I offer several types of treatment which judges may require in high-conflict family court cases. Emphasis will always be on finding compassionate, balanced, and outcome driven solutions that meet the needs of everyone in the family, whenever possible. Some of the services provided include:
| THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION |
| Therapeutic Interventions cover a range of services, which may vary from reunification, co-parenting counseling, individual counseling or family counseling. The judge might identify specific therapeutic referral issues, including but not limited to relocation, estrangement, child maltreatment and parental substance abuse. Unlike traditional therapy, confidentiality is very limited in Court appointed treatment cases. The Provider completing a Therapeutic Intervention will submit a minimum of one report to the Court and may submit additional reports at the request of the Court. |
| LIMITED FAMILY ASSESSMENT |
| A limited family assessment (LFA) is designed to be focused and narrow in scope. Typically, there will be limited interviews and observations with parents and their children; less than a comprehensive Legal Decision Making evaluation. The evaluator will review select paperwork, have fewer external interviews (teacher, babysitter, etc.) and no psychological testing or home visits are completed. Examples of situations when the Court will order an LFA include: the appropriate parenting plan when the Court has already made a finding of child abuse, a finding of substance abuse, or estranged from a parent (or in a paternity case when the father has not had contact) and there is a (re)unification plan desired by the court; changes since the last comprehensive evaluation that may require a modification in the parenting plan; and the type of access best for a young child when there is a long-distance between the parents, but both parents are considered fit. Reports are submitted directly to the Court and attorneys, if represented, or the parties if they are representing themselves, unless the evaluator asserts extraordinary circumstances (imminent life threat, potential for serious harm to a person related to the case). The report that is generated focuses on specific, defined areas. |
| FORENSIC HOME STUDY |
| There are two types of forensic home studies: (1) brief home visit and (2) extended clinical home study; either type can be stand-alone or augment a Legal Decision Making evaluation. The brief home visit is short, generally an hour or less, with the evaluator reviewing the living conditions in the home that the parent claims to have for the children, to ensure the neighborhood, living arrangements, and supplies (food, furniture, etc.) are adequate. In addition to the data gathered in the brief home visit, the extended clinical home study includes observations and interviews of the various family members and often can last between 3-6 hours. Clinical interviews are conducted with any of the individuals in the household, including the children individually or in tandem with others. The family must stay home during the entire home study. A report is generated from each type of Home Study and supplied to the Court and attorneys for the parties or directly to the parties if they are representing themselves. |
| SUPERVISED PARENTING TIME |
| When there is a concern for the safety of welfare of a child during visits with a noncustodial parent, the court may order that the visits be supervised by a behavioral health professional. When this occurs, the Provider observes the activities and overhears the conversation of the parent and child(ren) at all times. A periodic progress report is prepared for the Court. |