Exploring Best Practices in Parenting Coordination: A National Survey of Current Practices and Practitioners

This study addresses a lack of empirical research informing evidence‐based practices in the field of parenting coordination. We conducted a national survey of parenting coordinators ( PCs ), using the PC Network of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Participants ( N = 79) were presented with narrative descriptions of interventions prescribed by parenting coordination trainers, and rated how effective they perceived each intervention to be in resolving conflicts. Results indicated that PCs perceived specific interventions to be more effective than others. Contrary to expectations, legal and mental health professionals surveyed did not differ significantly in the degree to which they rated interventions as effective. Implications for interdisciplinary, evidence‐based practice and training of PCs are presented, although caution should be exercised when attempting to generalize findings from a limited sample to the broader population. Keypoints for the Family Court Communitygain insight into interventions prescribed by parenting coordination trainers across the country. To understand which interventions are seen as most important by a national sample of parenting coordinators. To explore the differences in perceived importance of specific interventions between legal and mental health professionals. To guide training and collaboration in the field of parenting coordination.