Susie McCabe
MACP, RSW, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor
Mediator, Divorce Coach,
Views of the Child Report Writer and
Child Specialist for Divorce and Separation
Susie holds a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Thompson Rivers University and a Master degree in Psychology and Counselling from Yorkville University. She has 20 years experience working with people in various therapeutic settings. Susie began her career working with young offenders in a wilderness setting. She has worked in clinical settings such as Sexual Assault Counselling Centres, Child and Youth Mental Health, Contract services for Respectful Relationships with court appointed individuals of Domestic Violence. For many years Susie also worked with children, youth, families and individuals with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and life transitions.
Susie expanded her practice to include assistance to Family Law Matters. Susie has her Family Mediation Certificate. She is a divorce coach, child professional and report writer for evaluative and non evaluative View of the Child Reports.
Divorce Coach and Child Professional
Susie is a member of Vancouver Collaborative Law as a Divorce Coach and a Child Professional. She is also a registered member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Susie completed her Family Mediation certificate and Basic Training in Collaborative Law in 2023.
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Susie is an attachment based and trauma informed counsellor. Susie considers every new client as an opportunity to help someone understand their story better and to help people respond to life’s hurdles in healthy and productive ways. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma based CBT, Motivational Interviewing and Suicide and Threat Risk Assessment.
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Susie has a unique skill set and personality that allows her to relate to hard to reach clients. Susie has 15 years experience working directly with adolescents and parents. Susie assists parents to understand their own story in order to honour their healthy relating patterns and to help shift their patterns that are interfering with their relationship with their children. Susie is trained in coding the Adult Attachment Interview for Parental Reflective Functioning, Modified Interactional Guidance, Watch, Wait and Wonder.
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Susie has a reputation for assisting people in high conflict situations to feel safer and to grow during adverse times in their lives. The majority of Susie’s interventions are based on enhancing relationships in the lives of her clients. She strives to build capacity in her clients that enhance their relationships longterm. Susie is trained in Emotional Family Focused Therapy.
Divorce and Separation Support
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Susie is trained in preparing Views of the Child Reports. Susie can be hired for both evaluative reports including Section 211 Reports and Non Evaluative Hear the Child Reports. Susie is in good standing with BC Hear the Child. (Hearthechild.ca)
These reports provide the opportunity for your child’s views to be presented to the court or to their family in a manner that honours the child’s own voice and experiences. Each child’s experience in a family with his/her/their parents is their experience alone. This report is to find strength in each parent’s care of their child. In the case of an evaluative report the information will be used to determine the best recommendations for schedules, parenting time and important relationships and decisions.
Imperfect parenting has a place in every home and in every adult. This report allows for imperfect parenting. It also allows for further understanding of your child’’s lived experiences and needs moving forward in their childhood after the separation of their parents.
The information provided in a finished report rarely meets the needs of one or both parents. The purpose is to express the needs of the child in hopes of parents reconsidering and compromising on their own needs and wants to better align with their childs. Separation and divorce is a difficult but necessary choice for many couples. Child centered plans after separation will rarely be fair in adult context. Child centred recommendations are not always invested in 50-50 splits in parenting time or responsibility. Whenever safe to do so it is a priority of this evaluator that children maintain relationships with both parents after separation.
Rates:
All fees do not include GST
~Non evaluative Hear the Child Report:
Please contact Susie to confirm accurate estimate for your family.
Cost for 1 child standard Hear the Child — $1300.00 plus GST
30 minute initial consultation. Available to both parents. — No charge
Child assessment interviews, collection of family history, parent interviews. — $150.00 per hour
Collateral interviews completed by telephone.* — $150.00 per hour
Disclosure interview — $150.00 per hour
Documentation and writing assessment. Letters and reports. — $100.00 per hour
Court appearance/participation — $150.00 per hour
Travel time. Charges applicable after travel exceeds 20km one way. — $75.00 per hour
*Collateral interviews are not done at the request of the parents. These are utilized when the assessor deems more information is required to help clarify discrepancies in collected information.
~Evaluative Reports including Section 211 Reports:
Estimate for Evaluative report will be provided after consultation about your family’s specific report needs.
30 minute initial consultation. Available to both parents. — No charge
Child assessment interviews, collection of family history, parent interviews. — $225.00 per hour
Collateral interviews completed by telephone. * — $225.00 per hour
Disclosure interview. — $225.00 per hour
Documentation and writing assessment. Letters and reports. — $225.00 per hour
Court appearance/participation. — $225.00 per hour
Travel time. Charges applicable after travel exceeds 20km one way. — $75.00 per hour
*Collateral interviews are not done at the request of the parents. These are utilized when the assessor deems more information is required to help clarify discrepancies in collected information.
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Susie has expertise and training to assist parents with co parenting, parenting planning, child development, the impact of divorce on children, impacts of domestic violence and other issues related to divorce.
When parents work with divorce coaches their legal costs are lower and the relationships that exist after separation are healthier, more productive and capable of collaboration. While working with Susie you will learn how your communication impacts progress and learn new ways to present yourself in conflict during the separation and beyond. Divorce is a necessary and healthy response to changing relationships, it is not divorce that impacts children, it is parental conflict and stress. It is not uncommon for couples engaged in hurt and grief to struggle with healthy communication without assistance.
Please follow this link to learn more of how Divorce Coaching can assist with your separation:
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Susie has over 20 years experience working with children and youth. Susie enjoys meeting with children and is capable of providing a safe and comfortable support experience for your child.
During times of conflict or high stress it is normal and predictable that children may struggle to share their opinions with their parents. Children will often opt to protect their parents feelings and try to make both homes happy. Divorce is a stressful time for children and the sooner parents can provide the opportunity for their children to voice their hopes and their concerns the sooner their child will feel heard and experience less stress.
Please follow the link below to learn more of how Child Professionals may assist with your separation:
Mediation
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Susie is experienced in helping people navigate and resolve conflict. Susie is trained in interest based mediation. This style of mediation helps people communicate during conflict and to reach mutually agreed upon solutions. During high conflict it is difficult for people to speak about the heart of the conflict. Without transparency and courageous conversation many conflicts go unresolved impacting families, work places and other relationships.
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Cost-Effective: Mediation is often less expensive than litigation. It helps avoid the high costs associated with court proceedings.
Time-Saving: Mediation can be quicker than the court process, allowing families to resolve issues in a timelier manner.
Less Adversarial: Mediation fosters a cooperative rather than adversarial atmosphere, which can help preserve relationships and reduce stress.
Control and Flexibility: Parties retain control over the outcome, as opposed to having a decision imposed by a judge. Mediation allows for more flexible and creative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the family.
Improved Communication: The process can improve communication skills and help establish better ways of interacting, which can be beneficial for ongoing relationships, especially when children are involved.
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Divorce or Separation: Mediators can help negotiate the terms of a divorce, including division of assets, spousal support, and parenting plans.
Child Custody and Support: When parents cannot agree on custody arrangements or child support, a mediator can help develop a plan that prioritizes the child's best interests.
Elder Care Decisions: Families dealing with decisions regarding the care of elderly parents can benefit from mediation to ensure that all family members' voices are heard.
Inheritance and Estate Disputes: Mediators can assist in resolving conflicts over inheritance and the distribution of a family estate.
Work place/Volunteer conflict: Workplace mediation is a voluntary and confidential process used to resolve conflicts and disputes between employees or between employees and management. This process is beneficial for maintaining a harmonious work environment, promoting collaboration, and improving overall workplace productivity.
Disputes in Neighbourhoods: Mediation is a better alternative as relationships are often intact after mediated solutions. There is opportunity for improved communication and relationships after mediation.
Contact
To contact Susie to book an appointment or with any further questions please call or text: (250)318-6268 or email: susie@thriveclinical.ca