Lunch & Learn

As the number of never married parents in the U.S. has increased over the past few decades, public attitudes towards diverse family structures have also shifted.  Our embedded assumptions can impact the way we work with families whose experiences are different from those of divorced families.  In this conversation we will examine the dynamics and particular needs of parents and children in families where there was a limited relationship between parents before having children, and develop a more complex understanding of how best to work with them.  

Upon completion of this 1.25 hour presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify distinct relationship dynamics in parents who have little or no relationship prior to having children.
2. Analyze how the grief process differs for Never Married Solo Parents as compared to separated or divorced parents, and how that may impact children.
3. Explain how therapy, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes, and custody evaluations are challenged in working with solo parents.
4. Create strategies for working across disciplines to better serve the children’s needs in Never Married, Solo Parenting families.

Speaker: Carol Hornbeck, LMFT

works with children, adolescents and adults across the lifespan to identify their deepest values and build on the strengths they already have for growth and healing.  Prior to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in Indiana and Minnesota, she worked nationally with religious and secular nonprofit organizations to respond to and reduce the risk of child abuse and intimate partner violence. She has worked with clergy to prevent sexual misconduct through boundaries and ethics training, and with diverse groups of parents to build skills and develop deeper relationships with their families.  Her interest in working with families of divorce was shaped by her work on the staff of Centerpoint Counseling’s New Day for Families of Divorce program in Indianapolis,  a directional support group for parents and children.  She serves on the Education Committee of AFCC Minnesota.  Her private practice is located in Columbia Heights.