What is a Professional Supervised Visitation Monitor?

Sometimes, based on issues of protection and safety, a judge will order that a child only have contact with a parent when a neutral third person is present during the visitation. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called “supervised visitation.”

The Professional Provider of Supervised Visitation provider is there to make every effort to keep your children safe. The Professional Provider is a paid professional. The Professional Provider’s job is to make sure that the children and everyone involved in the visits are kept reasonably safe and protected. The Professional Provider must be present at all times during the visit, listen to what is being said, and pay close attention to the children’s behavior. If necessary, the Professional Provider may interrupt or end a visit. All Professional Providers are mandated to report suspected child abuse.

Types of providers

The law says there are 2 types of supervised visitation providers:

Non-professional providers

Professional providers

A Non-Professional provider is usually a family member or friend who is not paid for providing the supervised visitation service to you and your family. Professional providers charge a fee for the service. They are experienced in and trained to provide supervised visitation services. Your court order will usually say which type of provider you have to use to supervise these visits.

All providers must follow the uniform standards of practice for providers of supervised visitation outlined in standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration and Family Code section 3200.5. The court form Declaration of Supervised Visitation Provider (Form FL-324) which providers can fill out to let the court know about their qualifications can help you understand what the law requires for both types of supervised visitation providers.

Qualifications for a Professional Provider of Supervised Visitation 

All Professional Providers of Supervised Visitation must meet minimum qualifications before providing services. The qualifications, found under Family Code section 3200.5, for the 2 types of supervised visitation providers in California are:

Guidelines and standards for professional and therapeutic supervised visitation providers.

Training requirements for a supervised visitation provider

Professional providers are required to receive training on the topics outlined under Family Code section 3200.5. Also, Professional Providers of Supervised Visitation must follow the training and education requirements of the California Association of Supervised Visitation Service Providers and the standards for supervised visitation practice of the Supervised Visitation Network, as well as other professional codes of conduct.

What Does it Mean to Have Supervised Visitation?

Supervised visitation allows parents in high conflict or high risk situations access to their children in a safe and supervised environment. The noncustodial parent has access to the child only when supervised by another adult.

The public policy of the state of California is to protect the best interest of children whose parents have a custody or visitation matter in family court. Sometimes, based on issues of protection and safety, a judge will order that a child only have contact with a parent when a neutral third person is present during the visitation. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called “supervised visitation.”

A judge may order supervised visitation for many reasons, like:

• To give the visiting parent a chance to address specific issues;
• To help reintroduce a parent and a child after a long absence;
• To help introduce a parent and a child when there has been no existing relationship between them;
• When there is a history or allegations of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, or substance abuse;
• When there are parenting concerns or mental illness; or
• When there is a parental threat of abduction.
• The court order will specify the time and duration of the visits. Sometimes, the court order will also specify who will provide the supervised visitation services and where the visits will take place.

How Does Supervised Visitation Work?

Supervised Visitation, Sometimes, based on issues of protection and safety, a judge will order that a child only have contact with a parent when a neutral third person is present during the visitation. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called “supervised visitation.”

Can the Court Deny Visitation Rights?

Although state courts are increasingly moving toward joint custody arrangements after divorce, the old standard of one parent having physical custody and the other having visitation still exists. Under some circumstances, a court might deny visitation, but a custodial parent can't do so; on her own.

The purpose of supervised visitations is to enable an ongoing relationship between the Non-Custodial parent and child by impartially observing their contact in a safe and structure environment. Another purpose of supervised visitations is to allow a safe and educational learning experience for the non-custodial parent. Therapeutic supervised visitation programs, are able to intervene and correct the behavior, therefore teaching the parent appropriate parenting skills by using a mental health professional. 

Normally high-conflict families who are at risk for domestic violence, physical or verbal abuse, and parents with a history of very poor parenting skills require the use of therapeutic supervised visitation programs. Those who have previous allegations of sexual abuse, who have threatened to abscond with the child, or who have a history of severe parental alienation or restrictive gatekeeping are also generally good candidates for therapeutically supervised visitation.

Typically the clinicians who monitor visitors should be forensically trained mental health professionals who follow strict guidelines and are comfortable offering guidance to the court, based on their observations. By having mental health professionals supervise visitations, they will be able to assist in identifying and attempting to correct any issues that may prevent the parent from having a healthy and productive relationship with their child.

Overall, it is very important to fully understand the needs of your family and case before making an informed decision as to whether reunification therapy or therapeutic supervised visitations are best. As noted above, therapeutic supervised visitations are best utilized for parents who are in need of parenting skills training or for a short-term solution for a non-custodial parent to keep in contact with their child. As for reunification therapy, the goals are for a long-term solution for parents who are being “reunified” with their children. Typically, reunification occurs under the supervision of a clinician who will build a unique treatment plan for the family’s specific needs.

What is Reunification Therapy with Professional Therapists  ?

The main goal of reunification is to reintroduce a parent (or parents) back into a child’s life in a safe, controlled, and therapeutic manner. The process of reunification therapy can be a very long one, but it designed to ensure a safe environment for the children and parents involved to create a new and secure bond with one another under the close supervision of a clinician. The most important idea of reunification therapy is the long-term goal of reconnecting the parent and child for a long-lasting bond.

The process begins with choosing a clinician who is qualified and knowledgeable in the family law and mental health field. Once a clinician is chosen any court orders, parenting plans, settlements, court motions, DCF or child welfare documentations, any police reports, prior psychological evaluations or mental health records, as well as common information for all individuals and children involved must be reviewed by the clinician. This will ensure that the clinician is aware of the entire situation to better create a safe and unique treatment plan for the family.

The next step in the process is to meet with each parent and child separately. After meeting with both parents, the clinician must then work with the custodial parent to guide them towards allowing the participation and involvement of the alienated parent in the reunification process. This stage typically involves multiple sessions to gather information and therapeutic sessions as well as parenting education for the alienating parent to become aware of the benefits of having both parents involved in the children’s lives.

Helpful Information and Tips About Supervised Visitation for Parents

Tips for the visiting parent

Being with your children in the presence of someone else may be uncomfortable for you, at least in the beginning. You probably have many questions and concerns, and that is perfectly understandable. During tough times you may want to talk to a mental health professional or find a support group to help you with your feelings. Do your best to focus on your relationship with your children. Your patience and commitment are important during this time.

Here are some suggestions that might be helpful to you:

Tips for the custodial parent

Supervised visitation can also be a challenge for you. Typically you have been taking care of your children’s everyday needs and have a routine for yourself and your family. Supervised visitation can sometimes feel like 1 more responsibility. Of course, you also have concerns and questions about the visits and how they will affect your children. This is understandable. In difficult times you may also want to talk to a mental health professional or find a support group where you can talk about your feelings.

Here are a few suggestions that might help you in the process:

Read the court order.

1. Explain to your children where and when the visits will take place.
   
2. Have your children ready with anything they will need during the visits.
   
3. Arrive on time to drop off and pick up your children.
   
4. Reassure your children that you support them in having a pleasant visit.
   
5. Avoid quizzing your children about the visit.
   
6. Avoid making your children messengers to the other parent.
   

Tips for both parents

If you need to change the visitation schedule, the provider cannot do that for you. You will need to ask the court to change the visitation order. To assist you in filing the proper paperwork with the court, contact your lawyer or the family law facilitator in your court.

You may also ask Family Court Services to assist if both parents are willing to meet with a mediator. A court mediator can assist you in reaching an agreement that changes the visitation schedule. Your agreement can then be filed in court and become an order. Call your Family Court Services office to schedule an appointment.

Supervised visitation can be difficult and uncomfortable at times. Often there are hurt and angry feelings toward the other parent. It may also seem impossible to have a positive attitude about supervised visitation. Remember that both of you care about your children and that children benefit from having 2 parents in their lives whenever possible

Referenced from : http://forensicpsychologicalcenter.com/2013/12/09/difference-therapeutic-supervised-visitations-reunification-therapy/

The Psychological Center for Expert Evaluations, Inc.

Referenced from: http://www.courts.ca.gov/1190.htm

The California Courts