Mediation:
Family and divorce mediation ("family mediation" or "mediation") is a process in which a mediator, an impartial third party, facilitates the resolution of family disputes by promoting the participants’ voluntary agreement.
Therapy/Adult: Therapy with Adult(s)
This may include one or more adults and may also include other collaterals. Court-Involved Therapists (CIT’s) are mental health professionals who provide therapeutic services to family members involved in child custody or juvenile dependency Court processes. Any mental health professional providing psychotherapeutic treatment of a parent, child, couple, or family who is, at any time during the treatment, involved with the legal system. Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy were published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in 2010.
Therapy/Child: Therapy with a Child or Sibling Groups
This may also include sessions with a parent(s) and/or other or other family members. Court-Involved Therapists (CIT’s) are mental health professionals who provide therapeutic services to family members involved in child custody or juvenile dependency Court processes. The term Court-Involved Therapists (CIT) applies to any mental health professional providing psychotherapeutic treatment of a parent, child, couple or family who is, at any time during the treatment, involved with the legal system. Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy were published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in 2010.
Therapy/Family: Therapy with Multiple Family Members
This type of therapy may include family sessions, conjoint sessions with various combinations of family members, and individual sessions. Court-Involved Therapists (CIT’s) are mental health professionals who provide therapeutic services to family members involved in child custody or juvenile dependency Court processes. Any mental health professional providing psychotherapeutic treatment of a parent, child, couple or family who is, at any time during the treatment, involved with the legal system. Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy were published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in 2010.
Co-parent Counseling:
Co-parent Counseling is deemed as confidential unless there is a Court Order or stipulation to the contrary. Co-parenting counseling is used as one type of referral designed to support parents in the articulation and development of their new relationship as co-parents. It is goal oriented and the content of discussion is driven by the articulated needs of the parties. Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy were published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in 2010.
Reconnection Therapy:
Reconnection therapy, conducted under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional, is a non-confidential therapeutic process whereby the parent who has been separated from and/or rejected by their child(ren), is “reconnected” with their child(ren), to the fullest extent possible. This process would apply to families in which there has been limited or no contact between parent and child(ren). For the therapeutic process to be effective, both parents need to participate, at the discretion of the therapist. Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy were published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in 2010.
Therapeutic Supervised Visitation (TSV):
Therapeutic supervised visitation is a non-confidential, short-term intervention between a non-custodial parent and their child(ren) which requires therapeutic assistance. Due to significant disruption of the parent/child(ren) relationship(s) and the consequential need for guidance in “how to” re-establish and operate these relationships more successfully, TSV teaches skill building and may require periodic updates to the Court about the status of the progress. However, these status reports shall not include any recommendations about visitation and custody. Providers must meet the requirements of Rule of Court 5.230.
Brief Focused Assessment (BFA):
Comprehensive Custody Evaluation (CCE):
A Comprehensive Custody Evaluation (also known as a Section 730 Evaluation) is a comprehensive forensic investigation ordered by the court, whereby the investigator/mental health professional assists parents and the court in determining a parenting or child sharing plan which is in the children's best interests. Providers must meet the requirements of Rule of Court 5.230 regarding domestic violence training. Provider must meet the requirements for completion of FL-326, Declaration of Court-Connected Child Custody Evaluator Regarding Qualifications.
Parenting Coordination:
Parenting coordination is a voluntary, non-confidential, non-adversarial dispute resolution process utilized by divorced and/or separated parents who have demonstrated an ongoing pattern of high conflict and/or litigation about their children. Providers must meet the requirements of Rule of Court 5.230 regarding domestic violence training. Providers must also be compliant with training standards established by AFCC (2005 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), with specific advanced training in: (1) the Parenting Coordination Process, (2) Family Dynamics in Separation and Divorce, (3) Parenting Coordination Techniques and Issues and (4) Court Specific Parenting Coordination Procedures.