New Ways for Families is a short-term skill-based method for families in separation or divorce. This method emphasizes strengthening skills for positive future behavior (new ways), rather than focusing on past negative behavior – while still acknowledging it. It's designed to save courts time, to save parents money, and to protect children as their families re-organize in new ways. Sessions focus on skill-building, with parents learning and practicing four key skills: Flexible Thinking, Managed Emotions, Moderate Behaviors, and Checking Yourself! Parents then teach these same skills to their children, while addressing the child's concerns about the divorce and discussing the new ways the family will function in the future.The goal is for parents to use the skills to make divorce and custody agreements (with the help of professionals), without returning to court for a judge to make decisions for them. Learning and practicing the skills before the big decisions are made allows for a more productive decision making process. Parents continue to use these skills as future co-parenting issues arise.This method can be used in all areas of family law: court, mediation, collaborative divorce, individual or family therapy, or prior to any family court involvement (including Pre-Mediation and Pre-Collaborative Divorce).Visit our website for information on each of the New Ways for Families models.