Event Recap: Sydney Plus One Panel — Exploring Pathways for Separated Families

On the evening of Wednesday 12 June, Pacifica Congress hosted its Sydney Plus One event at the Mills Oakley Sydney office, drawing together a vibrant cross-section of professionals working in family law, psychology, mediation, and social services. Chaired by Board Director Liz Picker, the evening brought attention to the many nuanced and multidisciplinary pathways available to families navigating separation.

With a shared focus on reducing conflict and improving outcomes for children, the panel explored a range of intervention models – from therapeutic to forensic to facilitative.

A Holistic Look at Post-Separation Support

The panel featured:

• Clare Rowe, Child and Family Psychologist and Family Court Single Expert
• Antonia Marran, Parenting Coordinator and Family Lawyer
• Dr Alison O’Neil, Psychologist, Single Expert & Child-Inclusive Practitioner

Together, the panel offered insights into:

• The role of Family Dispute Resolution, and distinctions between child-focused and child-inclusive practice
• The emerging practice of Parenting Coordination for high-conflict families
• The strengths and limitations of Family Therapy and Parent Coachingin complex separations
• How Child Impact Reports and Family Reports inform legal proceedings and elevate children’s voices

The panel also openly addressed common misunderstandings about therapeutic models in family law contexts—including when therapy can do harm, the ethics of confidentiality, and the limitations of certain interventions.

An Engaged and Interactive Format

Rather than formal presentations, the evening took the shape of a dynamic panel discussion, with attendees encouraged to ask questions and engage with the speakers throughout. This created a collegial, solutions-focused environment, in keeping with Pacifica’s mission to foster professional collaboration and elevate best practices. Key questions from the audience included:

• When should a family be referred back to court?
• What are the red flags that suggest a particular model may not be appropriate?
• How can professionals better navigate the interface between therapy and legal processes?

Looking Ahead

The Plus One series is part of Pacifica Congress’s ongoing commitment to bringing together professionals across disciplines to share knowledge, debate ideas, and develop ethical, evidence-informed approaches to family law challenges. We thank all who attended and contributed to a rich and honest discussion. We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Pacifica Congress Conference, where these conversations will continue and deepen!