Co-parenting is challenging even under the best circumstances, but when parents compete for a child’s loyalty, the emotional toll can have lasting consequences. In this episode of Children First Family Law, Dr. Matthew Sullivan, a psychologist with over three decades of experience in family court and dispute resolution, has dedicated his career to finding better ways to navigate these complex dynamics. As a pioneer in developing parenting coordination on an international scale and a past president of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Dr. Sullivan brings unparalleled expertise to the field. His work has earned him prestigious honors, including the AFCC President’s Award and the Meyer Elkin essay award for his groundbreaking contributions to family law.
Krista and Dr. Sullivan explore his journey as a clinical psychologist and his extensive work in family courts, shedding light on the complexities of high-conflict parenting cases. Dr. Sullivan shares his perspective on child custody evaluations, the challenges attorneys can introduce, and how the right combination of a therapeutic team and a skilled judge can transform outcomes. They also discuss the lasting effects of the “tender years” doctrine, its link to children resisting or refusing contact with a parent, and the role of Voice of the Child Reports in giving children a voice during complex family dynamics. As their conversation wraps up, they examine the potential impact of Kayden’s Law, strategies for building trust with parents who may view professionals as adversarial, and some of Dr. Sullivan’s most effective co-parenting solutions. With child well-being as the ultimate priority, Dr. Sullivan’s insights emphasize the importance of thoughtful, collaborative approaches to resolving family conflicts.
Krista and Dr. Sullivan explore the following more in-depth:
- Dr. Sullivan prioritizes children’s emotional well-being by bridging therapeutic practices with legal processes. His hands-on approach emphasizes practical solutions that work in the real world.
- The tender years doctrine favored mothers as primary caregivers for young children and has left a lasting mark on family court dynamics. Dr. Sullivan explains how its legacy can contribute to children resisting or refusing contact with one parent, particularly in high-conflict cases. Addressing this requires careful, nuanced interventions to rebuild parent-child relationships.
- Attorneys involved in custody evaluations can unintentionally escalate conflict by framing cases in adversarial terms. Dr. Sullivan notes that this approach often distracts from addressing the underlying family dynamics. Shifting the focus toward healing and resolution benefits both the parents and the child.
- Voice of the Child Reports are critical for giving children a say in high-conflict family law cases. Dr. Sullivan stresses the importance of ensuring these reports authentically reflect the child’s experience, free from undue influence by either parent. When used effectively, they empower children while guiding courts to make better-informed decisions.
Parents in the middle of a high-conflict split may not recognize the negative impacts on their children. The expertise of a professional like Dr. Matthew Sullivan can help reduce stress for all parties while creating winning solutions for everyone.
If you want to learn more about The Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/kaydens-law-domestic-violence-experiences-insights-with-dr-matthew-sullivan