LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – During June, co-parents in Lake County will have the opportunity to attend “From Conflict to Cooperation.”

These free two-session workshops will help co-parents who have trouble resolving disagreements with each other.

Facilitated by Mary McMillan, MFT, the workshops can offer hope to parents who have been arguing for a long time, by providing new tools for them to change their communication style.

The goal is for parents to build a cooperative style, so they can share their children.

“Co-parents who can cooperate and communicate effectively will protect their children from the harm caused by chronic conflict,” McMillan said.

These two-session workshops will be offered in two locations and at two different times.

On Tuesday evenings, June 7 and June 14, they will take place at 14147 Lakeshore Blvd., in Clearlake, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

On Friday mornings, June 3 and June 10, workshops will be offered in Kelseyville at the Presbyterian Church Hall, 5340 3rd St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch and childcare will be provided.

Parents who are divorced or separated often have trouble discussing issues related to the children.

“We want to prevent the emotional damage children experience when they are trapped between parents who can’t cooperate,” McMillan said. “Over time, if the parents stay stuck in conflict, these children can develop serious emotional problems, and become vulnerable to substance abuse, gang involvement and crime.”

During the two-session workshops, co-parents will learn tools for working together when they need to resolve issues related to custody and visitation.

Because feelings can become intense when discussing these issues, McMillan will provide ways to manage emotions and strategies for respecting each other’s differences.

Parents will learn to set boundaries with each other and develop effective ways to resolve disagreements.

McMillan, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and author of “Get Inside Your Relationships, Tools and Strategies for Building Attachments,” coaches local co-parents to improve their cooperation, and provides therapy to heal children and families stressed by chronic conflict.

Since space is limited, early registration is encouraged.

For more information about the workshops, contact Mary McMillan at 707-972-3913 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To register, call Sunrise Special Services, 707-274-9121, Extension 8.

McMillan is providing these workshops in conjunction with Sunrise Special Services Foundation and Dr. Katherine Andre, director of Family Court Services. They are funded by the Mental Health Services Act, through a grant from Lake County Mental Health.