Reintegration therapy is a form of therapy aimed at repairing and rebuilding relationships—most often between a parent and child—after a period of estrangement, separation, or disruption.
At Relate Family Therapy and Counseling, our therapists have worked to help rebuild and reconnect relationships for over 15 years. This work can be very challenging and requires an additional skill set outside of the standard therapeutic process. As a reintegration therapist you work to develop a safe supportive relationship between a caregiver, or close family member, and a child. You address the history of the relationship from all parties perspectives. The therapist will help the clients to name thoughts and feelings that have been felt and how to move forward with the best course of action for the family system.
In reintegration at Relate, the parents working to reintegrate and the child are the primary clients. The caregiver outside of that system is part of the process of reintegration, but is not a clients.
The reintegration process is one that can help a child feel reconnected and bonded with a caregiver. This often helps a child to feel more supported in all areas of their life and can lead to improved health and emotional well-being all around. With this process, clear expectations and boundaries can be set between a caregiver and their child in order to foster safety and security in the relationship. Providing a space to allow all parties to feel seen and heard while addressing future goals of the relationship, is an excellent way to help a family system reconnect. We are proud to have taken on hundreds of reintegration cases as a team. Our therapists expertise in this area provides a high level of care and knowledge around what can be a very challenging set of circumstances.
Relate Family Therapy and Counseling can speak to you about the best options to meet your family’s needs in addition to fulfilling your duty through the court. We understand how difficult it can be and work to make a plan that is effective and collaborative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reintegration therapy?
Reintegration therapy is a structured process designed to rebuild a safe, connected relationship between a child and a caregiver. Every family’s goals may look different, but the focus is on establishing appropriate boundaries and strengthening the parent-child relationship.
How much does reintegration therapy cost?
Reintegration sessions are $180 for a 50-minute session. If more than one party is paying, the cost will be split by percentage and will remain consistent for all sessions, regardless of who attends. All billing must be agreed upon prior to starting sessions.
Is reintegration therapy covered by insurance?
No. Reintegration is not considered a medical necessity, so we cannot bill insurance (including Medicaid). All sessions are self-pay. We can provide an invoice, but we cannot provide a superbill for insurance reimbursement.
Do sessions have to be in person?
Reintegration sessions tend to be in person, particularly for the caregiver and child to connect. These scheduled sessions Monday through Friday based on the therapist’s availability. Weekend appointments are not available at this time.
Who is considered the client in reintegration therapy?
The child and the reintegrating parent are considered the clients. The primary caregiver is not a client but is an advocate and source of information for therapeutic goals. All parties are expected to participate as needed and be open to feedback.
Will the therapist provide recommendations for parenting time?
No. Relate Family Therapy does not provide opinions or recommendations about parenting time. That is outside our scope of practice.
Does Relate Do Supervised Visitation?
No, the work of the therapist in reintegration is to meet treatment goals and not to supervise parenting time.
Why should my child miss school or activities to take part in treatment?
Research consistently shows that having a safe, supportive relationship with both parents has long term positive impacts. Taking part in this process allows for appropriate processing of history, setting of boundaries, and establishing support levels to be set and maintained for the child, which has long-term benefits.
The reintegrating parent is manipulative and narcissistic. They tend to lie about events and sway opinions in their favor. How do I know they will not do this to the therapist?
Reintegration therapists at Relate have experience with people and caregivers in many capacities. The therapist works to understand each family as they enter the space and provide plans to reach goals based on each family’s needs. At times therapists will have to confront parties around events or goals. This is part of the process and has been established as a need in this work that is not unique.
How long does reintegration take?
There is no set timeline. Reintegration continues until the therapist determines that the goals have been met, even if an outside party has set an expectation for a specific number of sessions.
What if we need the therapist to attend court?
Our team is skilled and has lots of experience with families that are involved in the court process. Many times the therapeutic needs of a family do not need to involve the courtroom, even when attorneys are playing a role. You will agree up front to not involving your therapist in court. A therapist can choose to advocate for a child or participate if they believe it serves the goals, but it is up to them to decide. If the therapist or any Relate team member is involved in court proceedings, there is a $400 per hour court charge for any and all time required charged in 15-minute increments. A legal fee agreement must be signed by all parties at the start of therapy with current financial information completed.
How does the waitlist work?
Due to high demand, prospective clients are placed on a waitlist only after both parties have signed the letter of intent form. Once both parties agree to an open time slot, the case moves to active status. If you decline an offered time, you will be removed from the waitlist.
How does communication with Relate Family Therapy work during the reintegration process?
All parties will sign a Release of Information, allowing therapists to communicate with outside sources as they feel is necessary and relevant to the work.
Can Relate refuse reintegration services?
Yes. Relate Family Therapy reserves the right to decline services at our discretion. All parties are expected to treat staff and therapists with respect throughout the process. Harassment or intimidation of Relate team members or therapists regarding waitlist placement, contact with parties, or treatment will not be tolerated.