mckenzie friend support
practical, lived-experience guidance for parents navigating FCFCOA
self-representing in family court is hard. doing it while experiencing coercive control, protecting a child and trying to hold yourself together — is a struggle that few truly understand.
I have been there and now I help other safe parents.
who this is for
you are the safe parent
navigating a system that can extend and amplify coercive & controlling behaviour.
you want to understand the process
from someone who has actually been through it and has learnt how to successfully navigate it.
you are self-representing
or supporting yourself through the process alongside a lawyer.
you want help navigating a machiavellian dynamic
and build your confidence and courage while doing so.
This is currently offered to a small group, by invitation only.
what I help with
explaining court process & terminology
admin suggestions
mediation preparation
emotional confidence
communication skills
timeline clarity
seeking appropriate support
self leadership
parenting support
what I don’t do
I do not provide legal advice or strategy
I do not advise on the merit of your case
I do not review or draft legal documents
I do not offer opinions on likely outcomes
I do not advise on property settlement, specific parenting orders, or legislation
I do not advise on AVOs, DVOs etc
If your situation is outside of my scope of support,
I will let you know and refer you to someone who can help.
I am not a solicitor. This is not legal advice.
about
I have Self-Represented through my own Family Court matter, whilst navigating high-risk coercive control, isolation from my support network and parenting my child who experienced complex trauma from psychological and emotional abuse.
I learnt along the way that there is a gap between lived reality and the Court room. This is possibly one of the hardest parts of the process to navigate.
Currently, I am slowly stepping into advocacy for safe parents navigating Family Court and Coercive Control.
Since my final trial, I have been invited to join a Lived Experience Advisory Group and a Representative Panel. Additionally representing a not-for-profit charity at the Governor-General's premises.
During my experience, I found extreme value in surrounding myself with the right support along the way. This offering is designed to provide you support when you may be experiencing the isolation, conflict and confusion whilst trying to be the best parent possible and protect your children from harm.
The process of Family Court is not for the faint hearted. It will test and challenge every fibre of your being, but if you meet these challenges well, it can become a truly life changing experience.
disclaimer
I am not a solicitor. anything discussed in this service does not constitute legal advice and does not replace independent legal advice from a qualified professional.
This offering is support and guidance based on lived experience, designed to help you navigate the process of separation and Family Court.
your questions, answered
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No. I'm not a solicitor. This is guidance from lived experience — not a substitute for legal advice by any means.
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I will only consider this on a discretionary basis. This is not a standard part of any offerings.
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If something comes up that is outside of my scope, I will communicate this with you and refer you to someone who will better support you.
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Sessions are currently priced at $99 per 45 minutes for a 1:1 call. This is a reduced rate as I am aware of the high costs involved during Family Court.
If you are a low income earner or receiving a pension, please contact me directly.
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Once a session is paid and booked, it is non-refundable. in extraordinary or specific circumstances where I am unable to support you, refunds will be offered in discretion.
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no. this support is also open to parents who have a lawyer but want extra support and clarity alongside them.
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you will need to be separated/divorced and somehwere on the pathway of Family Court.
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Yes. I bring forward the parenting skills and techniques I learnt whilst collaborating with professionals over the past 5 years, including play and art therapy approaches I learnt to support my child at a time when therapeutic support was obstructed.
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As a leadership coach with a deep interest in service-led business, communication and relational skills are a genuine passion of mine. Communication is a core part of navigating family court well and requires the learning of a ‘new language’.
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Yes. Having attended multiple mediations myself combined with my business experience, I understand the skills involved in negotiating well — particularly within manipulative or high-conflict dynamics.
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Safe parents generally have a mindset where they are wiling to learn, grow and make decisions of change to better themselves and their children.
This attitude and behaviour, I believe is a pre-cursor to being successful during the Family Court process.
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generally, no. unless in unique circumstances.
reason being is that perpetrating parents are likely in need of deeper support and interventions to be able to initiate true change.
if at any point, I deem that I am unable to support a parent due to their mindset/attitude/beliefs/behaviours, I will communicate this accordingly and provide options for referrals.
please also note that I understand the nuance and complexity of safe parents who experience false allegations.
the next steps
click the link
there is a button that will take you to a booking page. select your day and time.
complete the questionnaire
once you have booked and paid for your session, you will receive a link to a questionnaire. please submit this no less than 24hrs prior to our call so I have enough time to review your information and maximise our time during the call.
join our session
once you have submitted your questionnaire answers, prepare for our call and have a pen and paper at the ready,