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 …

Myth: Violent child abuse is a more serious issue than non-violent child abuse While physical abuse and sexual abuse are generally thought of as clear examples of child abuse, it is important to recognize that the effects of neglect, emotional abuse, parental substance abuse, and exposure to domestic violence can be just as damaging. The danger of these kinds of abuse is that they tend to be more difficult to identify due to the absence of physical evidence. Because of this, family members and members of the community may not always be as inclined to pick up the phone and call in an abuse report, despite the …

When dealing with the court system regarding your divorce, child custody, or parenting schedule, there might be quite a few words you may not know. For this reason, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms you should be aware of: Arbitration: Arbitration is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Arbitration does not take place in court or before a Judge, but it has basic similarities to a judicial setting. Instead of arguing issues to a Judge, however, in Arbitration the issues are submitted to a neutral third party, who makes a final decision. In divorce Arbitration, the third party is …

When a child is removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, that child can go through the very difficult process of grief and loss of their birth parents. The feeling of loss or grief aren’t only about their parents, but that of extended family, home, pets, neighborhoods, schools, friends, treasured belongings, and in some cases culture. This is especially true for children who were removed from their home at an older age in which children are more alert and able to realize their situation. In adopted children, it is very important that the adoptive parents understand the process …

There are times in all of our lives when someone close to us suffers emotionally. It could be as a result of depression from the loss of someone close to them, or from a period of long-term unemployment, poor adjustment to divorce or separation or it may even stem from distant events, such as physical or emotional abuse they endured as a child. As much as we may try, as a close friend or family member, we are not usually in the best position to provide what is needed for helping them to deal with these emotions properly. It isn’t the easiest thing …

When going through a divorce, if it has become abundantly clear that you and your ex are not able to come to an agreement regarding post-divorce parenting plans, families can ask the Court to order a child custody evaluation, also referred to as a social investigation, to occur, in order to help the Judge make an informed final decision. Because these evaluations can literally change the outcome of a case, careful consideration must be made prior to agreeing to a forensic psychologist.  Once the order has been signed by the judge, the evaluator cannot be replaced and you are stuck with them, despite concerns that may arise as the investigation is taking place. At our …

Sometimes, the part of the divorce process women find most difficult can often be directly after it is finalized. This is when women often feel frustrated and vulnerable due to role changes, environmental changes, and possibly financial changes. With all these changes occurring at once, women often come in feeling a bit overwhelmed and at times, feel that they are unable to communicate their feelings or requests with their former spouse effectively. For this reason, we are here to help you. Here are some quick tips for mothers after divorce: The key to co-parenting is to focus on your child. …

How our Divorce and Co-Parenting Counselors are Helping Fathers Adjust to New Roles Today, with post-divorce parenting time protocols leaning towards 50/50 custody, many fathers are learning to adjust to single parenthood, with children that are simultaneously going through big adjustments and emotional turmoil. After a divorce, fathers can be left to adjust to new homes, new routines, and new responsibilities now that there are no longer two parents splitting the duties within one home. These changes can clearly cause single dads with increased levels of stress, self doubt, sadness, insecurity, and frustration. To help with this, our counselors are skilled …

In a Press Release made to the public by Palm Beach County’s Sheriff this afternoon, our community learned that the brutal murder of Kimberly Lindsey was committed by her ex-husband, and that he has now killed himself in a Miami Dade residence. With this terrible news hitting so close to home, Dr. Kristin Tolbert, a forensic psychologist and owner of the Psychological Center for Expert Evaluations, Inc., would like to invite anyone who is having difficulty coping with this terrible tragedy to call our practice and schedule an appointment, free of charge, with one of our forensically trained therapists. We are keenly aware that there are many family members, friends, police investigators, co-workers, and neighbors who will likely have a difficult …

Reunification Therapy is a practice that is now becoming more common for families who have experienced a high-conflict divorce or separation. Reunification Therapy can be defined as a kind of therapy used to re-introduce the parents and children to a supportive relationship, under the supervision and therapeutic guidance of a skilled therapist. Typically, the amount of time the process will take relies on the level of resistance from each of the parents, as well as the cooperation of the children. The time it takes to fully assess each individual involved will also play a large role in the length of …