Child Custody Mediation
Confidential and non-confidential mediation services are available. This service may be highly beneficial for divorcing parents in that they can be proactive in designing a workable and appropriate plan for their post-divorce relationship and for co-parenting their children. An emphasis is placed on what would be in the best interests of the children.
Co-Parenting Counseling
Coparenting services can be customized to the specific needs of parents or can be offered in the structure of the Shared Parenting Support Program SPSP©, designed by Frank Leek, Ph.D. The focus of this service is to assist separated or divorced parents in moving beyond the adversarial process and to focus on the needs of their children without being adversely influenced by the residual conflict of the divorce and court process. An informative workbook is provided to both parents.
Reunification Therapy
Reunification therapy is often beneficial when an assessment is needed regarding a parent-child relationship, in cases where a parent may have been absent for an extended period of time or there is a history of some form of abuse the child has witnessed or experienced. The structured reunification process can assess the potential for reunification, as well as assist in improving parent-child contact in a safe environment.
Often it is beneficial for both the parents and child to have their own individual therapist as they proceed through this difficult process. The parent benefits with individual therapy in that the focus of the therapy is on how to support the child in what the child may say or feel. The child benefits with individual therapy in that they can have a supportive environment in which to process issues that may arise from the reunification process.
The reunification therapist may consult with the child's therapist throughout the process in order to appropriately address the child needs. The custodial parent is kept apprised of how the sessions are progressing in order for that parent to support the visiting child. The reunification therapist cannot also be the individual therapist for the clients. Preparation materials for reunification are provided to both parents. A report is often required by the court or is requested by a client.
Typical Session Protocol:
- Intake session(s) with the parent seeking reunification – 1-4 hours
- Intake session(s) with the custodial parent – 1-4 hours
- Intake sessions (1 hour) with the child or children in preparation for the joint reunification sessions: 2-4 sessions
- Reunification sessions with parent and child (1 hour) - 4-6 sessions or more
Psychotherapy/Counseling
Individual, couple, family, child or adolescent therapy is offered for a variety of relationship issues from premarital counseling to physical and sexual abuse issues. Services for children are offered from ages 12 to 18. Parent Coaching and Preparation for Participation in Child Custody Mediation or Custody Evaluation
Child Custody Evaluations (EC 3111/3110)
Child custody evaluations are often ordered by the court for the purpose of gathering detailed forensic information in cases where the parents cannot successfully negotiate issues related to the custody and welfare of their children. This information is evaluated and submitted to the court in the form of developmentally appropriate recommendations related to the best interests of the children.
Therapeutic Supervised Visitation
Therapeutic supervised visitation is a structured, proactive process that directly addresses the conditions that led to the referral. Therapeutic supervision involves the completion of therapeutic goals between parents and children, assisted by a trained licensed therapist. These goals include the healing of past trauma, the communication of feelings, improving the parent's response to the needs of the child, and the development of appropriate parenting skills. The visits can include a combination of therapeutic focus as well as monitored play-time for the visiting parent and child. State standards and generally accepted professional guidelines for therapeutic supervised visitation are employed.
Services Protocol:
- Individual Intake session with visiting parent - 1 hour
- Individual Intake session with custodial parent - 1 hour
- Individual intake sessions (1-2) with the child or children - 1 hour each. The child completes individual sessions with the therapist in order to understand the process, the therapist's role, to be aware of his/her rights, and to prepare for sessions with their parent.
- Final preparation with the child for individual sessions with the visiting parent - 1 hour
- Therapeutic supervised visitation begins - The sessions continue until the court orders other visitation arrangements.
It is often advisable for all parties to have an individual therapist, other than the Therapeutic Supervisor, to assist in addressing therapeutic issues pre- and post-visits. Reports are written at the request of either parent or the court, and may include general opinions, observations and recommendations.