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Email Us NowAmanda Hill, a California family law attorney, explained that conjoint therapy is a specialized type of counseling where a parent and child attend therapy together. Courts typically order this when a child has a strained relationship with one parent, often during divorce or paternity disputes.
The process usually begins with the therapist meeting the child individually to understand the underlying issues, followed by sessions with the parent. In some cases, the therapist also consults the custodial parent and reviews court orders to get context on the family’s history.
While conjoint therapy can be transformative in repairing fractured parent-child relationships, Amanda cautioned that it is often expensive and not covered by insurance. Courts may split costs equally or allocate responsibility depending on which parent requested therapy.
Compared to individual therapy, which focuses solely on one person, conjoint therapy directly addresses the strained parent-child dynamic and has become more common in California custody cases.
According to Amanda, conjoint therapy is usually requested by a parent through a court motion. If the other parent refuses, the judge can order participation and determine how costs are divided.
In cases where one parent accuses the other of alienating the child or influencing their behavior, courts may order conjoint therapy to investigate the situation further. Judges sometimes order one parent to pay the full cost, subject to reallocation if evidence later supports the other parent’s claims.
Amanda noted that conjoint therapy is most often used when teenagers refuse to see a parent. Examples include a child upset over a parent’s infidelity, allegations of parental alienation, or situations where a parent has been absent due to incarceration, rehabilitation, or other issues.
Judges will not immediately grant full visitation in these scenarios. Instead, they often require conjoint therapy to gradually rebuild trust and stability for the child.
If a parent fails to comply with a court order for conjoint therapy, the other parent can bring the issue back to court. Amanda emphasized that judges do not respond well when their orders are ignored. Sanctions, including fines and attorney’s fees, are common consequences.
She shared an example where repeated noncompliance led a judge to sanction a parent after multiple failed attempts to enforce conjoint therapy.
Amanda explained that the parent responsible for payment typically researches therapists, submits three qualified options, and allows the other parent to choose. Conjoint therapy requires specialized expertise, so not all therapists are qualified.
If parents cannot agree, judges may intervene and issue a specific order. Amanda recommended requesting court orders with clear deadlines and fallback provisions to avoid disputes over therapist selection.
Because of HIPAA protections, therapists usually provide only general progress reports rather than detailed session notes. Judges often set follow-up hearings, such as six-month reviews, to evaluate whether therapy is working.
Amanda emphasized that repairing strained relationships is the primary purpose of conjoint therapy. She estimated that in 60–70% of cases, courts order it for this reason. While success depends on the situation, Amanda has seen cases where therapy gradually rebuilt parent-child relationships and led to restored visitation.
Amanda explained that conjoint therapy requires patience, often lasting a year or longer. If therapy fails, therapists may recommend pausing conjoint sessions in favor of individual counseling before trying again later.
She cautioned against parents giving up too early, noting that children who reach adulthood without reconciliation may feel abandoned. Courts lose jurisdiction once a child turns 18, making early intervention essential.
Amanda urged parents to remain patient and cooperative during conjoint therapy. She recommended keeping records, complying with court orders, and maintaining open communication with the therapist.
Above all, Amanda stressed that successful outcomes require genuine effort and commitment from parents seeking to rebuild their relationships with their children.