Separation & Co-Parenting Counselling
Separation & Co-Parenting CounsellingSeparation, Divorce & Co-Parenting Counselling in Milton
Support for adults and children through separation, in Milton and online.
Separation and divorce can upend almost every part of life at once: home, finances, routines, friendships, and above all, children. Even when ending a relationship is the right decision, the process can be painful, and in high-conflict situations it can feel relentless.
Our therapists support adults and children through separation, divorce and co-parenting in Milton and online. The focus is on protecting your wellbeing, reducing the harm conflict causes, and keeping children at the centre.
How we can help
- Individual support through the emotional impact of separation or divorce
- Coping with high-conflict ex-partners, including manipulation or controlling behaviour
- Setting boundaries and communicating in a way that lowers conflict
- Co-parenting plans, transitions between homes and consistent routines
- Supporting children and teens through family changes
- Rebuilding identity, confidence and support networks after a relationship ends
- Estrangement and complex family relationships
Our approach
Our founder, Garion Sparks-Austin, Registered Social Worker, has a particular focus on high-conflict separation and divorce, coercive control and estrangement. Sessions offer grounding, clear strategy and emotional support, so you can make decisions from a steadier place.
For children, our child and family therapists use play-based and age-appropriate approaches to help them understand and express what they're going through, and give parents practical guidance on what to say and how to respond.
Our therapists don't provide legal advice or custody assessments, and we're not a substitute for a lawyer or mediator. We focus on the emotional and relational side of separation, and can work alongside your other professionals.
Taking care of yourself through separation
Separation often comes with grief, even when it was your choice. You may be grieving the relationship, the future you planned, or the version of family life your children knew. At the same time, there are practical decisions to make, sometimes under pressure. Therapy gives you a place to slow down, sort through what you're feeling, and plan your next steps with a clearer head.
If you are dealing with a high-conflict ex-partner, sessions can help you recognise patterns such as manipulation, blame-shifting or attempts to control, and respond in ways that protect your energy. Many clients find it helpful to learn brief, factual communication styles and to set boundaries around how and when they respond.
Children need to know that both parents love them and that the separation isn't their fault. They benefit from hearing the same simple explanation from both parents where possible, from not being asked to carry messages, and from routines that stay predictable across homes.
In person in Milton or online
Sessions are available at our office at 243 Main St E in Milton, or virtually anywhere in Ontario. Virtual sessions can be especially helpful when parents live in different communities.
Our Team
Therapists Who Offer This Support
Read a therapist's profile to learn about their approach, or book a free consultation and we'll help you find the right fit.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we do co-parenting counselling together?
Sometimes. Joint co-parenting sessions can help some parents agree on routines and communication. In high-conflict situations, or where there has been abuse or coercive control, separate sessions are usually safer and more effective.
Do you provide custody assessments or court reports?
No. Our therapists provide counselling and support, not custody or parenting assessments, and we don't give legal advice. We can work alongside your lawyer, mediator or other professionals.
How can I help my child through our separation?
Children cope better with predictable routines, honest age-appropriate explanations, and being kept out of adult conflict. Our child and family therapists can see your child and give you practical guidance at home.
Is this covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans cover sessions with Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers, including for dependent children. We provide receipts after each session.
Can therapy help if my ex-partner won't cooperate?
Yes. You can't control how a high-conflict ex-partner behaves, but you can change how you respond. Individual sessions can help you set boundaries, communicate in a brief and neutral way, protect your children from conflict as much as possible, and look after your own wellbeing.
Do you support children and teens through divorce?
Yes. Our child and family therapists see children from age 5 and teens, using play-based and age-appropriate approaches. Sessions give children a neutral space to talk about the changes in their family, with guidance for parents on how to support them at home.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Book online or start with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. Sessions are available at 243 Main St E in Milton and virtually anywhere in Ontario.