Co-Parenting Therapy in Woodland Hills, CA
Co-Parenting Therapy in Woodland Hills with Julie Klamon, LMFT
Sharing the responsibility of raising children with someone you are no longer with can be one of the most difficult things you will ever do. Even when both parents genuinely want what is best for their kids, old hurt, resentment, and different parenting styles can turn every interaction into a battle. If you live in or near Woodland Hills and co-parenting has become a source of constant stress, therapy can help you find a way to work together without the conflict.
With more than 20 years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT #37704), I have worked with many co-parents who came in barely able to sit in the same room and left with a functional, workable partnership. My office in Agoura Hills is about 15 minutes from Woodland Hills via the 101, and I also offer virtual sessions for parents anywhere in California.
Co-parenting therapy in Woodland Hills is not about rehashing the past or deciding who was right. It is about building a new kind of relationship that puts your children first and makes your own life more manageable in the process.
Co-Parenting Challenges in Woodland Hills
Woodland Hills is a neighborhood where families take many forms, and co-parenting arrangements are common. After a divorce or separation, both parents often stay in the same general area so kids can remain in their LAUSD schools and keep their friendships intact. That proximity can be a good thing for the children, but it also means co-parents run into each other at school events, sports games, and local spots like The Promenade. When the relationship between parents is strained, even routine interactions can feel charged.
The logistics of co-parenting in a spread-out city like Los Angeles add another layer of difficulty. Pickups and drop-offs across the Valley, different household rules, disagreements about screen time or bedtimes, and the stress of coordinating schedules between two busy lives can wear both parents down. Therapy gives you a neutral space to address these friction points and develop clear agreements that reduce the daily tension.
How I Approach Co-Parenting Therapy
Co-parenting therapy is practical by design. We focus on the issues that are causing the most conflict right now and work on concrete solutions. That might mean establishing communication ground rules, creating consistent routines across both homes, or learning how to handle disagreements without the conversation spiraling. I am not here to take sides. My role is to help both parents step back from the emotional charge and focus on what their children actually need.
You can learn more about my approach on my Co-Parenting Therapy page. Whether you and your co-parent are relatively cooperative or deeply at odds, there are ways to make the situation better for everyone involved.
How Sessions Typically Work
Most co-parenting sessions involve both parents meeting together with me. We start by identifying the specific issues that are causing the most friction right now, whether that is scheduling, discipline, communication, or something else. From there, I help you practice new ways of talking to each other and making decisions together. Some weeks we tackle a single sticking point. Other weeks we step back and look at the bigger patterns. If joint sessions are not possible right away, I can also work with one parent individually to build skills that improve the dynamic from their side.
Who This Is For
Co-parenting therapy is for adults who share parenting responsibilities and want to reduce conflict for the sake of their children. Here are some of the situations that bring parents to my office:
- Recently separated or divorced parents who need help establishing a workable co-parenting structure from the start.
- Parents with ongoing conflict who argue about discipline, schedules, finances, or new partners and need a better way to communicate.
- Parents referred by a court or attorney who have been asked to work with a therapist to improve their co-parenting relationship.
- Parents whose children are showing signs of stress related to the conflict between their households. Learn more about child therapy and teen therapy.
- Blended family situations where step-parents are involved and roles need clarification. Learn more about family therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Co-Parenting Therapy in Woodland Hills
What does co-parenting therapy in Woodland Hills involve?
Co-parenting therapy focuses on helping two parents work together more effectively after a separation or divorce. We address communication problems, disagreements about rules and routines, and the emotional friction that often comes with sharing parenting responsibilities. Sessions are at my Agoura Hills office.
Do both parents have to attend co-parenting therapy sessions?
Ideally, yes, since the goal is to improve how you work together. However, individual sessions can also be valuable if one parent wants to work on their own reactions and communication style. We can discuss what makes sense for your situation during an initial consultation.
Can co-parenting therapy help if my ex and I can barely talk to each other?
Yes, and that is actually one of the most common reasons parents seek this kind of help. Therapy provides a structured space with a neutral third party, which makes it possible to have productive conversations that would otherwise turn into arguments.
Is virtual co-parenting therapy available for Woodland Hills parents?
Yes. I offer secure virtual sessions for parents in California. Virtual therapy can be especially practical for co-parents who live in different parts of the city or who have difficulty being in the same room together at first.
How is co-parenting therapy different from family therapy?
Co-parenting therapy focuses specifically on the relationship between the two parents and how they share parenting responsibilities. Family therapy may include the children and address broader family dynamics. Sometimes both are helpful, and we can figure out the right approach together.
Can co-parenting therapy near Woodland Hills be court-ordered?
Some parents come to co-parenting therapy because a court recommended or required it. I work with both voluntary and court-referred clients. Regardless of how you got here, the goal is the same: reducing conflict and creating a better situation for your children.
Conveniently Located Near Woodland Hills
My office is at 28310 Roadside Dr. #249, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, just west of Woodland Hills on the 101 freeway. I also work with co-parents from Tarzana, Encino, Calabasas, West Hills, Canoga Park, and other San Fernando Valley communities.
Virtual sessions are available for parents who prefer to meet online. Many co-parents seeking co-parenting therapy near Woodland Hills find virtual sessions especially useful when one parent lives in a different part of the city, since both can join from wherever they are.