Professional Opportunity for Massachusetts LMHCs
Become a Category V Parenting Coordinator
Use your experience with children, families, conflict, and clinical practice to help parents manage ongoing parenting-plan issues through a court-appointed professional role.
VIEW COURT REQUIREMENTS
What Is a Parenting Coordinator?
A Parenting Coordinator (PC) is a court-appointed third-party professional who helps parents address ongoing conflicts and practical problems related to the implementation of parenting plans.
The goal is to help parents reduce conflict, improve communication, resolve day-to-day parenting issues, and keep parenting arrangements focused on the best interests of their children.
Why This May Be a Great Opportunity for LMHCs
LMHCs often bring experience in family systems, communication, conflict management, child development, behavioral health, clinical assessment, and helping families develop practical strategies. These skills can be valuable in parenting coordination when combined with the specialized training and experience required by the Court.
What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?
Facilitate Communication
Help parents communicate more effectively about parenting-plan implementation and child-related issues.
Address Parenting Conflicts
Help parents work through recurring disagreements concerning the implementation of their parenting plan.
Develop Practical Solutions
Assist parents in identifying workable approaches to recurring parenting and scheduling issues.
Keep the Focus on the Children
Support parenting-plan implementation with the child's best interests and well-being in mind.
Do You Meet the Basic Requirements?
The Massachusetts Probate and Family Court establishes specific qualifications for Parenting Coordinators. Licensed mental health counselors are among the professionals who may qualify when they meet the Court's requirements.
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Massachusetts LMHC license
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At least four years of related professional experience after Massachusetts licensure
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Professional liability insurance meeting the Court's requirements
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At least 30 hours of mediation training
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At least 6 hours of training concerning intimate partner abuse and family violence dynamics
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At least 35 hours of approved specialty training in parenting coordination
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Ongoing continuing education as required by the Court
Important:
Being an LMHC does not by itself guarantee eligibility or appointment. Applicants must satisfy all applicable Category V requirements established by the Probate and Family Court.
What Counts as Related Experience?
The Court's parenting-coordination requirements recognize relevant experience involving families and children. Examples can include professional work with families involved in custody or parenting-time disputes, family therapy, or child therapy, as well as other experience that meets the Court's definition of related professional experience.
Because the Court determines whether an applicant satisfies the applicable requirements, LMHCs should review the current Standing Order and application carefully when evaluating their own experience.
Your Path to Category V
1
QUALIFY
Review the Court's licensure, experience, training, and insurance requirements.
2
TRAIN
Complete the required mediation, family-violence, and parenting-coordination education.
3
APPLY
Complete the Category V application and submit the required documentation.
4
MAINTAIN
Complete ongoing continuing education and comply with the Court's continuing requirements.
An Important Difference: Parenting Coordinator vs. Therapist
A Parenting Coordinator serves in a specialized court-related role and is not the therapist for either parent or child in the parenting-coordination matter.
The role focuses on parenting-plan implementation, communication, conflict management, and child-related decisions within the authority established by the Court.
LMHCs considering this opportunity should carefully review the Court's rules concerning confidentiality, conflicts of interest, professional boundaries, communication, and the limits of the parenting coordinator's authority.
Official Massachusetts Court Resources
Review the current Court rules, requirements, application, and training information before pursuing Category V appointment.
CATEGORY V REQUIREMENTS
CATEGORY V APPLICATION
FEE-GENERATING APPOINTMENTS
Ready to Explore Category V?
Review the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court's current requirements and determine whether parenting coordination is a good fit for your LMHC experience and professional goals.
EXPLORE CATEGORY V
VIEW THE APPLICATION
Information for educational purposes:
This page is intended to help Massachusetts LMHCs learn about Category V Parenting Coordinator opportunities. It is not legal advice and does not replace the official requirements, Standing Orders, applications, guidelines, or instructions of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. Requirements and training information may change. Applicants should review the current Mass.gov materials before applying.