Season 2 Fortified: Episode 1 Lessons on Love & Divorce with Laura Dodds and Leisa Toomey

In the first episode of season 2, we welcome Laura Dodds to the couch with Leisa Toomey, and our facilitator, Laticia Braving.

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on a journey into the intricate world of high-conflict parenting issues with Laura Dodds. Laura is a seasoned expert who steps in when parenting conflicts reach a critical point, dedicated to uncovering the root causes and forging agreements that prioritise the well-being of the children involved.

Laura Dodds is a single expert witness and an appointed family consultant for the family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. With over 20 years' experience in undertaking forensic social science risk assessments and working with individuals and families who've experienced trauma, substance misuse, domestic and family violence, parental separation, and mental health issues.

 

She is the program coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work and an associate lecturer in social work teaching in undergraduate and master's programs within the School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She's also the managing director and senior family consultant of Edgeways Consultancy on the Sunshine Coast, a forensic assessment agency providing best practice, high-quality social science assessments of children and their families.

As a single expert witness, Laura's role isn't about establishing evidence or facts; rather, it's a compassionate endeavour to conduct a risk assessment focused on child safety. This path is often emotionally charged and challenging for parents who grapple with their own narratives amidst the complexity of family dynamics and behaviours.

The barriers to reaching parenting agreements often originate from anticipated relational complexities linked to the grief and loss of separation. Laura emphasises that her intervention isn't limited to extreme cases; it extends to many high-conflict situations.

Don't miss this enlightening discussion, which offers a profound understanding of the challenges inherent to high-conflict parenting situations.