Innovative Intervention for Troubled Parents in Difficult Custody Situations (W6) CD

Workshop

A Parenting Shadow is a mental health professional who works in the home in litigious custody cases in which one of the parent's abilities to function appropriately with his/her children is being questioned. Often, the parent in question has serious individual and parenting issues. In this scenario, a Parenting Shadow is in the home for extended periods of time working in conjunction with both the parent individually and together with the children to help work through various issues. Ideally over time, a healthier environment is created so that the goal of 50/50 custody can be achieved. Another scenario involves suspicions that the person being shadowed has serious problems parenting, but these suspicions ultimately are unfounded and the issue is often parent alienation. In this situation, the role of the Shadow becomes as an in vivo reunification therapist. This panel will include Parenting Shadow and Psychotherapist, Karen Horwitz, MFT, Dr. Jane Shatz, PhD who will discuss the usefulness of a Parenting Shadow as a Special Master/Parenting Plan Coordinator, and Dr. Carl Hoppe, PhD who will speak from the perspective of a custody evaluator, and attorney Judith Forman.