Family Court Services

Couples Counseling

What is couple’s counseling?
Who is the staff?
What are the staff’s qualifications?
Do you do individual counseling?
Is the counseling confidential?
What about domestic violence?
What if there is a restraining order between us?
What does couples’ counseling cost?
How many sessions will we need? How often will we meet?
Can I bring another person to the appointment?
Do you have counseling in languages other than English?
Is Family Court Services my only option?
How do I schedule a counseling appointment?
What should I expect at the first appointment?

 

What is couple’s counseling?
Couples counseling, also called "conciliation," is offered at Family Court Services for couples who, unless they receive such services, are likely to divorce, separate, or otherwise end their relationship.

Who is the staff?
Family Court Services has several Mediation and Conciliation Specialists who provide both domestic relations mediation and conciliation services.

What are the staff’s qualifications?
The staff who provide couples counseling services are experienced professionals who meet the qualifications of Conciliators under Oregon state law. They have educational backgrounds and/or substantial experience in the behavioral sciences.

Do you do individual counseling?
Family Court Services staff will occasionally hold an individual session with either party in connection with that person’s couple’s counseling case; however, FCS does not provide Individual Counseling as a service. We are happy to provide you with a list of local resources including private practitioners and agencies which provide individual therapy.

Is the counseling confidential?
The confidentiality of our conciliation (counseling) services is protected by state law. There are certain limitations to the protection of confidentiality. Staff will review the protections and limitations of confidentiality in the initial appointment, and answer any questions you may have.

What about domestic violence?
Family Court Services is committed to client safety. Couples’ counseling is helpful for many parties, but is not helpful or appropriate in all circumstances. Family Court Services staff conducts an initial and ongoing evaluation to determine the presence and degree of domestic violence between the parties, and to take steps to protect the safety of the participants accordingly, up to and including terminating counseling sessions. Clients are encouraged to share any concerns they have about their own or another person’s safety with FCS staff. Our Links section has information about area domestic violence resources.

What if there is a restraining order between us?
If there is a current restraining order between the parties, or if there has been a restraining order between the parties at any time within the last calendar year, FCS will schedule a completely separate initial appointment with each party. During the initial individual appointments, FCS will work with each person to determine whether counseling is appropriate in their case, and, if so, what additional arrangements are necessary for client safety during the counseling sessions.

What does couples’ counseling cost?
If parties have filed a qualifying domestic relations action in Clackamas County (qualifying actions include: Dissolution, Annulment, Separation, Custody or Support of a Child, Filiation (Paternity), or a Modification of any of the above actions at least one year after the date of the final dissolution or custody or support order, and paid the court a filing fee, they are entitled to some counseling sessions at no additional charge. If you have filed a Dissolution, Annulment or Separation inClackamas County and paid the court filing fee, each party is entitled to two free sessions. If parties have filed a Custody or Support of a Child petition or Filiation petition after July 8, 1998 and paid the court filing fee, each party is entitled to two free sessions. If parties have filed a Modification of a qualifying domestic relations action in Clackamas County at least one year after the date of the final dissolution or custody or support order and paid the court filing fee, the moving party is entitled to one free session. When parties are each entitled to two free sessions, the sessions are scheduled as follows: each party has one individual one-hour session first, and then together they have a 1.5-hour joint session.
If counseling extends beyond the free sessions, the fee for counseling services is $90.00 per hour. Fee waivers and payment plans are available for clients who filed qualifying domestic relations actions with Clackamas County and qualify based on income guidelines. If you would like to learn if you qualify for a fee waiver or payment plan, please speak to FCS staff

How many sessions will we need? How often will we meet?
The number of sessions that clients need varies, depending on the issues in the case. The counselor and the clients will determine what is necessary. Couples’ counseling sessions are sometimes scheduled once a week for a series of several weeks, or every other week, or as needed. The couples’ counseling services at Family Court Services are intended to be short-term, solution-focused counseling. FCS can make referrals to area providers for couples looking for more long-term, in-depth counseling.

Can I bring another person to the appointment?
Third parties, such as new significant others, are only allowed to take part in a session if both parties to the counseling agree to have that third party present.

Do you have counseling in languages other than English?
We provide counseling in Spanish.

We provide counseling through contracted interpreters in ASL and other languages upon request. There is no additional charge to clients for interpretation services.

Please see Servicios en Espanol and our Links page for more information and resources.

Is Family Court Services my only option?
Clackamas County Family Court Services offers high quality, affordable counseling services to families. Our counseling services are one option for resolving issues. Private counselors and therapists are also available, and can be located through the telephone book. You may also see our Links section for more resources. FCS staff will happily provide you information about the resources in our community to help you determine the best option for you and your family.

How do I schedule a counseling appointment?
1. You may call our offices at 503-655-8415 during regular business hours [link]. Our staff will conduct a brief intake with you (usually 5–10 minutes), asking you some basic information about your case and the issues you want to discuss in mediation. The front office staff will also set an appointment with you and/or your partner at that time.

2. Next, you may download a copy of our Intake Form and complete it prior to your first session. If you cannot download a copy of the form and complete it ahead of time, please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your first session so that you will have enough time to complete the additional paperwork. If you have questions, please call us during our regular business hours.

What should I expect at the first appointment?
If you have an individual initial appointment, the counselor will meet with you for a one hour appointment and will then send a letter of invitation to the other party, inviting that person to call for his or her own individual appointment. After that person has an individual appointment, a joint appointment can be scheduled.

If the initial appointment is a joint appointment, the appointment is scheduled for 1½ hours in length. During this appointment, each of you will have some time to speak with the counselor individually.

FCS is unable to provide childcare during mediation appointments. Please make alternate arrangements for your children.

For more information, please e-mail us.