Creekside Divorce Support

Parenting Coordination

When parents of separation and divorce cannot effectively communicate about parenting matters and there is high conflict, the children are often adversely affected in their social, academic and mental health functioning.  Parenting Coordination helps through coaching/advising, mediation and decision making when the parents cannot come to agreement.  One goal is to form a healthy co-parenting relationship that is in the children's best interest.

Mediation

Practice Note 7

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party helps people in conflict communicate openly, explore options, and work toward a mutually acceptable agreement. It is cooperative rather than adversarial, empowering participants to make their own decisions. Mediation does not involve the mediator making judgments, offering legal advice, or imposing solutions. It is not a substitute for legal representation or a court proceeding, and participation is not binding unless both parties agree to a settlement in writing.

Arbitration﻿
Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process where an impartial arbitrator makes binding decisions on issues agreed upon by the parties. It is not a court proceeding, and it is typically less formal and more flexible than litigation. The process is governed by the Arbitration Act of Alberta, which sets out the rules and standards for how Arbitration is conducted. Arbitration is not mediation or negotiation; while it provides a structured framework for resolving disputes, the Arbitrator’s decision is final and enforceable, unlike the voluntary agreements reached in mediation.

In Alberta, "PN7" refers to Practice Note 7, a guideline established by the Alberta Court of King’s Bench regarding Interventions in family law cases. PN7 outlines the procedures and standards for professionals who are appointed by the court to provide two types of interventions, designed to help families in high-conflict situations. One category of interventions is assessment including Triage and Voice of the Child.  The other is in a helping role of various sorts including Co-Parent Therapy, Mediation, Individual Counselling, and Child Counselling.

Compassionate and Skilled Coparenting Support

Dr. Pickering has been in practice for over 40 years.  He has specialized in separation and divorce matters for many of them.  His current practice is restricted to Parenting Coordination, Family Mediation, Family Arbitration and Practice Note 7 work.﻿
He has a B.A and M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.  He has extensive specialized training in his chosen areas of practice.  ﻿
He is Licensed to practice in Alberta and Ontario; is a member of The Psychologists' Association of Alberta, Association of  Family and Conciliation Courts, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts - Alberta; The Alberta Family Mediation Society and Family Mediation Canada. 

Expert Supports for Co-Parenting Through Separation and Divorce. Range of Services are Described Below

Parenting Coordination

Mediation

Practice Note 7

Compassionate and Skilled Coparenting Support

Dr. Pickering has been in practice for over 40 years. He has specialized in separation and divorce matters for many of them. His current practice is restricted to Parenting Coordination, Family Mediation, Family Arbitration and Practice Note 7 work.

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He has a B.A and M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He has extensive specialized training in his chosen areas of practice.

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He is Licensed to practice in Alberta and Ontario; is a member of The Psychologists' Association of Alberta, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts - Alberta; The Alberta Family Mediation Society and Family Mediation Canada.