Collaborative Divorce Consultants

Practicing What We Preach

Our consultants, Dr. Irene Schatz and attorney Debra Baer promote constructive relationships between divorced parents. The two women actually share a unique perspective on friendly post-divorce relationships: Baer is married to Schatz's ex-husband, and Schatz is close personal friends with both Baer and her own current husband's ex-wife. Baer, meanwhile, maintains a close, healthy co-parenting relationship with her ex-husband. Both Schatz and Baer know from personal experience that relationships with co-parents and their spouses can be civil, even friendly, and they use their own lives as an inspirational example for clients.

Irene M. Schatz, Ph.D.

Irene M. Schatz received her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and is licensed in the State of Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator. Dr. Schatz has conducted extensive research on post-divorce co-parenting relationships and, in her 25 years of clinical practice, has helped numerous couples negotiate the transition from conflict to collaboration. She teaches graduate level family therapy courses and is a frequent lecturer on issues related to separation/divorce and collaborative co-parenting.

Debra C. Baer, B.C.L.

Debra C. Baer received her law degree from McGill University, and for 23 years she has been a practicing attorney specializing in Family Law. As an adjunct to her practice, she has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses related to the legal and psychological aspects of marriage, separation, and divorce. Most recently, she has decided to dedicate herself to full time Family Mediation and has worked extensively with families in transition. She is a frequent lecturer on all issues related to separation/divorce and collaborative co-parenting.