Services
Offered in-person or via telehealth.
Psychological Evaluation & Parenting Capacity Evaluation
Psychological evaluations and Parenting Capacity Evaluations come in many shapes and sizes, and it is best to have a consult to establish the questions for each evaluation to address.
Others are geared toward better understanding of issues that may impact parenting, and diagnosing mental health issues. Parenting capacity evaluations are geared at evaluating a parent’s ability to provide a physically and emotionally safe home for a child given known issues or diagnosis.
While it is not a one size fits all. I work with referral agencies and families to establish the best approach to providing helpful information to establish safety and optimal parenting for your child, and to provide a pathway via recommendations and services needed, to getting that parent to best level possible.
These evaluations may include a comprehensive record review, and interviewing of collateral parties including other professionals, schools and family and friends.
An initial consult can be scheduled for this service to establish what is needed. This can be attorney consult, family consult or other professional consult (billed at 150 per hour.) Most evaluations can be completed remotely via telehealth.
Child Safety Evaluation
A Child Safety Evaluation mirrors the work I have done for DSS for years. The goal of this evaluation is to provide more data about a specific concern that is safety related for the child. This may include concerns for abuse and neglect, parent/caregiver mental health/substance abuse or issues with parenting/personality style that may negatively effect the child.
The goal of this evaluation is to not only identify concerns and risks, but make clear recommendations for a path to remedy the concerns and mitigate risk for child safety.
Parenting Coordination & Consultation
Parenting Coordination services are solely mandated by the court and I accept families/referrals on a case by case basis. Parenting consults are for families who seek that style of assistance and who are willing to be cooperative but are not court mandated.
Parenting consultations are for families or individuals who find that it would be helpful to get a professional perspective and education on issues. These issues may include things such as upcoming custody decisions, ironing out specifics across homes, or other issues that they need someone to guide them in making the best choices for their child.
Sometimes parents go into divorce just wanting to “do it right” for their child. Sometimes, parents need education on parenting kids at different stages and communication. Sometimes parents hit a specific issue after years of co-parenting well, and need assistance in ironing out a new wrinkle.
And sometimes, parents just need to learn how their actions are negatively effecting their kids and need coaching around that issue. And need someone to give insight into the best plans for kids and help them understand the WHY behind the need for change. Sometimes they just need an outside party to bounce things off of, to help them get perspective.
Sometimes parents want to avoid a lengthy child custody evaluation, and would like a consult about what is best for the child/situation before taking that leap and taking on that expense.
Expert Testimony
I have 30 years of experience in evaluation of children for abuse and neglect, and expertise in emotional abuse/psychological maltreatment of children. I have worked with social services, child advocacy centers and medical teams and have a wealth of experience. I have been tendered as an expert in the evaluation of children for abuse and neglect in federal, superior, civil and district courts over 200 times over the years.
I am available for professional consultation and review of cases as an expert. I feel I provide a good eye for important details, a strong voice for children, and can drill down to highlight salient concerns in cases.
Guardian Ad Litem
A Guardian ad Litem conducts interviews and investigates the needs of children involved in a custody dispute, then uses the gathered information to make reccommendations to a judge.
The interviews and investigations conducted allow the GAL to better understand the needs of the child or children involved.
GALs are appointed in court custody cases before a custody order or a modification thereof is submitted.
Therapy
Divorce and single parenting is hard. Very, very hard. I have been there myself, and have often said it was worse than chemo and cancer. There is so much grief, loss, fear, frustration and anger. Healthy parents make for healthy kids. Therapy is done via telehealth or in person. No insurance is accepted, but superbills can be provided.
Note: I am not currently accepting clients I have previously seen in any capacity. All therapy clients must be residents of North Carolina.