Supervised Visits & Exchanges
Our program aims to provide safe, neutral, structured, and supportive environments for children to visit with their noncustodial parent or guardian when a judge has determined that visits and exchanges must be supervised.
Supervised Visitation
what is supervised visitation?
Supervised Visitation (SV) is visitation between a non-custodial parent and one or more children in the presence of a third party, "Visit Supervisor.”
In some cases, the courts feel it is appropriate to order supervised visitation to take place in the presence of a third party. It allows children to visit the non-custodial parent in a neutral, safe, positive and stress-free atmosphere. It protects children from being placed in the middle of parent’s conflicts or other problems.
The children’s needs are paramount in making any decisions regarding the need for such supervision. There are also benefits to parents. It will provide consistency with a set schedule of dates and times. The scheduling and visits are made by the neutral party (Visit Supervisor) and there does not have to be contact before, during or after the visits. Everyone benefits from the comfortable environment.
Visitor Supervisors will carefully observe the visit and record observations in a report for the court. The responsibility of the supervisor is to remain neutral neither siding with the custodial parent or visiting parent.
Why not use a friend or relative rather than a professional service?
At times courts will allow “non-professional” relatives or friends to provide the monitoring. Many times this does not work.
Well-meaning friends or family will agree to provide the service; however, they soon tire of the regular commitment of time and effort. It is difficult for family or friends NOT to be placed in the middle and not choose sides. It places a tremendous burden on the relationship and creates unnecessary strife and stress.
Once neutrality is lost, then the credibility of the friend or family member is damaged. Fortitude Counseling
Benefits of hiring a professional company
Associates Supervised Visitation Program provides highly trained supervisors that have completed courses in proper observation techniques and written reports.
We provide professional observations, legally written reports and will testify in court if necessary.Additionally:
- Fortitude Supervised Visitation Program holds a membership and is credentialed by the nationally-recognized Supervision Visitation Network.
- Visit Supervisors are skilled at the methodology of observation/reporting.
- Visit Supervisors must complete yearly training per SVN requirements.
- Visit Supervisors remain neutral at all times.
- Rules and regulations are in place to ensure the safety and well being of all participates.
- Visit Supervisors are educated towards maintaining a positive, safe, secure atmosphere with focus on the overall care of children.
- Visit Supervisors participate in a rigorous curriculum and must pass the “Evaluated Supervised Visitation Assessment” prior to assisting clients.
- Visit Supervisors are instructed in such topics as: Domestic Violence, Sex Abuse, Physical Abuse, Neglect and Emotional Abuse, Anger, Alcohol, and Stress management, Parental Alienation, and many more topics.
Therapeutic Supervised Visitation
What is therapeutic supervised Visitation?
Therapeutic Supervision is conjoint parent-child therapy conducted by a licensed or certified mental health professional also trained to provide supervised visitation. This includes a student or intern in training for a post-graduate degree under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional. Additionally,
- Masters Level clinician provides the service.
- Parents who would benefit from the therapeutic interventions in order to parent safely and independently are directed.
- Treatment goals are established and reviewed.
- Parents meet with their Visitation Specialist before /after each visit.
- Therapeutic interventions will be utilized before, during, and after the visits
- Neutrality is relevant.
A licensed mental health professional who is providing therapeutic supervised visitation may prepare a written report that demonstrates a parent’s commitment or readiness for treatment and may include a professional opinion about parent/child readiness to enter the next phase of treatment. No opinions or recommendations are made about child custody/access determinations.
Example Goals of Therapeutic Supervised Visitation
- Improve communication skills between the parent and child.
- Increase parenting skills
Supervised Safe Exchanges
What is a safe supervised exchange?
Safe Exchange Supervision is the transfer of the child(ren) from one parent to the other, limited to the actual transfer with the remainder of the visit unsupervised. Parents have no interaction with each other as the children are supervised from one parent to the other.
It works similar to that of our Supervised Visitation program and that the focus and goal is to make sure that the child or children are safe during the interaction.
A short intake questionnaire will be given to help our staff set up the most positive and nurturing way to safely make the exchange with the child(ren). We will coordinate with the custodial parent and the Supervised Visit Supervisor to find a time that works for everyone.