There’s a path forward.
Let’s find it together.

Every family I work with is carrying something heavy. But I’ve also seen — over and over again — what becomes possible when parents have the right support at the right time. Agreements get made. Communication improves. Children settle. Families find their footing again.

My services span mediation, co-parenting coaching and education, parenting coordination, and step-parenting support. Whatever stage you’re at — and however complicated things feel right now — there’s likely a way I can help. Browse the services below or reach out and we’ll figure out the best place to start together.

Mediaton

Mediation is one of the most powerful choices a family can make during a difficult transition. Rather than handing your future over to a courtroom, mediation puts you in control — with the guidance of a trained, neutral professional helping you communicate, problem-solve, and reach agreements that actually fit your family’s life.

I’ve been a practicing family mediator for over 20 years. I bring patience, structure, and deep experience to every session — and a genuine commitment to helping both parties walk away feeling heard and respected.

Family transitions take many forms — and not all of them involve divorce. Family mediation creates a structured, neutral space for families to work through conflict, make shared decisions, and build agreements that support everyone involved, including children.

Whether the need is resolving a specific dispute, planning for a major family change, or simply improving how family members communicate during a difficult season — family mediation offers a constructive and dignified way forward.

Divorce doesn’t have to be a battle. Divorce mediation is a collaborative alternative to litigation that allows both partners to reach fair, informed agreements — on finances, property, parenting, and the future — without the cost, conflict, and loss of control that comes with going to court.

I work with both parties to keep communication productive, emotions manageable, and the focus where it belongs: building a foundation you can both move forward from. Many of my clients are surprised by how much is possible when they’re given the right space and support to work things through.

A strong parenting plan isn’t just a document — it’s a roadmap for raising your children well, across two homes. I help parents develop detailed, child-centered parenting plans that address the real logistics of their lives: schedules, holidays, decision-making, transitions, and the unexpected moments that will inevitably come up.

A well-crafted parenting plan reduces conflict before it starts. It gives children consistency and predictability, and it gives parents a shared framework to return to when disagreements arise. This is some of the most meaningful work I do.

Walking into mediation feeling prepared makes all the difference. Pre-mediation coaching gives you the space to clarify your goals, understand what to expect, manage the emotions that come with the process, and think through how to advocate effectively for yourself and your children.

Whether you’re feeling anxious, uncertain, or simply want to make the most of every session, pre-mediation coaching helps you arrive at the table grounded, clear, and ready to engage constructively.

Co-parent coaching is one-on-one support focused on the specific challenges you’re navigating right now. Maybe communication with your co-parent has broken down. Maybe you’re struggling to manage your own reactions during high-conflict moments. Maybe you simply want to show up more consistently and confidently for your kids.

This isn’t therapy — it’s practical, forward-focused, and action-oriented. We work on what matters most to you, build skills you can use right away, and create a plan for the co-parenting relationship you want to have.

When communication between co-parents is strained, everyone feels it — especially children. I help co-parents develop communication approaches that are respectful, consistent, and centered on what matters most: the kids.

Whether you’re working toward direct communication or need to establish clear protocols through a co-parenting app, I’ll help you create patterns that reduce tension, build predictability, and protect your children from the stress of ongoing conflict. This work can happen with one parent or both — whatever your situation calls for.

Understanding what children truly need during family transitions changes everything. My co-parenting education programs are rooted in child development research, family systems theory, and trauma-informed practice — and delivered with warmth, not judgment.

As a longtime facilitator and founding board member at the Kids First Center, I’ve spent years designing and delivering workshops that help parents see their situation through their children’s eyes. I also present for the Maine Divorce Workshop for Women, bringing evidence-based education to parents at every stage of the transition. Education is available through individual sessions, group workshops, or as part of a broader coaching engagement.

Sometimes co-parents need more than occasional support — they need ongoing, structured help navigating the day-to-day reality of co-parenting. Parenting coordination is exactly that.

As a parenting coordinator, I serve as a neutral professional who helps co-parents resolve disputes, implement their parenting plan, and communicate more effectively — without returning to court every time a disagreement arises. This service is particularly valuable in higher-conflict situations, or where communication has broken down and children are caught in the middle. I am listed on the CADRES family court roster in Maine and work collaboratively with attorneys, therapists, and other professionals on your family’s team.

Blending a family is one of the most hopeful things a family can do — and one of the most complex. Step-parenting coaching supports stepparents, biological parents, and couples in building healthy, stable relationships as they navigate the unique dynamics of stepfamily life.

I bring both deep professional knowledge and personal experience to this work. I know firsthand how much the right support can change the trajectory of a stepfamily — and I’ve seen remarkable things happen when everyone in the family gets the tools they need to grow together. Wherever you are in this process, there is a way forward worth working toward.

Co-Parenting

Co-parenting after separation is one of the most challenging — and most important — things parents can do for their children. The good news is that it’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and genuinely improved.

My co-parenting services are practical, compassionate, and grounded in decades of experience working with families at every stage of this journey. I meet you where you are — not where you think you should be.

Your family deserves a way through this.

Separation and divorce are among the hardest things a family goes through. The decisions feel impossible. The emotions are overwhelming. And in the middle of all of it — children are watching, absorbing, and counting on both parents to find a way forward.

Terri DeCoster helps families do exactly that.

As a certified family mediator, professional coach, and divorce educator with over 20 years of experience, Terri specializes in helping Maine families navigate divorce, co-parenting, and family transitions with less conflict and more clarity. Her approach is child-centered, compassionate, and grounded in deep professional expertise — and lived experience.
Whether the goal is reaching a fair agreement through mediation, building stronger co-parenting communication, or understanding what children need through a family transition — Terri is here to help.

Not sure where to start? That’s okay.

Most people who reach out to me don’t have it all figured out yet. They just know something needs to change. If that’s where you are, I’d love to talk. A free consultation is a no-pressure conversation about where you are, what you’re hoping for, and how I might be able to help.

There’s no wrong place to begin.

“It is not the divorce that negatively impacts children — it is the conflict they experience between their parents. This work is about changing that.” — Terri DeCoster, MS, CPC

About Terri DeCoster

Terri DeCoster holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) with specialized training in family mediation, high-conflict co-parenting, and child-centered family transitions. She brings a family systems lens to her work — recognizing that when one family member grows and heals, the whole family benefits.

A longtime facilitator and founding board member at the Kids First Center in Maine, Terri is the recipient of the organization’s Outstanding Service Award. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Maine Association of Mediators, is listed on the CADRES family court roster, and presents for the Maine Divorce Workshop for Women, where she brings a trauma-informed perspective to her teaching.

Terri’s work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience — including her own journey through divorce and family transition. She is committed to reducing divorce stigma and helping families move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace.