Our Mission
We guide individuals and couples through the complexities of divorce with strategic, compassionate support — helping them navigate transitions smoothly and cost-effectively so they can focus on what matters most.
Our Vision
To transform society’s approach to divorce by normalizing the power of a dedicated divorce support network, where individuals can embrace change, heal, and build fulfilling, meaningful lives during and after their divorce journey.
Resilient Divorce Pathways was created out of a simple truth: divorce doesn’t have to mean chaos and court battles.
Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand how high conflict can take a heavy toll on families. The wrong path through divorce is painful, costly, and overwhelming — and far too often, children end up caught in the middle. We knew there had to be a better way. That’s why Resilient Divorce Pathways was founded.
Our mission at Resilient Divorce Pathways is to guide families to make thoughtful choices from the get go. We help you create a clear, intentional path forward, minimizing conflict and safeguarding what matters most – your children, peace of mind, and future.
At the heart of our work is the belief that divorce is only a chapter, not the whole story. With the right support, families can turn the page toward a future that is brighter, steadier, and truly their own.
Let’s write your next chapter together and create a future you feel good about.
Why Work With Us?
Choosing the right support during divorce can make all the difference. At Resilient Divorce Pathway, we bring a unique blend of experience, strategy, and compassion to help you move forward with confidence.
What Sets Us Apart?
- A Therapist’s Insight + a Coach’s Strategy – rooted in the combined strengths of our teams’ professional backgrounds in Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, and Social Work as well as our goal-oriented, strategic approach
- Child-Centered Focus – we keep your children’s well-being at the heart of our work
- Minimizing Conflict & Court Costs – guiding you toward cooperative, intentional choices that reduce stress and expense
- Resilience Framework – building adaptability, identity, and connection so you can move forward confidently in your divorce journey
- Calm in the Storm – clients benefit from a warm, steady, clear, and practical approach when life feels overwhelming
Don’t wait for conflict to take over. Book your free, confidential consultation now and start building the future you and your family deserve.
Meet our founder, Nikki Mingledorff.
Hi, I’m Nikki Mingledorff! For decades, I’ve guided families through life’s toughest transitions, and for the past eight years I’ve specialized in the complex dynamics of divorce, parenting, and co-parenting.
People often ask me how I came to specialize in divorce, and the simple answer is that divorce work wasn’t something I sought out — it chose me. Throughout my professional career, I’ve been drawn to parenting work and helping people live as their authentic selves. Time and time again, I found that the moments parents needed the most guidance were during divorce, especially when it came to co-parenting. That’s where I realized my skills made the greatest impact, so I decided to lean in fully to this work.
At home in New Orleans, I’m a wife of 22 years, mom to three growing boys, and a firm believer in the power of community, creativity, and shared meals. I’m also a consummate traveler, voracious reader, and an endless explorer. A lover of culture, food, tea, and music, I believe play and trying new things keep us young at heart.
Every story is unique — I’d love to learn yours! Let’s connect for a free consultation and map out your next steps together.
Nikki began her professional training studying Psychology and English at Tulane University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2000. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego in 2004.
Her post-graduate training is extensive and includes certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as specialized training in Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), Play Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She is also a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, a CDC Certified Amicable and Holistic Divorce Coach®, and is a trained Family and Divorce Mediator, who specializes in Co-Parenting Mediation. Over the years, she has continued to deepen her expertise in family systems, communication, conflict resolution, and resilience-building approaches.
Nikki’s early career included roles as a domestic violence counselor, substance abuse counselor, and mental health professional in rehabilitation facilities.
Today, Nikki blends her clinical background with her coaching and mediation expertise. She currently serves as Program Director at Family Mediation & Divorce Center in New Orleans. She also founded Learning Through Play, an organization dedicated to family, parent, marital, child, and Montessori enrichment programs, before establishing Resilient Divorce Pathways, where she focuses on child-centered, cost-effective, and cooperative approaches to divorce and co-parenting.
Through these roles, Nikki has guided countless families through challenges such as divorce, co-parenting, and other major life transitions. Her career reflects her passion for creating supportive, practical, and compassionate spaces where families can heal, adapt, and thrive.
Nikki’s commitment to family well-being extends beyond her clients. Since 2022, many New Orleanians have gotten to know her through her Raising Louisiana articles in ANTIGRAVITY, the city’s leading alternative monthly magazine.
At the heart of Nikki’s coaching philosophy is a simple belief: every person is the hero or heroine of their own story. Coaching is not about “fixing” someone — it’s about creating a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore who they are, uncover limiting beliefs, and discover the path to the life they truly want.
Nikki blends the insight of a therapist with the forward focus of a coach, giving parents both emotional grounding and the practical strategies needed to move through divorce with confidence and peace of mind. Her clients describe her as “the calm in the storm and the strategy in the chaos.” She’s someone who sees the bigger picture, and helps you cut through the noise so you can gain clarity.
Her approach blends empathy with strategy, helping clients not only reflect but also take clear, actionable steps forward. Whether navigating divorce, co-parenting, or personal growth, Nikki’s goal is to equip her clients with clarity, confidence, and resilience.
Nikki’s areas of expertise include:
- Divorce Coaching & Mediation: Guiding clients through amicable divorce, holistic divorce, and cooperative mediation processes.
- Assessments: Helping clients understand their strengths and traits to set clear, strategic goals.
- Personal Development: Building self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
- Goal Setting & Productivity: Creating meaningful goals and strategies supported by motivation, time management, and problem-solving techniques.
- Stress & Transition Management: Developing resilience and adaptability during life changes.
- Parenting & Co-Parenting: Encouraging healthy attachment, positive parenting practices, and cooperative co-parenting for the benefit of children.
- Communication & Conflict Resolution: Teaching constructive communication and problem-solving to strengthen relationships.
Theoretical Approaches & Influences
Nikki’s approach draws from a diverse blend of systems-based, trauma-informed, and divorce-centric training that allows her to address both the emotional complexity and the practical realities of family transitions.
At the heart of Nikki’s work is her training in family systems approaches, which emphasize the importance of relationships, patterns, and context in shaping how individuals and families function. She integrates insights from several key therapeutic models:
- Cognitive Behavioral Practices: Helps clients recognize and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, empowering them to respond to challenges with clarity and resilience.
- Narrative Story Reframing: Encourages clients to “rewrite” their story by separating themselves from problems and creating new, more empowering narratives about their lives.
- Emotion-Focused Approach: Brings awareness to emotions as guides for healing, helping clients process and transform feelings into healthier relational connections.
- Solution-Focused Work: Concentrates on identifying strengths and small, achievable steps forward, keeping the focus on solutions rather than problems.
- Salvador Minuchin’s Structural Family Systems Model: Focuses on family boundaries, roles, and hierarchies, guiding families toward healthier and more balanced structures.
- Virginia Satir’s Human Validation Process: Brings warmth and authenticity to family interactions, emphasizing communication, self-esteem, and the importance of connection.
This systems lens allows Nikki to understand not only the individual, but also the larger relational dynamics that play a crucial role in divorce, co-parenting, and family restructuring.
Additionally, her background in Play Therapy and Child Parent Relationship Training adds a unique dimension to her divorce work, as she equips parents with tools to foster stronger connections with their children — especially important when children are navigating the stress of family changes.
Lastly, with specialized training in EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT, Nikki integrates trauma-informed practices into her divorce work to help clients resolve conflicts, heal emotional wounds, and build resilience.
Together, these approaches naturally extend into her specialization in Amicable and Holistic Divorce Coaching and Divorce & Co-Parenting Mediation, giving Nikki a holistic lens for working with clients — one that addresses not just individual concerns, but also the larger relational systems in which they live.
Let’s Connect!
Nikki is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and works with clients both locally and virtually. To learn more or to schedule a free discovery session, click the button below to get started.
Let’s embark on this transformative journey together — I’m here to support you in achieving the life you envision!
Meet the Team
Annie Goldman, LPC
My personal and professional qualifications prepared me well for assisting families during their divorce journey. As a lawyer, I practiced family law, with a focus on custody resolution. I was nicknamed “The Closer” in my office because of my efficiency. There is no need for this difficult time in your life to drag on indefinitely!
I earned my Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019. I love working with kids and families and am adept at recognizing and helping people see strengths they didn’t know they had.
My instinct is to always look for the silver lining, and the win-win. I find reasons to be open to new, more positive ways of seeing and being. I am passionate about helping families heal and thrive. Divorce and family stress can make it difficult to parent the way we want to. My approach is relational, solution-focused, and grounded in family systems, helping families reconnect with what matters most — raising children who feel loved, secure, and supported in reaching their full potential.
Both legal and counseling professions require advocacy, professionalism, passion, and creativity. I bring these qualities to the work that I do, and I love it!
Lisa Lebon, LCSW-BACS
I am a trained mediator in the state of Louisiana and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in helping people navigate and recover from high-conflict relationships. I have been in private practice since 2018, supporting individuals and families through difficult transitions with a focus on clarity, communication, and reducing unnecessary conflict.
Before becoming a therapist and mediator, I spent 20 years teaching middle and high school English. That experience turned out to be excellent preparation for working with strong personalities, heightened emotions, and difficult conversations — often all at once. I’m a New Orleans native, a graduate of LSU, and the parent of two adult children, which gives me both professional training and real-world perspective on family dynamics over time.
My approach is warm, structured, and practical. I work with people who want to move through divorce with as much dignity and stability as possible and who are committed to creating a more productive co-parenting relationship moving forward. You don’t have to agree on everything to be successful — you just need a willingness to engage in the process with intention and respect.
Christy Waters, MSW
I’ve been a social worker in the New Orleans area for more than 30 years, since earning my Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University in 1989. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked as a therapist, program director, mental health specialist, probation officer, and supervisory probation officer.
Throughout my 25 years with the U.S. Probation Office, I monitored offenders, oversaw probation officers and their caseloads, taught cognitive-behavioral and social skills classes, and coordinated treatment services. I also met with attorneys and testified in federal and state courts.
I’ve also worked with adolescents and families in therapy settings and, through the Family Mediation & Divorce Center, provided and coordinated supervised visitation and exchanges, helping families navigate complex emotional and legal transitions.
My professional experience gave me firsthand insight into the emotional toll, pressure, and unpredictability of the courtroom environment — especially for individuals unaccustomed to being in that setting. As a Court Coping Skills Coach, I help clients prepare emotionally and practically for the unique challenges of court, especially when they must testify on the stand. My goal is to help clients remain calm, focused, and confident so they can present their best selves when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be courageous. Challenge orthodoxy. Stand up for what you believe in.When you are in your rocking chair talking to your grandchildren many years from now, be sure you have a good story to tell.
— Amal Clooney
Nikki’s coaching philosophy is built on the belief that everyone possesses the inner strength and ability to create positive change in their lives. She firmly believes that we are the hero or heroine of our own story, and adversities, while challenging, are also opportunities for growth. It allows us to learn invaluable life lessons that can shape our character, and force us to learn perseverance. Nikki believes coaching needs to be a safe, non-judgmental space that allows people to feel supported along their journey towards resilience. Through coaching, she works side-by-side with clients to explore who they are and what motivates them to better narrow down goals, identify limiting beliefs, and develop actionable strategies to move forward.
Nikki began her professional training studying Psychology, Sociology, and English at Tulane University. After she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Tulane, she completed her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego in 2004.
Nikki’s career path includes roles as a domestic violence counselor, substance abuse counselor, and mental health professional within rehabilitation facilities. She later pivoted her professional practice to focus on coaching, consultation, and psycho-education through her work at Family Mediation & Divorce Center and Learning Through Play. In this capacity, her work centers around parenting, co-parenting, life skills and transition work. From her diverse professional experiences, Nikki recognized the value of specializing in assisting clients simultaneously facing multiple challenges and transitions. To address these gaps in services, she founded Resilient Living.
Nikki is proud to be married to Jason Mingledorff, a well-respected musician and music professor at Loyola University, for almost twenty years. They have lived in New Orleans for over 25 years, and together, they are raising their three sons (ages 15, 12, and 9) along with their fur babies, a cute yorkipoo, and four cats in their home by the Mississippi River. Nikki is a consummate traveler, voracious reader, and lover of all things culture, food and music. She firmly believes play and trying new things keeps us all young at heart, and enjoys regular adventures with her friends and family.
Nikki’s Specialties are:
Knowledge of your traits, strengths and weaknesses are essential for strategic goals.
Enhancing self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-confidence promotes growth.
Setting meaningful goals in various areas of life is best achieved when work the work is done strategically.
Goals cannot be achieved without motivation, time management, habit formation, focus, and problem-solving techniques.
Developing effective and healthy coping skills is essential for a resilient, balanced life.
Adaptability helps build resilience. It allows individuals and families to adjust well and find solutions in the face of changing circumstances
Positive parenting practices encourages healthy connection and attachment.
Forging a strong and motivated co-parenting relationship prioritizes the best interests of the children, promotes healthy development, and encourages a supportive home environment.
Constructive communication and problem-solving skills are vital in healthy relationships.
Meet Nikki Mingledorff
- Founder & Managing Director, Resilient Living & Learning Through Play
- Transformational-Transition Life Coach
- Relationship Coach
- Life Strategist
- Psychoeducational Educator
Nikki Mingledorff is the Owner and Managing Director of Resilient Living and Learning Through Play. She is also the Program Director of the Family Mediation & Divorce Center. She is a Transformational-Transition Life Coach, Relationship Coach, Life Strategist and Educator who is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families live their best lives. Her mission is to empower and inspire her clients to unlock their full potential, overcome obstacles, and realize their aspirations, enabling them to pursue a life that is authentic, purposeful, and resilient.
If you are ready to embark on your own transformative journey, and feel like Nikki might be a good fit to help guide you along this path, reach out today!
Nikki provides:
- Transformational Life-Transition Coaching
- Parenting Transition Coaching
- Confident Coparenting Coaching
- Family Transition Coaching
- Marriage Transition Coaching
- Communication & Conflict Resolution Coaching
- Court Coping Skills Coaching
Nikki has extensive training in:
Systems Therapy: Nikki employs techniques stemming from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, & Strategic Therapy in her coaching businesses. She is also very influenced by Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, Bowenian Family Systems approach, and Virginia Satir’s Human Validation Process model.
Play Therapy: Nikki is particularly focused on educating parents on Gary Landreth’s Child Parent Relationship Therapy treatment program through her work with Learning Through Play.
Trauma-Focused Modalities: Nikki is EMDR certified, and has extensive training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Nikki’s coaching philosophy is built on the belief that everyone possesses the inner strength and ability to create positive change in their lives. She firmly believes that we are the hero or heroine of our own story, and adversities, while challenging, are also opportunities for growth. It allows us to learn invaluable life lessons that can shape our character, and force us to learn perseverance. Nikki believes coaching needs to be a safe, non-judgmental space that allows people to feel supported along their journey towards resilience. Through coaching, she works side-by-side with clients to explore who they are and what motivates them to better narrow down goals, identify limiting beliefs, and develop actionable strategies to move forward.
Nikki began her professional training studying Psychology, Sociology, and English at Tulane University. After she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Tulane, she completed her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego in 2004.
Nikki’s career path includes roles as a domestic violence counselor, substance abuse counselor, and mental health professional within rehabilitation facilities. She later pivoted her professional practice to focus on coaching, consultation, and psycho-education through her work at Family Mediation & Divorce Center and Learning Through Play. In this capacity, her work centers around parenting, co-parenting, life skills and transition work. From her diverse professional experiences, Nikki recognized the value of specializing in assisting clients simultaneously facing multiple challenges and transitions. To address these gaps in services, she founded Resilient Living.
Nikki is proud to be married to Jason Mingledorff, a well-respected musician and music professor at Loyola University, for almost twenty years. They have lived in New Orleans for over 25 years, and together, they are raising their three sons (ages 15, 12, and 9) along with their fur babies, a cute yorkipoo, and four cats in their home by the Mississippi River. Nikki is a consummate traveler, voracious reader, and lover of all things culture, food and music. She firmly believes play and trying new things keeps us all young at heart, and enjoys regular adventures with her friends and family.
Nikki’s Specialties are:
Knowledge of your traits, strengths and weaknesses are essential for strategic goals.
Enhancing self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-confidence promotes growth.
Setting meaningful goals in various areas of life is best achieved when work the work is done strategically.
Goals cannot be achieved without motivation, time management, habit formation, focus, and problem-solving techniques.
Developing effective and healthy coping skills is essential for a resilient, balanced life.
Adaptability helps build resilience. It allows individuals and families to adjust well and find solutions in the face of changing circumstances
Positive parenting practices encourages healthy connection and attachment.
Forging a strong and motivated co-parenting relationship prioritizes the best interests of the children, promotes healthy development, and encourages a supportive home environment.
Constructive communication and problem-solving skills are vital in healthy relationships.
Meet our founder, Nikki Mingledorff.
Hi, I’m Nikki Mingledorff — a certified divorce coach, family & divorce mediator, and parenting educator with a foundation in Marriage and Family Therapy. For decades, I’ve guided families through life’s toughest transitions, and for the past seven years I’ve specialized in the complex dynamics of divorce, parenting, and co-parenting.
People often ask me how I came to specialize in divorce, and the simple answer is that divorce work wasn’t something I sought out — it chose me. I’ve always been drawn to parenting work and helping people live as their authentic selves, but time and time again, I found that the moments parents needed the most guidance were during divorce, especially when it came to co-parenting. That’s where I realized my skills made the greatest impact, so I decided to lean in fully to this work.
At home in New Orleans, I’m a wife of 21 years, mom to three growing boys, and a firm believer in the power of community, creativity, and shared meals. I’m also a consummate traveler, voracious reader, endless explorer, and lover of culture, food, tea, and music. I believe play and trying new things keeps us young at heart, and I make time regularly for adventures with friends and family.
Every story is unique — I’d love to learn yours. Let’s connect for a free consultation and map out your next steps together.
Nikki Mingledorff is the Owner and Managing Director of Resilient Living and Learning Through Play. She is also the Program Director of the Family Mediation & Divorce Center. She is a Transformational-Transition Life Coach, Relationship Coach, Life Strategist and Educator who is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families live their best lives. Her mission is to empower and inspire her clients to unlock their full potential, overcome obstacles, and realize their aspirations, enabling them to pursue a life that is authentic, purposeful, and resilient.
If you are ready to embark on your own transformative journey, and feel like Nikki might be a good fit to help guide you along this path, reach out today!
Nikki provides:
- Transformational Life-Transition Coaching
- Parenting Transition Coaching
- Confident Coparenting Coaching
- Family Transition Coaching
- Marriage Transition Coaching
- Communication & Conflict Resolution Coaching
- Court Coping Skills Coaching
Nikki has extensive training in:
Systems Therapy: Nikki employs techniques stemming from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, & Strategic Therapy in her coaching businesses. She is also very influenced by Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, Bowenian Family Systems approach, and Virginia Satir’s Human Validation Process model.
Play Therapy: Nikki is particularly focused on educating parents on Gary Landreth’s Child Parent Relationship Therapy treatment program through her work with Learning Through Play.
Trauma-Focused Modalities: Nikki is EMDR certified, and has extensive training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Meet the Team
It is a long established fact that a reader will be
distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using ‘Content here, content here’, making it look like readable English. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for ‘lorem ipsum’ will uncover many web sites still in their infancy. Various versions have evolved over the years, sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose (injected humour and the like)
