COURT-INVOLVED THERAPY
Court-Ordered Therapy/Therapist (COT) & Court-Involved Therapy/Therapist (CIT)
I specialize in working with clients that are involved in the family court system. I am a trained COT/CIT. What exactly does this mean? For one, in my case, it means having received a great deal of training specific to supporting families going through family court for everything from a relatively peaceful divorce to one involving restraining orders. I am a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and follow their Guidelines for Court-Involved Therapy. I am a court approved therapist meaning that the court will often refer people to my practice. You can think of me as a court informed or court comfortable therapist.
Many therapists are confused or even frightened by attorneys and legal concerns and would prefer to avoid them. That sort of therapist can only have a limited benefit for clients that are steeped in legal processes like divorce. I am equipped to help my clients navigate the legal process, not through legal advice, but rather by simply being familiar with the implications and impacts of the legal terrain on their well-being and family decisions.
There are several different ways in which I can become involved. Parents can reach out to me directly whether or not they have an active court case, and I am happy to work with them. And often the court will order co-parents or individuals to get therapeutic treatment. The court may name me specifically as the therapist to use, or as one of several professionals, or may not offer any names. Regardless, I am available to assist in those situations and would then be considered a court-ordered therapist or court-appointed therapist.