Family & Reunification
Family Reunification & Reintegration Therapy
When contact with your child has broken down, or a parent is returning to a child’s life after time apart, it can be hard to know where to begin. Reunification and reintegration therapy offers a structured, paced way to rebuild the relationship, with the child’s wellbeing at the centre.
In person in Burlington for clients from Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Hamilton, and online across Ontario.
What is family reunification therapy?
Family reunification therapy is a structured form of therapy for a parent and child whose relationship has broken down. It is not a custody assessment, and it does not decide who is right. It is a paced process that takes the child’s experience seriously while creating a supported path back to contact.
Reintegration therapy is closely related. It supports a parent returning to a child’s life after time apart, for example after a separation, a move, incarceration, or a period of limited contact.
Who it can help
A parent whose child is refusing contact or has pulled away
A child or teen who feels caught between parents after separation
Families in high-conflict separation where contact has become strained
A parent returning to a child’s life after time apart
Families where a court, lawyer or mediator has suggested reunification work
Adult children and their parents who want to repair a relationship after years of distance or conflict
You do not need a court order to begin. Families can also come on their own.
Reunification for adult children and parents
Estrangement does not only happen in childhood. Some adults stop speaking with a parent after years of conflict, a divorce, a hurtful event, or feeling unheard. Some parents are left unsure why contact ended or how to reach out without making things worse.
Reunification work with adults is voluntary and paced. It often starts with separate sessions so each person can be heard, and joint sessions happen only if both people want them. The goal is not to force closeness or decide who was wrong, but to understand what happened and whether a different kind of relationship is possible. Sometimes that means reconnecting, and sometimes it means finding a healthier distance.
What the process usually looks like
Every family is different, so the plan is built around yours. Most work follows these stages:
- Free consultationA 15-minute call to talk about what has happened and whether this work is a fit.
- Getting to know each personSeparate sessions with each parent and the child, to understand each person’s experience and any safety concerns.
- Preparing for contactBuilding skills and readiness before parent and child meet, at a pace the child can manage.
- Joint sessionsSupported time together, starting small and growing as trust returns.
- Carrying it forwardPlanning how contact continues outside sessions, and checking in as the relationship settles.
Progress is not always a straight line. Setbacks can happen, and they do not mean the work has failed.
Pricing
Session rates are based on 50-minute appointments, in person at our Burlington office or online by secure video or phone anywhere in Ontario. Appointments are available days, evenings and weekends. Extended sessions are available on request.
Insurance and OHIP Coverage
Many extended health plans cover sessions with a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist. Please confirm with your insurance provider before your first session. OHIP does not cover these services, but fees may be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax return.
Letters and reports
Detailed letters and reports for lawyers or the court are available for a separate fee. The fee and what the report covers are agreed in writing before therapy begins.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a court order to start?
No. Many families begin on their own. If a court order or agreement is already in place, we work within it.
Will you decide custody or tell the court who is right?
No. Reunification therapy is not a custody assessment. The therapist does not take sides; the focus is on rebuilding the relationship safely.
Can you provide a letter or report for court?
Yes. Detailed letters and reports are available for a separate fee, which is agreed in writing before therapy begins. Ask about this during your free consultation.
What if my child does not want to come?
That is common. Early sessions often start separately, at a pace the child can manage, before any joint time is planned.
How long does it take?
It depends on the family, how long contact has been broken, and what each person needs. Your therapist will talk about a plan after the first few sessions and review it as you go.
What if there are safety concerns?
Safety comes first. If there are concerns about abuse or risk, the therapist will talk with you about whether reunification work is appropriate, and what other support may be needed.
Are sessions in person or online?
Both. Sessions can be in person at our Burlington office, or online by secure video or phone anywhere in Ontario.
Related reading
Take the first step
You do not need to have the right words or a complete plan. A free 15-minute consultation is a chance to describe what has happened and ask whether reunification therapy fits your family.
Safety disclaimer
This page provides general information only. It is not a diagnosis, an assessment, or a substitute for individual care. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8, available 24/7 across Canada. Booking requests and messages to our office are not emergency services. You do not need to manage an emergency on your own.