Why I Chose This Work

People often ask me why I chose to work with families in high conflict — families where emotions run deep, communication breaks down, and children are caught in the middle. The truth is, I didn’t just choose this work; in many ways, it chose me.

I grew up as a child of high-conflict divorce. I know firsthand the confusion, sadness, and divided loyalty that can come when the adults around you are struggling to find common ground. Those early experiences shaped how I see relationships, conflict, and the incredible resilience of children. They also planted the seed for what would later become my calling: helping families find a healthier way forward.

Today, I work with families who are navigating similar challenges — separation, coparenting disputes, and strained communication. The work can be complex and emotional, but it’s deeply meaningful. I’ve seen how even small shifts — a moment of empathy, a pause before reacting, a shared focus on a child’s well-being — can begin to change the entire tone of a family’s story.

I’m also a coparent myself. My daughter’s dad and I have had to learn, sometimes the hard way, how to prioritize her needs above our differences. It’s not always easy. But through the process, I’ve learned that healthy coparenting isn’t about being perfect or always agreeing — it’s about staying committed to your child’s sense of security and belonging, no matter what challenges come up between the adults.

That’s what drives me every day in my work: the belief that families can learn to communicate with care, that children can feel safe even in complicated circumstances, and that healing is possible, one conversation at a time.

Courtney is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist at the Family Guidance Center.