Forensic Psychology Services
- Qualified Expert Witness
- Court-Ordered Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapy
- Pre and Post Divorce Adjustment Issues
- Parental Alienation
- Reunification Therapy
- Forensic Psychological Evaluation Reports including but not limited to the following:
- Personality Evaluations
- Parental Fitness Evaluations
- Child Abuse and Risk Assessments
Forensic psychology is a subspecialty practiced by psychologists who evaluate a patient’s mental health as mandated by retaining institutions, attorneys, or courts. It pertains to legal issues such as criminal or civil law.
As a psychologist with a specialty in forensics, I have special aptitude and proficiency in clinical assessments, report writing, interviewing, and verbal and non-verbal communication. In addition, I am able to competently present the case and findings in court as an expert witness. I am able to perform the following tasks:
- Court Ordered Individual and/or Family Therapy
- Reunification Therapy
- Child and Adolescent Physical and/or Emotional Abuse and/or Neglect Therapy
- Pre and Post Divorce Adjustment Therapy
- Therapy for Victims of Parental Alienation
- Parent Training Post Divorce
- Threat Assessment for Schools
- Counseling Services for the Victims of a Crime
- Competency Assessments of Criminal Defendants
- Review of Court Ordered Evaluations and Rebuttal Witness
- Immigration Medical Waiver Evaluations
Fact Sheet: What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms:
Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheet:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long-term-consequences/
When providing court-ordered therapy, I use my specialized training in the following but not limited to court related issues including divorce, child welfare, parental fitness, high conflict dynamics, etc. In addition to the ability to assess the degree to which legal processes will impact the treatment, I consider issues that may influence the client and/or parent’s capacity in treatment, and the implications of treatment interventions on the legal processes.
A list of the guideline topics by The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, for all court-involved and court-ordered psychologists to follow and individuals involved in the legal system to be aware of:
- Assessing Levels of Court Involvement
- Professional Responsibilities
- Competence
- Multiple Relationships
- Fee Arrangement
- Informed Consent
- Privacy, Confidentiality, and Privilege
- Methods and Procedures
- Documentation
- Professional Communication
Co-Parenting Resources:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY COURT SERVICES UNIT:
https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/SCSingle.aspx?pid=314
DIVORCE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN:
https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/SCSingle.aspx?pid=260
Florida Department of Children and Families Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course Providers: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childwelfare/docs/ParentEducationAndFamilyStabilization.pdf
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR DIVORCE ED. PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN: https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/SCSingle.aspx?pid=313
Parents’ and Children’s Courses:
Miami Dade College
Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course and KIDS-Sand Castles Program
www.mdc.edu/ce
The Parent’s classes are offered in the classroom and online.
Kendall Campus: (305) 237-2161
North Campus: (305) 237-1019
Wolfson Campus (Downtown): (305) 237-7636
InterAmerican Campus (Little Havana): 305-237-6273
American Therapeutic Services, Inc.: (305) 262-1185
Parents’ Course Only: http://www.educationprograms.com/
1-800-767-8193
MODEL PARALLEL PARENTING PLAN ORDER (Florida): http://www.in.gov/judiciary/files/rules-prop-ptg-2012-appendixb.pdf
Collaborative Law information and resources:
www.choose collaborative.com (this is the South County practice group) and
www.collaborativepractice.com (IACP’s website-the international professional association)
This national movement away from toxic litigation to alternative dispute resolution where parents maintain control over the decisions for their family, conflict is reduced and communication enhanced is clearly better for them and their children. Productive co- parenting post divorce is made more likely.
AFCC Guidelines on Court Involved Therapy: