The Difference Between Therapeutic Supervised Visitations & Reunification Therapy

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