Every family has different dynamics, complexities, and issues that needs to be focused on. For this reason, the reunification therapy process can vary in time from family to family. Typically the time will rely on the level of resistance from the parental parties as well as the children. The time it takes to fully assess each individual involved will also play a large role in the length of the process. Process Background Information Reunification will begin once the clinician has received all necessary paperwork and documentation from both parties. This includes court orders, parenting plans, settlements, court motions, DCF or …

There are very few topics that can spark as much emotion and negative attention as an allegation of child sexual abuse, especially when the accused is the child’s own parent. These accusations are taken very seriously by nearly all responsible adults, often without much thought given to whether or not the claims could have been fabricated by the other parent. It seems almost inconceivable that any parent would go so far as to make up such a terrible thing, which unfortunately creates somewhat of the perfect storm for the handful of very disturbed parents who are willing to stop at nothing to …

Although Judges are trained to be neutral parties in the courtroom and one would assume they are in complete control of their decision-making process, studies have shown that there are several factors (which attorneys can often subtly manipulate) in order to help tip the scales during difficult trials. A large research study in Ireland analyzed the results of 1,112 parole board hearings, as they relate to the time of day in which they occurred. The results were astonishing:  Researchers clearly identified a pattern in which the judges were substantially more likely to rule in favor of the defendants whose cases were heard …

Parental Gatekeeping For parents who are co-parenting after a divorce, parental gatekeeping can become a very serious problem when trying to co-parent and communicate effectively. Parental gatekeeping is a term used to describe a parent’s preferences and attempts to restrict and exclude the other parent from being involved in the child’s development. Gatekeeping attitudes and behaviors can range from very positive, which are facilitative, to very negative, which are inhibitory, or to the most extreme known as Parental Alienation. Statistics Although restrictive gatekeeping usually occurs in divorced families, about 20% of parents in “intact” families are restrictive gatekeepers, 42% of …

The child custody evaluation process should involve a rather systematic method of gathering information, formulating a hypothesis, and rendering opinions pertaining to the best interests of the children involved. Unfortunately, not all psychologists or mental health professionals are properly trained or even qualified to conduct these evaluations, yet they continue to perform them and have the potential to cause more damage than good.   If you believe that the results of your family’s social investigation were unfair, biased, or poorly executed, you may want to consider hiring a second forensic psychologist to complete a “work product review“. The role of this second “rebuttal” psychologist is to take a fine tooth …

In Palm Beach County, Florida, legal costs are on the rise, as are the number of divorces. Today, one of the cheapest and most effective ways parties are getting divorced is thorough family mediation. Once a spouse has filed for divorce, whether they have an attorney or not, they are able to participate in the informal process of mediation in which both parties have the ability to compromise and come to a fair agreement. Mediation is a confidential process in which the mediator works as an impartial and neutral member to empower the parties to make their own decisions and …

If you are a mental health provider, case worker, parent, or attorney with questions regarding our Therapeutic Supervised Visitation Program, please feel free to contact us:                                                                                                561-429-2140 What are Therapeutic Supervised Visitations? Supervised Visitations are typically court-ordered and allow non-custodial parents or guardians to meet with their children in a safe and controlled environment, …

What is Chronic Litigation in Family Law Court? Chronic Litigation in Family Law Court refers to the cases that come back to court over and over again, generally for minor issues that could have very easily been handled without new motions being filed or hearings being scheduled.    These constant cases are characterized by very high levels of conflict, with at least one party having such resentment and anger that they are unwilling to compromise on nearly anything, primarily for the sake of not allowing the other party to feel as if they have gotten their way or “won” something. This leads to an enormous amount of time, energy, and money being spent when everyone is …

Think Kids. The key to co-parenting is to focus on your child. This can be very difficult and it also means that your own emotions towards the divorce or your ex has to come second to the needs of your child. Setting aside such strong feelings may be the hardest part of learning to work cooperatively with your ex. Co-parenting is not about your feelings, or those of your ex, but rather about your child’s happiness, stability, and future well-being. You’re The Parent. Always remember, YOU are the parent and only you  and your ex will know what is best for your …