FYIfamilies courses are co-authored by,

Dr. Debbie Swayman, DMFT, LMFT and Karen Kaplan, MS, MS.Ed., LMFT.

We are therapists and educators and bring to each of our courses the knowledge and expertise that is necessary to provide you with reliable information that is presented in an enjoyable format designed to help you retain what you have learned.

Proactive Parenting and Divorce^©, the flagship course, meets or exceeds all the standards and criteria necessary as a Nationally Recognized Co-Parenting class and has been approved by the Florida DCF/Court System as a required Parent Education and Family Stabilization class.

We also have additional courses available to our readers that are known as FYIguides, which are designed to provide useful hands-on solutions, check lists and tools valuable for today’s families. Topics are based on comments and questions we receive from clients and community members who are experiencing difficulty in their own lives, or the lives of their family members, and we invite you to share a suggestion or two!

As co-directors of Family Therapy Associates, a private practice located in Coral Springs, Florida, we specialize in relationship, divorce, co-parenting and blended family issues. While the focus is on the relationship, problems that often make the situation more difficult, such as illness, grief, loss, care-giving, adolescent issues are also addressed. familytherapyassociates.org

Karen Kaplan, MS, MS.Ed, LMFT- Karen holds a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelors Degree in Education from Boston University and a Masters in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has authored additional courses on the subject of aging,care-giving and long term care.

Karen Kaplan is known for her engaging style and her warm sense of humor, which clients say makes them feel at ease and comfortable. She is experienced with the dynamics involved in new relationships, couples, parenting, co-parenting, “in-law” relationships, infidelity, divorce, as well as issues that are often underlying the conflict, including personal direction and career development.

While her focus is working with clients to find solutions and not place blame, her goal is to help clients find ways to shift from their problem-causing pattern to a more preferable, rewarding and peaceful interaction.

Dr. Debbie Swayman, DMFT, LMFT- Debbie holds a Masters Degree and a Doctorate Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from State University of New York College at Buffalo, and a Masters Degree in Speech/Language Pathology. In addition she is on the adjunct faculty for graduate studies in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Nova Southeastern University, and is also a clinical member and approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Debbie Swayman is known for her gentle, yet direct approach, which clients report is effective and soothing. She is experienced with the dynamics of working with individuals, couples and families, including people facing divorce, co-parenting and blended family adjustments. Her areas of interest and expertise include families coping with children with special needs, adolescent angst, and issues resulting from chronic pain and illness, as well as family members who are dealing with grief and loss. Her successful approach is caring and nonjudgmental, which clients say makes them feel safe to explore their problems.

Karen and Debbie are also co-authors of a well-known local column “Family Matters”.