Reunification & Conjoint Court-Ordered Therapy in Montebello & Newport Beach, CA
Helping families navigate court-ordered therapy with compassion, structure, and child-centered care.
For Families Navigating Estrangement, Court Orders, and Emotional Distance
Family estrangement, separation, and court-ordered therapy often come with a heavy emotional toll. Maybe you're navigating a legal mandate that feels forced. Maybe your child is resisting visits. Or maybe the breakdown in communication has gone on so long, you’re not sure how to begin again.
At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling, we specialize in reunification and conjoint court-ordered therapy in Montebello and the greater Los Angeles area. We work with families facing the painful effects of parental alienation, high-conflict co-parenting, estrangement, and legal separation—offering structured, compassionate support through the reunification process.
Whether a parent has been wrongfully cut off, or a child is struggling to navigate confusing loyalty binds, our approach prioritizes emotional safety, trauma-informed care, and child-centered healing. We create a neutral space where families can begin to understand, repair, and reconnect.
Reunification is rarely a straight path—but with clear structure, court-informed guidance, and deep compassion, it can become a healing one.
Why Families Go To Reunification or Conjoint Therapy
Reunification therapy isn’t something most families imagine needing—until everything falls apart. Whether the breakdown came slowly over years or erupted through a legal battle, the pain is deep, and the stakes are high.
We often hear from parents, children, or court-appointed professionals facing situations like these:
“My child refuses to see me, no matter how many times I reach out.”
Parental rejection can feel like grief in real time. Whether alienation is at play or not, we help address the emotional and developmental needs beneath the behavior.
“This is court-ordered—but we’re all still emotionally raw.”
You might be walking into therapy because a judge mandated it—not because you feel ready. We create a structured, trauma-informed space where healing can begin on its own timeline.
“We haven’t spoken in years. Where do we even start?”
Estrangement often brings silence, confusion, and fear. Therapy helps each party explore the rupture—gently, at a pace that builds trust rather than forces contact.
“My child is stuck between two parents and it’s tearing them apart.”
Children in high-conflict family dynamics often carry invisible emotional burdens. We support their well-being while helping parents find new ways to communicate without weaponizing the child.
If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone.
Reunification therapy in Montebello isn’t about blame—it’s about giving your family a safe, structured path toward clarity, healing, and maybe even connection.
What to Expect in Reunification or Conjoint Therapy
This type of therapy can feel intimidating—especially when it’s mandated by the court. At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling, we meet families where they are: confused, guarded, hurting, and unsure what’s next. That’s okay.
Our job isn’t to take sides or force connection.
It’s to create a neutral, structured space where healing has a chance to happen—gently, gradually, and with every family member’s emotional safety in mind.
Here’s what you can expect from reunification or conjoint therapy in Montebello:
A Clear, Court-Informed Process
We work closely with attorneys, court orders, and legal guidelines to ensure therapy meets compliance standards while staying emotionally attuned to the people involved.
A Neutral, Trauma-Informed Therapist
We don’t assign blame or push a narrative. Our therapists are trained to hold space for children and parents with empathy and clarity—supporting progress, not pressure.
Gradual, Structured Contact
Reconnection takes time. We often begin with separate sessions to build trust and readiness, then move into conjoint sessions when appropriate. The pace is set collaboratively, not rushed.
Child-Centered, Always
Children are never tools for repair—they are individuals with their own needs, fears, and voices. Every intervention we use keeps their emotional well-being front and center.
Practical Tools for Co-Parenting
Even when relationships can’t be fully restored, we help parents communicate more effectively, set boundaries, and reduce conflict for the child’s sake.
Reunification Therapy - ClientTestimony
Reunited After Years Apart – A Life-Changing Experience"
"For years, I felt like I was losing my child to forces beyond my control. The pain of alienation was unbearable, and every attempt to reconnect was met with resistance, fear, and heartbreak. I was hopeless—until I found The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling.
From the very first session, their team provided a safe, structured, and compassionate space where both my child and I could begin to heal. They didn’t just offer therapy; they gave us a roadmap to understanding, trust, and emotional reconnection. Through their reunification program, they helped my child feel safe enough to express their fears while guiding me on how to rebuild our bond with patience and empathy.
Week by week, I saw small but powerful changes. The walls that had once seemed unbreakable began to fall. My child’s body language softened, conversations became easier, and for the first time in years, we laughed together again. The therapists not only helped us reconnect but also equipped us with tools to navigate challenges in a healthier way moving forward.
Today, I no longer feel like a stranger to my own child. We have a genuine, loving relationship, something I feared might never be possible again. I am forever grateful to The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling for their expertise, their kindness, and their unwavering belief in the power of healing. They didn’t just help reunite us—they gave my family a second chance."
– A Grateful Parent
Who Reunification and Conjoint Therapy Is For
Reunification therapy isn’t just about meeting court requirements—it’s about helping families navigate some of the hardest relational ruptures they’ve experienced. We work with a wide range of families in Montebello and Los Angeles who are facing:
Parent/Child Estrangement due to conflict, separation, or long-standing emotional distance
Parental Alienation Allegations, whether confirmed or contested
Children Resisting Contact with a parent after divorce or high-conflict custody disputes
Family Reconnection Post-Trauma following abuse investigations or protective separation
Court-Ordered Conjoint Therapy between family members where communication has broken down
Rebuilding Relationships After Legal or DCFS Involvement
Our role is to help all parties—especially children—feel emotionally safe, heard, and supported while navigating this process.
Get Started With Court Ordered Therapy in Montebello, CA
Browse our team of trauma-informed therapists in Montebello and find the right fit for your journey.
Pick Your Therapist
Book a no-pressure call to talk about your needs, ask questions, and see if we’re the right match.
Schedule Your Free Consult
Begin Living Life On Your Terms
Start healing old wounds, building stronger relationships, and creating the life you deserve—with therapy designed around you.
Therapists in Montebello, & Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of maria jessica quiroz a couples therapist in la at the couples therapy and reunification counseling, therapist in montebello ca, therapy in la]()
Maria Jessica Quiroz, LMFT
Clinical Director Reunification and Couples Expert
Relationship Expert
Montebello and Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of sandylu guerrero a mental health coach in montebello ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Sandylu Guerrero
Co-Parenting & Reunification Coach
Montebello, CA
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![Michelle Cortez]()
Michelle Cortez, AMFT
Reunification & Couples Specialist
Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of angelique st jean an addiction counselor in newport beach ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Angelique St. Jean
Addiction Recovery, Trauma, and Family Systems Therapy
Newport Beach, CA
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![headshot of matzalen navarro a blended family therapist in montebello ca at the couples therapy and reunification counseling]()
Matzalen Navarro
Blended Family and Premarital Counseling
Montebello, CA
What Healing Can Look Like
You may not know if full reconciliation is possible. You may not even know if your child wants to talk to you again.
But what we do know is this:
Families change when there’s structure, safety, and support.
Even small shifts—like respectful communication or a child saying, “I’m not ready yet, but I feel less scared”—are profound signs of healing.
Through reunification therapy in Montebello, here’s what becomes possible:
From Emotional Shutdown → To Small Steps Toward Connection
Even if trust isn’t fully restored, you can rebuild enough safety for a child to speak, explore, or engage.
From Court-Ordered Obligation → To Clarity and Communication
What starts as a legal requirement often becomes an opportunity to reduce fear, speak honestly, and shift painful dynamics.
From Loyalty Binds → To Emotional Relief for the Child
Children can stop feeling like they’re stuck in the middle—and start focusing on being kids again.
From Long-Term Silence → To a Plan That Makes Contact Feel Possible
We build a roadmap that meets the family where they are—without pressure or unrealistic expectations.
Healing doesn’t always mean going back to how things were.
Sometimes it means building something new—with more honesty, structure, and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reunification and Court Ordered Therapy
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Reunification therapy is a specialized, child-focused intervention designed to rebuild the relationship between an estranged parent and child. This therapy helps address underlying emotional issues, facilitating communication and fostering a new, healthier relationship dynamic.
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Court-ordered reunification therapy is a structured, legally mandated form of family therapy designed to repair and rebuild the relationship between a parent and child when there has been estrangement, parental alienation, or significant conflict following divorce or separation. This therapy is typically ordered by a family court judge in cases where the parent-child bond has been disrupted due to high-conflict custody disputes, allegations of abuse (substantiated or unsubstantiated), or long periods of separation.
Key Aspects of Court-Ordered Reunification Therapy:
Mandated by the Court – A judge requires both the parent and child to participate in therapy sessions with a trained professional.
Focuses on the Child’s Best Interests – The goal is to repair trust, heal emotional wounds, and rebuild the parent-child relationship in a way that is emotionally safe for the child.
Facilitated by a Licensed Therapist – The therapy is conducted by a professional skilled in reunification therapy, family dynamics, and often high-conflict divorce cases.
Structured Process – Therapy sessions follow a gradual process, often beginning with individual sessions for the child and parent before moving into joint sessions.
Parental Cooperation Required – Both parents (including the custodial parent) are expected to support the process, as resistance or interference can negatively impact the therapy and, in some cases, lead to legal consequences.
Monitored Progress & Reporting – The therapist may be required to provide progress reports to the court, attorneys, or other appointed professionals.
Can Influence Custody Arrangements – The outcomes of reunification therapy may impact custody agreements, visitation rights, and future parenting plans.
Court-ordered reunification therapy is often used when a child has refused contact with a parent, whether due to justified concerns (such as past abuse or neglect) or unjustified alienation (such as one parent turning the child against the other). The therapist helps assess the root cause of the estrangement and provides interventions to work toward a healthier relationship.
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The process typically involves individual sessions to understand each family member's perspective, followed by joint sessions aimed at healing emotional wounds and improving communication. The ultimate goal is to create a strong, positive bond based on empathy, understanding, and trust, paving the way for long-term family harmony.
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We deeply value our clients and strive to ensure a seamless process. Our intake evaluation consists of two individual sessions—one for each parent—at $500. After the evaluation, sessions with the child/children will be $250 per session. Please note that additional time may be required depending on the number of children involved.
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Signs of Estrangement: Persistent anger, fear, or reluctance from the child to engage with the estranged parent.
Failed Reconciliation Attempts: When independent efforts to repair the relationship have not been successful.
Court-Ordered Reunification: Therapy becomes essential when mandated by the court to ensure the child's well-being.
Communication Breakdown: Ongoing issues in communication between a parent and child that require structured therapeutic support.
When these signs are present, reunification therapy provides the structured support needed to address communication breakdowns and restore trust. Seeking therapy at the right time can be a crucial step toward reestablishing a healthy and loving relationship within the family.
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This process is designed to address the emotional needs of each family member while focusing on the child’s well-being and the development of healthy communication.
Initial Assessment: Individual sessions to understand each family member’s perspective and emotional state.
Child-Focused Approach: Prioritizing the well-being of the child throughout the process.
Joint Sessions: Gradual introduction of joint sessions to address past hurts and improve communication.
Effective Communication Skills: Development of effective communication strategies to foster a new, healthy relationship dynamic.
Healing and Rebuilding: Aiming to restore trust and create a supportive, unified family environment.
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Parental alienation occurs when a child is influenced to reject or resist a relationship with one parent, often due to the actions or behaviors of the other parent. This can happen in high-conflict custody cases and can create deep emotional distress for both the child and the rejected parent. Reunification therapy helps address the impact of alienation, rebuild trust, and restore healthy parent-child relationships in a structured and supportive way.
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Yes, we do. Most of the cases we handle involve set court orders, and we have extensive experience writing reports and making recommendations. We work closely with minor’s counsel and lawyers on a daily basis to ensure a structured and effective reunification process that prioritizes the child’s well-being.
Our Mission: Supporting Healing, Not Just Compliance
We’re here to help families do more than reconnect—we help them rebuild with intention.
At The Couples Therapy and Reunification Counseling in Montebello, we’re committed to breaking cycles of alienation, silence, and emotional pain. Our mission is to support families in learning how to communicate, understand one another, and heal in a way that lasts—not just for the courts, but for the child.
Reunification isn’t about “fixing” a relationship overnight. It’s about creating safe, guided opportunities for trust to grow again. Whether you’re beginning from a place of resistance, grief, or long-standing conflict, we walk with you every step of the way—with structure, compassion, and expertise.
Visit Our Mental Health Clinic
Office Address: 3524 W Beverly Blvd Montebello, CA 90640 (Los Angeles)
1001 Dove Street, Suite 270, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (NewPort Beach)
Hours
Monday 9am–6pm Tuesday 9am–6pm Thursday 9am–6pm Friday 9am–6pm Saturday: 8am - 4pm
Phone
(562)-774-6787
🚨 Important Notice: Emergency Situations 🚨
If you are experiencing a crisis, feeling unsafe, or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
For mental health emergencies, you can also contact:
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988 (Available 24/7)
📞 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
📞 Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741
Our practice does not provide emergency services. If you need immediate help, please seek emergency support.
Read What Our Therapists in Montebello Are Talking About
