Professional Speaking & Education
Changing the Conversation Around Divorce
Your feelings matter. So do your child's.
Journey Forward Counselling offers engaging, child-centred presentations and educational workshops designed to help parents and professionals better understand the emotional impact of separation and divorce on families. Through a combination of lived experience, professional knowledge, and practical strategies, my goal is to encourage reflection, promote healthier co-parenting approaches, and advocate for children's voices to be heard.
Audiences
Who This Is For
Parents & Families
Separated or divorced parents looking to better understand the emotional impact of family transitions on their children and build healthier co-parenting habits.
Legal & Family Professionals
Family lawyers, mediators, and social workers who support families through separation and want a deeper understanding of the child-centred perspective.
Schools & Community Organisations
Educators, counsellors, and community groups seeking accessible, evidence-informed education on supporting children through family change.
What I speak about
Topics I Cover
- The emotional impact of separation and divorce on children
- Understanding loyalty binds and how to protect children from conflict
- Child-centred co-parenting communication strategies
- BIFF® Responses for high-conflict communication
- The importance of children's voices in family decision-making
- Supporting children's resilience through family transitions
- Practical tools for reducing conflict and moving forward
Group Program
Effective Co-Parenting Communication Series
Practical skills for calmer, clearer and more child-focused communication
Co-parenting conversations can quickly become tense, misunderstood, or focused on past conflict. This live virtual three-part series will help you respond more effectively, manage emotional reactions, and keep communication focused on what matters most — your children.
You may register individually. Your co-parent does not need to participate for you to benefit.
What You Will Learn
- Recognise common co-parenting conflict patterns
- Manage emotional reactions before responding
- Communicate in a brief, clear and child-focused manner
- Use BIFF® Responses for hostile or emotionally charged communication
- Develop respectful parenting proposals
- Apply skills to realistic co-parenting situations
Sundays: September 20, September 27 and October 4, 2026
6:30–8:00 p.m. CST · Live virtual sessions
$150 + GST for the complete three-part series
This is an educational, skills-based series and is not individual counselling, legal advice, or a substitute for legal services.
Your facilitator
Meet Your Facilitator
The series is facilitated by Melanie Vegter, BSW, RSW — a Registered Social Worker, Certified Divorce Coach®, and New Ways for Families® provider. Melanie specialises in supporting individuals and families experiencing separation, divorce, co-parenting conflict, and changes in parent–child relationships. Her approach combines professional knowledge with practical strategies that help parents communicate more intentionally and keep their children's needs at the centre of their decisions.
Interested in a Speaking Engagement?
I welcome enquiries from organisations, schools, law firms, and community groups. Get in touch to discuss topics, formats, and availability.