Dr Jonathan Toussaint

Dr Jonathan Toussaint is an experienced family therapist specialising in gender issues and family relationships. He has worked extensively in the human services and community sectors for over 20 years and has developed leading edge practices that strengthen the family and community. Jonathan holds degrees in Theology and Psychology and has a keen interest in applying strength-based approaches to individual and community work. Jonathan is an Executive Manager at Interrelate Family Centres where he has the overall responsibility for the establishment and clinical management of the company's Family Relationship Centres across New South Wales. Jonathan is also a university lecturer in the field of health psychology.

Building Parental Alliance - the power of child focus

This presentation introduces participants to child focused interventions which can be used at every point in the helping process. True child focused practice involves subtle yet powerful ways of developing a philosophy and culture that ensures an integrated child focus approach is maintained at all levels of the mediation process.

The presentation will also include findings from the evaluation of Interrelate's 'Building Connections' program - an effective parenting education seminar designed to support separated parents learn positive, healthy ways of parenting after separation. In particular, it aims to encourage parents gain awareness on the importance of giving up high-level, entrenched conflict and supporting children in having a relationship with both parents, for the benefit of their children. Latest research on the impact of conflict on children shaped this project and its evaluation.

The presentation will assist people wanting to work with separated parents by learning some useful tips, hints and ideas which can be used as effective intervention tools. Attending this session, participants will see how they can increase parental alliance by engaging parents in making a strengths based shift in their relationship to themselves, their children, and the other parent by using effective child focused methodology.