expert witness work.
If a request is subsequently made for expert evidence, a formal report, or other material intended to be used as evidence in proceedings, this would require separate consideration and would not automatically form part of the therapeutic role.
5. Referral Process
An initial enquiry does not automatically mean that therapeutic relationship restoration work is suitable or can be undertaken.
Before commencing work, Dr André will need sufficient information to understand the nature of the referral and determine whether the proposed therapeutic role is appropriate.
Initial referral review
The initial review may consider:
* The family circumstances
* The current stage of any Family Court proceedings
* The therapeutic outcome being sought
* Relevant Court orders
* Existing professional reports or assessments
* The proposed participants
* Professionals currently involved
* Any safeguarding or risk concerns
* The proposed funding arrangements
* Upcoming hearings or procedural deadlines
* Any expectations regarding reports, summaries or Court attendance
Relevant Court orders, reports or other documentation may be reviewed where necessary to establish whether the proposed therapeutic work is appropriate and to agree its scope.
Any substantial document-review work will be discussed and agreed in advance.
Suitability
A referral may require further consideration where there are:
* Current safeguarding concerns
* Significant untreated mental-health difficulties
* Active substance misuse
* Serious concerns about coercive or controlling behaviour
* A high level of intimidation or fear
* A child who is unable or unwilling to participate
* A lack of informed consent
* A request for forensic assessment presented as therapeutic work
* Expectations of a guaranteed outcome
* Pressure for immediate contact without adequate preparation
* Multiple professionals working without a clear division of roles
* Court directions that are inconsistent with the proposed therapeutic framework
These factors do not necessarily mean therapeutic work cannot proceed.
They may indicate that further assessment, additional safeguards, a different professional intervention or a more carefully staged approach is required.
The decision to accept or decline a referral will be based on clinical suitability, professional competence, available information and the ability to establish a safe and workable therapeutic framework.
Suitability may need to be reconsidered if circumstances change, if a participant is unable to engage meaningfully, if new safeguarding information emerges or if the therapeutic work begins to create rather than reduce relational distress.
Starting therapeutic work
In some circumstances, a preliminary individual meeting may be appropriate before parent–child or family work begins.
The decision about the structure of the therapeutic work will depend upon the circumstances of the family and the agreed scope of the referral.
An initial enquiry, preliminary discussion or document review does not create a therapeutic relationship or confirm that Dr André has accepted the referral.
6. Fees
Family Court-related therapeutic work is specialist clinical work and is charged separately from Dr André’s standard private psychotherapy fees.
Individual therapeutic session
£125 for 50 minutes
Parent–child or family therapeutic session
£150 for 60 minutes
Extended parent–child therapeutic session
£225 for 90 minutes
Professional review of Court orders, reports and relevant documentation
£150 per hour
Document-review work will be agreed in advance where appropriate, including the anticipated scope of the review.
Additional professional work outside agreed therapeutic sessions will be discussed and agreed before that work is undertaken.
This may include:
* Professional liaison
* Case-planning meetings
* Multi-agency meetings
* Preparation of a therapeutic summary
* Preparation for or attendance at a professional meeting
* Additional document review
* Preparation for or attendance at Court
* Written responses to questions outside the agreed therapeutic framework
No additional professional work will normally be undertaken without prior agreement regarding its purpose, scope and fee.
Where a hearing, meeting or other professional commitment is cancelled or rearranged at short notice, any applicable cancellation or reserved-time fee will be discussed as part of the referral and agreed in advance where possible.
7. For Solicitors & Professionals
Dr André welcomes enquiries from solicitors, barristers and other professionals regarding therapeutic referrals arising from Family Court proceedings.
He recognises that legal professionals need clarity about the proposed role, scope, communication arrangements, fees and professional boundaries before recommending a referral to a client.
What solicitors can expect
Solicitors referring a family may expect:
* Clear confirmation of the proposed therapeutic role
* Transparent information about fees and additional work
* Careful consideration of suitability before work begins
* A structured and clinically reasoned approach
* Clear boundaries between therapeutic and forensic functions
* Agreed arrangements for communication
* Appropriate attention to safeguarding and confidentiality
* Review of the therapeutic framework where circumstances change
* Professional communication that remains neutral and child-focused
* No assumption that therapeutic work will produce a predetermined forensic or legal outcome
Solicitors should also expect that Dr André may decline or defer a referral where the proposed work is outside his therapeutic role, where the available information is insufficient, where the framework cannot be made clinically safe, or where another professional intervention is more appropriate.
Managing parallel professional involvement
Family Court cases often involve several professionals, including:
* Solicitors
* Barristers
* Cafcass
* Social workers
* Independent assessors
* Psychologists
* Psychiatrists
* Schools
* Other therapists
Where appropriate, Dr André will seek clarity about the roles of professionals already involved so that therapeutic work does not duplicate, undermine or become confused with another intervention.
It may be helpful to establish:
* Who holds responsibility for safeguarding
* Who is undertaking any formal assessment
* Who is responsible for contact supervision or practical arrangements
* Who is providing individual therapy to a parent or child
* Who is communicating with the Court
* What information can appropriately be shared between professionals
* Whether there are any conflicts between therapeutic and forensic roles
Dr André’s involvement does not replace the responsibilities of other professionals or agencies.
Therapeutic work should not be used to bypass safeguarding processes, formal assessments, Court directions or the responsibilities of other agencies.
Communication with solicitors and other professionals
Where solicitors or other professionals are involved, arrangements for communication will be agreed at the beginning of the therapeutic work.
Dr André’s role is therapeutic.
He does not act as an information-gathering agent or advocate for either party’s legal team.
Unless otherwise agreed as part of the therapeutic contract, or required by law or Court order, communication with solicitors will normally be limited to matters necessary for the administration and appropriate coordination of the therapeutic work.
Any request for an opinion, report, therapeutic summary, disclosure of records, professional meeting or attendance at Court that falls outside the agreed therapeutic role will need to be considered separately.
Reports, feedback and expert evidence
Therapeutic work should not be entered into on the assumption that the therapist will subsequently provide an independent forensic opinion or expert evidence outside the agreed therapeutic role.
If a solicitor, barrister, Court or other professional subsequently requests:
* A report
* A therapeutic summary
* An opinion
* Disclosure of clinical records
* Attendance at a professional meeting
* Attendance at Court
* Expert evidence
the request will be considered separately in light of the therapeutic role, professional responsibilities and applicable legal requirements.
A therapeutic summary, where agreed, is not an independent expert report and should not be treated as a substitute for a formal forensic assessment.
Confidentiality, Records And Legal Disclosure
Therapeutic work is undertaken within the usual professional and legal framework of confidentiality.
Dr André will respect and protect information shared within therapy and will only disclose confidential information where there is appropriate consent, a lawful basis for disclosure, a professional or safeguarding obligation, or where disclosure is required or authorised by law or by a Court.
Confidentiality in Family Court-related work
Because this work takes place in the context of Family Court proceedings, the limits of confidentiality will be discussed clearly at the outset.
The therapeutic relationship should not be understood as creating an absolute guarantee that information discussed in therapy, correspondence or clinical records can never be disclosed.
Dr André cannot guarantee that therapeutic communications, correspondence or clinical records will be legally privileged or protected from disclosure in Family Court proceedings.
Whether particular material is legally privileged, confidential, disclosable or subject to a Court order is ultimately a matter of law.
Where necessary, parties or their legal representatives should obtain appropriate legal advice regarding privilege and disclosure.
Dr André will not routinely provide therapeutic records to either party simply because they have been requested.
Any request for access to, or disclosure of, clinical records will be considered in accordance with applicable professional, data-protection and legal requirements.
Where a request for records or information is received from a solicitor, another professional or the Court, Dr André may seek appropriate legal or professional advice before responding.
Therapeutic records
Clinical records are maintained for the purposes of providing safe and effective therapeutic care and meeting relevant professional and legal requirements.
They are not created for the purpose of providing evidence for one party’s case.
Where therapeutic work involves more than one person, such as a parent and child or members of a family, clinical records may contain information relating to several individuals.
This will be taken into account when considering any request for access or disclosure.
Where appropriate, a therapeutic summary may be considered instead of disclosure of the underlying clinical records.
The purpose and content of any such summary will be determined within the appropriate professional and legal framework.
Safeguarding and serious risk
Confidentiality has important limits where information raises concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or another person, or where disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.
Where possible and appropriate, Dr André will discuss significant disclosures with the relevant person before information is shared.
However, this may not always be possible or appropriate, particularly where doing so could increase risk or conflict with a legal or safeguarding obligation.
The limits of confidentiality will be explained to all participants before therapeutic work begins.
No assumption of privilege
The instruction or referral of Dr André for therapeutic work should not be made on the assumption that communications with him, his clinical records or any therapeutic summary will be legally privileged.
The therapist’s role remains therapeutic rather than forensic.
Any question concerning legal privilege, disclosure or evidential use of therapeutic material should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
8. Contact
Discuss a Family Court-Related Therapeutic Referral
Solicitors, barristers, professionals and parents who wish to discuss a potential therapeutic referral are welcome to contact André’s Therapy Hub through the practice administration team.
Please provide, where appropriate:
* A brief outline of the family circumstances
* The current stage of any Family Court proceedings
* The therapeutic outcome being sought
* Any relevant Court order
* Details of the professionals currently involved
* The proposed participants in the therapeutic work
* Whether the referral has been discussed and agreed with the relevant parties
* Any relevant reports or assessments
* Details of upcoming hearings or procedural deadlines
* Any known safeguarding, risk or participation concerns
* The proposed funding arrangements
* Whether any party is seeking a report, summary or Court attendance
A referral checklist can be provided to assist solicitors in gathering the information required for an initial suitability review.
All enquiries will be considered carefully to ensure that the proposed work falls within the appropriate therapeutic scope.
About Dr André Swanepoel
Dr André Swanepoel is a UKCP-registered Systemic Couple and Family Psychotherapist.
He holds a first degree in Social Work from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and subsequently trained and specialised professionally in the United Kingdom for many years before moving into family systemic psychotherapy.
He has substantial previous professional experience as a social worker but is not currently registered as a social worker and does not practise in that capacity.
His social-work education and experience, together with his professional training and specialisation in the United Kingdom, inform his systemic understanding of family relationships, child welfare and the wider social context of family difficulties.
His therapeutic approach recognises that difficulties experienced by an individual or family do not exist in isolation. Relationships, communication, family history, significant life experiences and the wider context in which a family lives can all influence how difficulties develop and are maintained.
This systemic and relational perspective is particularly relevant when working with complex family relationships and situations in which a parent–child relationship has become disrupted or strained.
The aim of the therapeutic work is to support greater understanding and, where appropriate, help family members develop healthier, safer and more sustainable ways of relating to one another.