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5: Family Reunification - Rebuilding Parent-Child Relationships with Leanne Toews
When family relationships break down, especially between a child and a parent, the path forward can feel overwhelming. In this episode of That Was So Real, I’m joined by Leanne Toews — Registered Clinical Counsellor, Qualified Arbitrator, and founder of Coastality — to talk about what reunification counselling really looks like in practice. Leanne shares her experience working with families in conflict, the complexities of rebuilding trust, and how clinical insight can support the family law process in a meaningful, child-focused way.
Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Leanne’s background—how child protection work led her to family reunification
[00:04:00] What family reunification really is (and what it isn’t)
[00:07:00] Understanding alienation, rejection, and the importance of focusing on behaviour over labels
[00:12:00] Who is included in the reunification process—looking at the full family system
[00:18:00] Leanne’s three-phase reunification model: assessment, skill-building, and reconnection
[00:25:00] Skills development for children, parents, and extended family—what’s involved and why it matters
[00:35:00] The power of words and small actions—cards, gifts, and managing expectations
[00:44:00] What successful reunification really looks like (hint: it’s not always parenting time)
[00:51:00] Who might not be a fit for reunification and how those decisions are made
[00:57:00] Planning for self-sufficiency—how families transition out of Leanne’s involvement
Key Takeaways from this Episode:
- Family reunification is a structured, multi-stage process that prioritizes emotional safety for children
- Success is a spectrum—it may look like restored contact, a thoughtful letter, or simply being reachable in the future
- Labels like "alienation" can be unhelpful; it’s more important to understand the behaviours at play
- Reunification work requires full engagement—emotional, logistical, and financial—from everyone involved
- Leanne’s process is grounded in developmental awareness, therapeutic support, and practical planning for lasting change
Whether you're a parent, a family law professional, or just someone navigating tough family dynamics, this conversation sheds light on a process that’s often misunderstood — and deeply needed.
Click here for Leanne's bio and business page.
View all episodes
By Annabelle GoslingWhen family relationships break down, especially between a child and a parent, the path forward can feel overwhelming. In this episode of That Was So Real, I’m joined by Leanne Toews — Registered Clinical Counsellor, Qualified Arbitrator, and founder of Coastality — to talk about what reunification counselling really looks like in practice. Leanne shares her experience working with families in conflict, the complexities of rebuilding trust, and how clinical insight can support the family law process in a meaningful, child-focused way.
Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Leanne’s background—how child protection work led her to family reunification
[00:04:00] What family reunification really is (and what it isn’t)
[00:07:00] Understanding alienation, rejection, and the importance of focusing on behaviour over labels
[00:12:00] Who is included in the reunification process—looking at the full family system
[00:18:00] Leanne’s three-phase reunification model: assessment, skill-building, and reconnection
[00:25:00] Skills development for children, parents, and extended family—what’s involved and why it matters
[00:35:00] The power of words and small actions—cards, gifts, and managing expectations
[00:44:00] What successful reunification really looks like (hint: it’s not always parenting time)
[00:51:00] Who might not be a fit for reunification and how those decisions are made
[00:57:00] Planning for self-sufficiency—how families transition out of Leanne’s involvement
Key Takeaways from this Episode:
- Family reunification is a structured, multi-stage process that prioritizes emotional safety for children
- Success is a spectrum—it may look like restored contact, a thoughtful letter, or simply being reachable in the future
- Labels like "alienation" can be unhelpful; it’s more important to understand the behaviours at play
- Reunification work requires full engagement—emotional, logistical, and financial—from everyone involved
- Leanne’s process is grounded in developmental awareness, therapeutic support, and practical planning for lasting change
Whether you're a parent, a family law professional, or just someone navigating tough family dynamics, this conversation sheds light on a process that’s often misunderstood — and deeply needed.
Click here for Leanne's bio and business page.