The Difference Between TherapeuticSupervised Visitations & Reunification Therapy
In high-conflict divorces in which DCF or the state become involved, there is sometimes the possibility that the children could become distant from one or both parents. Once the case plan or allegations are resolved, the parents will then need to be reintroduced into the children’s live in a therapeutic, consistent, and safe manner. In these situations it is very important to know which intervention is needed as well as it’s purpose and goal. A “one size fits all” plan doesn’t is not always the best.
Below are brief descriptions of the two main interventions that are commonly used to assist in maintaining a bond or relationship between an estranged parent and child. If you have any questions about either intervention, feel free to call our office for further details! 561-429-2140
Reunification Therapy
The main goal of reunification therapy is to reintroduce a parent (or parents) back into a child’s life in a safe, controlled, and therapeutic manner. The process of reunification therapy can be a very long one, but it designed to ensure a safe environment for the children and parents involved to create a new and secure bond with one another under the close supervision of a clinician. The most important idea of reunification therapy is the long-term goal of reconnecting the parent and child for a long-lasting bond. Generic Ambien http://www.024pharma.com/ambien.html
The process begins with choosing a clinician who is qualified and knowledgable in the family law and mental health field. Once a clinician is chosen any court orders, parenting plans, settlements, court motions, DCF or child welfare documentations, any police reports, prior psychological evaluations or mental health records, as well as common information for all individuals and children involved must be reviewed by the clinician. This will ensure that the clinician is aware of the entire situation to better create a safe and unique treatment plan for the family.
The next step in the process is to meet with each parent and child separately. After meeting with both parents, the clinician must then work with the custodial parent to guide them towards allowing the participation and involvement of the alienated parent in the reunification process. This stage typically involves multiple sessions to gather information and therapeutic sessions as well as parenting education for the alienating parent to become aware of the benefits of having both parents involved in the children’s lives.
Therapeutic Supervised Visitations
The purpose of supervised visitations is to enable an ongoing relationship between the non-custodial parent and child by impartially observing their contact in a safe and structure environment. Another purpose of supervised visitations is to allow a safe and educational learning experience for the non-custodial parent. Therapeutic supervised visitation programs,are able to intervene and correct the behavior, therefore teaching the parent appropriate parenting skills by using a mental health professional. Although therapeutic supervised visitations can be a part of Reunification Therapy, they should not be used in place of it. Therapeutic supervised visitations, unlike reunification therapy, does not assist in the long term goal of achieving a healthy relationship between the non-custodial parent and the child. Supervised visitations is normally a short-term practice.
Normally high-conflict families who are at risk for domestic violence, physical or verbal abuse, and parents with a history of very poor parenting skills require the use of therapeutic supervised visitation programs. Those who have previous allegations of sexual abuse, who have threatened to abscond with the child, or who have a history of severe parental alienation or restrictive gatekeeping are also generally good candidates for therapeutically supervised visitation.
Typically the clinicians who monitor visitors should be forensically trained mental health professionals who follow strict guidelines and are comfortable offering guidance to the court, based on their observations. By having mental health professionals supervise visitations, they will be able to assist in identifying and attempting to correct any issues that may prevent the parent from having a healthy and productive relationship with their child. Better sex with Nizagara http://valleyofthesunpharmacy.com/nizagara/
Conclusion
Overall, it is very important to fully understand the needs of your family and case before making an informed decision as to whether reunification therapy or therapeutic supervised visitations are best. As noted above, therapeutic supervised visitations are best utilized for parents who are in need of parenting skills training or for a short-term solution for a non-custodial parent to keep in contact with their child. As for reunification therapy, the goals are for a long-term solution for parents who are being “reunified” with their children. Typically, reunification occurs under the supervision of a clinician who will build a unique treatment plan for the family’s specific needs.
If you have any questions regarding either intervention, give us a call today for a consultation: 561-429-2140
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If my daughter has to do therapeutic visits can i sit in with the therapist since my daughter is only 7?If sge does not want to go inside does she have to if its a court order?
No.
I'm going through custody battle for my eight year old son and it was left for the recommendation of a therapist with the goal of working toward standard visits to bring me my son back into each other's lives and she's saying that that is not what she supposed to do her job is not to reunify Tristan and I please help me I don't know where to go from here I need help and I don't know what the next step is
I am sorry to hear your case and your relationship with your son seems to be in limbo right now. In order to answer your questions properly, I would need to have a bit more information about your situation, as well as the specifics that are outlined in your court order. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss the specifics of your case in more detail. If you also let me know which state you are writing from, that would help as well, as each state has different standards and laws that need to be taken into consideration.
I am the custodial parent of our child (11) and his father has court ordered therapeutic visitation due to physical abuse and numerous reports to child protective services, some which have been "indicated." I have taken my child to see the therapist without his father. We recently started so in light of what's happened the therapist explained the non-custodial parent does not get involved in sessions immediately. If my son does not want to speak to this therapist or anyone else he needs to see due to the abuse endured, is he obligated, or am I obligated to force him to speak or meet with anyone if this is court ordered? He is very afraid of his father and does not want to see him or even speak with him. Due to an order of protection, his father cannot contact us in any way.
Also, my son is very much on edge and certain things trigger his fear of his father. What do you think will happen in this situation with court? I am also seeking sole legal custody (modification due to the abuse and OP, child protective services' involvement, etc).
thank you
I've had court ordered therapeutic visitation after guardianship was granted to preantral aunt and uncle but have not had a session because within that first month trying to set it up a case against the father opened (duress rape and a lot more) but I decided to stay out of seeing my kids so it wouldn't possibly be something I said or wanting to be with me in a trail I already knew would happen, and it did so I know I had done the right thing, before guardianship went into place they were with the dad he had full custody and I had therapeutic visits that I never started because of the cost and I was not in a stable place however we all went to court and next is sentencing not he's guilty so there's no need to wait but how do I explain this and ask the courts to change my order to start over still with a therapeutic visit but a new order I know we need it
This month, my husband and I will appear in court to finalize divorce. A self-professed sex addict, my husband is asking for "reunification therapy" with our son. Our son made a formal outcry of sexual abuse by his father last March. CPS ruled "Reason to Believe." There is an open criminal investigation. I don't understand how reunifying with a goal of establishing trust is a healthy solution. Could you please direct me to some resources that help me protect my child?
Going through the same exact thing now. Mediator was not a mediator and already had in his head what we needed to do before even knowing the situation. In our case, 1 of the 2 boys concerned is already in therapy and the mediator told us his therapist existing therapist had to over see it and that I (stepmom) should supervise additional visits with biomom. I go to speak to his therapist and not only does she not have the correct certification to be able to supervise that but since she’s already his therapist, her supervising or working with biomom in any way is a conflict of interest that can only lead to more harm than good-as they put it- and create a breeding ground for possible HIPPA violations. I would say start calling around to any therapist offices in the area asking if they have a reunification counselor.
Hi my names Dennice and I live in Ithaca New York. Well i Slept with someone that was married.Me Of course didn’t now he was married well I find out I was pregnant and he told me to get Abortion. But I Decided to keep my child. He moved back to his home town. I gave birth to my Diva and he never reached out. But I did because I wanted to no if there was going Challenges besides fighting for her life we have face ahead. I gave birth to my child at Three months early. She stayed in the nick you for 2 1/2 months then they made us come back to Thompson county if she stayed in the hospital for two more months.Still no word until. How he wants to be in her life.
please help, I am in california and my 27 year old autistic son was conserved without due process, neither my daughters or I had notice of hearing, and my former spouse gained limited conservatorship over my son in a 10 minute court hearing.
For 10 years I have been illegally denied visitation and now I have been told ii have to pay for supervised therapuetic visitaion, no longer legal in california. Now through undue influence my son wants only too see me in a therapists officce. The last therapist was a friend of my spouse and very biased and then insists that I also pay for bi weekly visits intended to help me co-parent with my former souse and his present wife supposedly an Autism expert. I was not even able to give my son a hug at the hearing yesterday. Surely this is the wrong therapy for us, what about reunification therapy? my son is very verbal ,now a man and although he has autism , I feel that this therapy is for children. Now it is court ordered and the judge is sick of this but they shouod not have conserved him in the begging . His capacity declaration was done by a colleage of my spouse who is also a physician in town. my heart is totally broken
Should a reunification therapist ever also serve as the supervisor for visitation sessions? I'm concerned this would be an unethical situation of dual relationships and going between reunification therapist and visitation supervisor would be damaging to the therapeutic relationship and children involved.
I am a recovering addict. I have gotten a phased reintegration parenting plan. We are doing supervised visitation, but I don't feel like my children are getting the help they need. I have been out of thier lives for 3 years. Since my leaving I become the boogeyman . My oldest daughter after turning 18 sought me out to get away from stepdad ( my younger 3 father). During the supervised visitation we are not allowed to talk about anything except the present moment t. So they are not getting to talk about how they feel or what they are going through. I fully accept and admit to the emotional trauma my children endured during the last little bit I was home and my suddenly leaving. I never speak about his side but I am talked about and have been for the last few years as a monster. I never abused my children or anything like that. I left because of his infidelity. I don't know what kind of visit to do I just know that they are not in a having environment and just playing ski all isn't going to help prepare my children for the unsupervised visits and overnights that are coming. What can I do as the NCP to help my kids find some healing and understand for the emotions they aren't allowed to express or talk about