Divorce education interventions are increasingly utilized as alternative dispute resolution methods for high-conflict co-parents. However, these interventions have often been criticized for their lack of clear theoretical foundations and for failing to address the personal and relational aspects of co-parenting conflicts—challenges that are both inter- and intrapersonal.
This roundtable discussion will highlight findings from a pilot study investigating the impact of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) co-parenting group on intrapersonal challenges in high-conflict co-parenting, such as co-parenting self-efficacy, self-regulation, and psychological flexibility.
The conversation will explore alternative dispute resolution approaches that prioritize addressing the underlying issues faced by co-parents through therapeutic and psychoeducational interventions, as opposed to traditional, manualized court-mandated education, which often focuses narrowly on parenting skills. The session will also discuss the implications of these approaches for fostering long-term co-parenting relationships, familial stability, and overall well-being.
Presenter: Austin M. Guida, PhD
Dr. Austin Guida holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Arizona and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling/School Counseling Program at Northern Arizona University. A Nationally Certified Counselor and Licensed Associate Counselor, Dr. Guida specializes in working with children, adults, high-conflict family systems, and co-parenting dyads.
Her clinical background shapes her research interests, which focus on the application of contextual and relational theories, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to address psychological flexibility, imposterism, self-efficacy, and self-regulation in groups, high-conflict family systems, and children.