Separation is one of life’s most emotionally charged transitions—yet it follows predictable behavioural and psychological stages. In The Separation Shift, lawyer and parental co-ordinator Tracey McMillan reveals how understanding these emotional “maps” transforms conflict into cooperation. Drawing on her Blueprints and Relationship Circle frameworks, Tracey guides professionals and parents to decode and de-escalate the emotional language people speak during separation, helping them move from defensiveness to clarity and calm.

Attendees will gain practical, research-informed tools to help clients recognise emotional triggers before escalation and apply conversation techniques that reduce hostility and rebuild trust. With post-separation conflict rising globally and increased cost of Court litigation, the session offers timely, evidence-based frameworks that implement basic understanding of humans emotional needs during separation to assist with formalise the separation process more efficiently and with less hostility.
The session’s goal is to provide professionals and parents with practical tools that can be implemented to shift their mindset from a battle ready to understanding and future focused — creating healthier, more cooperative co-parenting relationships that protect children’s emotional well-being. Short case vignettes illustrate the Relation Circle frameworks, supported by a practical demonstration of the Blueprints regulation to enhance understanding and discussion.