El Laboratorio de los Conflictos de la Azienda Sanitaria Locale 3 Genovesa: Un Servicio Público a Sostén de la Parentalidad en la Separación Conyugal

marital separation is a common experience in the lives of many families. it implies the failure of the couple's life plan and an experience of loss that may result in symptomatic behavior and dysfunctional relationship dynamics. these negative consequences, particularly in children, are attributed to conflicts between parents and to their ability to reflect jointly about the impact that their disagreements may have on the emotional state of their children. awareness of the possible effects that conflictive separations may have on the psychological well-being of children has increased requests for family mediation interventions, making it easier for parents to resume their responsibilities as parents. this article describes the practice of an italian family mediation service that works with couples in highly conflictive situations, favoring an approach that requires the couple to re-take a joint mode of management of their children. we outline user profiles with respect to approaching the service, whether or not both agree to do so, and also with respect to the kinds of petitioners and the typology of separation under the italian legislation.