Few therapists willingly choose to work with high-conflict divorce cases. The fear of subpoenas, licensing board complaints, and getting caught in legal crossfire keeps many clinicians from helping the families who may need them most. But Berenice Leon Fonseca sees things differently.
Drawing from her unique background in law and family therapy, Berenice illuminates the path for therapists who want to serve families navigating the painful journey of separation but feel intimidated by court involvement. She challenges the profession's tendency toward fear-based avoidance, asking a powerful question: "When we hear somebody impacted by systems and say no because we're afraid of what might happen to us, doesn't that contradict why we entered this field?"
Throughout our conversation, Berenice demystifies court-involved therapy by offering practical frameworks, from establishing clear communication protocols with both parents to collaborating effectively with attorneys. She emphasizes that understanding each professional's role in the system, therapists heal, attorneys advocate, and courts decide, creates more precise boundaries and effective interventions.
The most moving moments come when Berenice describes her approach with children caught in these conflicts. By giving them agency in the therapeutic relationship and helping parents envision what true co-parenting might look like, she creates space for healing amid legal battles. Her powerful question to warring parents, "What would it feel like for your child to be in a room with both of you, not having to please either one?" often catalyzes profound reflection.
Whether you're a therapist curious about expanding your practice, a parent navigating separation, or someone interested in the intersection of legal and mental health systems, this episode offers invaluable insights into helping families heal during their most challenging transitions.
A Hero's Welcome Podcast © Maria Laquerre-Diego & Liliana Baylon
