Course: OB-102 - Overcoming Parent Child Contact Problems Instructor: Matthew J. Sullivan, Ph.D.,Hon. Marjorie A. Slabach (ret.), Sherrol Cassedy, JD Approved for 6.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psycholgist, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available Approved by the Judicial Council of California for custody evaluators' CE credits

This interdisciplinary training presented by Hon. Marjorie Slabach (ret.), Dr. Matthew Sullivan, and Sherrol Cassedy, JD will explore the characteristics of high conflict families and legal and mental health interventions where children are resisting contact with a parent.  The program will also review the current literature and terminology used in these cases as well as take a look at how they present to attorneys, judges and mental health professionals and what each member of the team can do to help. The training will explore the spectrum of interventions for these families and best practices for legal and mental health professionals who work on these cases including the challenges of the Child’s voice, an interdisciplinary team approach and a discussion of lessons learned in working with these families by experts in the field.

Course: Advance Orientation (AO) Improves Efficacy, Efficiency, and Participant Satisfaction: Preparing Parents for Parenting Plan Evaluations

Instructor: Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D.

Approved for 2.5 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements

Program Description:

When divorcing parents litigate their children’s custody, many courts order the family to participate in a Parenting Plan Evaluation (PPE; formerly known as “child custody evaluation”). PPE is a rigorous, intrusive, time- and dollar-expensive process intended to characterize the family’s dynamics and assist the Court in understanding the children’s best interests. It stands to reason, however, that the anxiety associated with family turmoil compounded by the anxiety associated with the PPE process together undermines the ecological validity of the data thus obtained and thereby risks confounding these goals and doing harm.

A review of literature from a wide variety of fields suggests that orientation in advance of participating in an unfamiliar and stressful event diminishes consumers’ anticipatory anxiety, improves compliance, efficacy, efficiency, and satisfaction with numerous secondary benefits. In the context of PPE, advance orientation (AO) is distinguished from informed consent and coaching. An AO for parents preparing to participate in a PPE is proposed. Research into the efficacy of this program is described.

Goals & Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Develop and implement advance orientation (AO) programs to improve consumer satisfaction and service efficacy.
2. Discuss the efficacy of the specific AO program available for parents ordered to participate in PPE.
3. Differentiate the goals and processes associated with Advance Orientation from Informed Consent and coaching.

Registration Information     $89.00

CE Approval Information The Steve Frankel Group, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. This course is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for its licentiates' CE license renewal requirements. The Steve Frankel Group, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 2.5 hours of CE credit for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs.

Instructor: Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D.

Approved for 4 Hours of CE Credit

 Fulfills Requirements for Psychologist, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.

 This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees

High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available

Course: Refuting the 5 Factor Model: Best Practice Requires a Systemic Approach to PCCP (Parent-Child Contact Problems)

Instructor: Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D.

Approved for 3.0 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements

Course: Why the heck aren’t we doing this already? Advance orientation (AO) can improve satisfaction, efficiency, and efficacy in PPEs

Instructor: Benjamin D. Garber, Ph.D.

Approved for 1.0 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements

Complimentary free course!

Program Description:

More than fifty years of research in varied fields has demonstrated that when consumers are oriented to a professional service in advance of participating in that service, consumers are more satisfied, are less likely to complain, and the service is more efficient and more effective. This brief overview introduces the concept of advance orientation (AO) to the family law community. Programming now available at DefuseDivorce.com is described emphasizing the terrific value of AO programming for parents who are court-ordered to complete parenting plan (i.e., custody) evaluations.

Goals & Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the value of advance orientation in family law processes.
2. Distinguish advance orientation from informed consent and from coaching.

Registration Information     FREE!

CE Approval Information The Steve Frankel Group, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. This course is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for its licentiates' CE license renewal requirements. The Steve Frankel Group, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 1.0 hours of CE credit for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs.

Course: Custody Evaluations 101: Allegations and Sensitivities Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D. Approved for 5.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available

This is the fourth of eight 5-hour courses that comprise the 40-hours of comprehensive training to become a custody evaluator in California.

Course: Custody Evaluations 101: Challenging Issues Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D. Approved for 5.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available

This is the third of eight 5-hour courses that comprise the 40-hours of comprehensive training to become a custody evaluator in California.

Course: Custody Evaluations 101: Forms, Procedures and Reports Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D. Approved for 5.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available

This is the second of eight 5-hour courses that comprise the 40-hours of comprehensive training to become a custody evaluator in California.

Course: Custody Evaluations 101: Social Capital; Developmental Ages & Stages; Role Modeling; Empirically Based Interventions; How & What to Tell Children About the Evaluation Process & Results; & The Damage of Secret Keeping Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D.  Approved for 5.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video

This course is number six of eight total 5-hour courses totaling 40-hours of comprehensive custody training. The full catalog of courses is designed to provide participants with the knowledge to express legally compliant, ethical and comprehensive custody evaluations. All eight courses highlight controlling American Psychological standards of practice, AFCC guidelines, and California Rules of Court.

Course: Custody Evaluations 101: Standards, Guidelines and Rules Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D. Approved for 5.0 Hours of CE Credit  Fulfills Requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and Licensed Professional Counselors.  This course is designed for Full and Part-Time Private Practitioners, and Full and Part-Time Agency Employees High Resolution Online Streaming Video Format Available

This is the first of eight 5-hour courses that comprise the 40-hours of comprehensive training to become a custody evaluator in California.

Course: 2023 IPV Update

Instructor: Lori A. Love, Ph.D., Judge Margo Lewis Hoy (Retired), and Sandra Mayberry, CFLS

Approved for 4.0 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements

Program Description:

Participants will be provided with updated information regarding working with Parent Child Contact Problems (PCCP) within the context IPV. They will understand the dynamic of parental alienation (PA) as a form of coercive control. Participants will learn about the current trends occurring as methods of coercive control. Participants will learn from Retired Superior Court Judge Margo Lewis Hoy on how mental health professionals can assist the court in working with families with (PCCPs) and IPV. Participants shall be updated by Sandra Mayberry, CFLS on the status of Kayden’s Law and how it may impact current practices.

Goals & Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Identify noteworthy issues regarding working with families who have experienced IPV in family court.
2. Describe different modalities for intervening with the families with whom they work who are experiencing Parent Child Contact Problems (PCCPs), Family Violence (FV), & Parental Alienation (PA).
3. Give examples of the multiple effects of a variety of behaviors that impact the entire family system.
4. Apply the current status of Kayden’s Law into their current work with families.

Registration Information     $165.00

CE Approval Information The Steve Frankel Group, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. This course is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for its licentiates' CE license renewal requirements. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 5.225(d)(1), (2), (3) ,(4b,d), (5) ,(6), (9), (13), (14), (15) ,(20), (21), the outline or agenda submitted satisfies the requirements of the rule for 4 hours toward initial 40 hours evaluator training, and annual 4 hours of evaluator continuing education.

Course: Gray Divorce: Navigating Relationships as Clients Age

Instructor: Alyse November, PhD, LCSW and Stephanie Newberg, M.Ed., MSW, LCSW

Approved for 3.0 Hours of CE Credit

Fulfills License Requirements

Program Description:

This course is aimed at shedding light on the complexities of divorces among older adults. The presenters delve into the unique challenges faced by individuals navigating separation or divorce in their later years. The syllabus explores the clinical, emotional, familial, logistical, financial, as well as the impact of legal proceedings aspects in grey divorce.

Through discussions and lecture, Alyse November, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW and Stephanie Newberg, M.Ed., MSW, LCSW will offer practical strategies for managing these challenging relationships. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on understanding grey divorce and be better able to clinically support their clients in navigating these challenges. It will also provide clinicians with insight into helping their clients develop coping skills, learn self-advocacy skills, set boundaries, understand the dynamics of rebuilding life after a late-life divorce, as well as fostering resilience and empowerment in this specific life transition.

Goals & Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their comprehension of the emotional intricacies and psychological impact surrounding 'grey divorce and the unique emotional challenges faced by older adults going through separation or divorce.
2. Apply effective therapeutic strategies and intervention approaches tailored to support individuals coping with late-life divorces that focus on grief processing, rebuilding self-identity, and fostering emotional resilience during and after the divorce process.
3. Explain the impact of 'grey divorce' on familial relationships and transitions, equipping themselves with tools to assist individuals in navigating family adjustments and facilitating healthy communication among family members during this significant life transition.

Registration Information     $99.00

CE Approval Information The Steve Frankel Group, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. This course is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for its licentiates' CE license renewal requirements. The Steve Frankel Group, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 3.0 hours of CE credit for Psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs. This course outlines or agendas for Child Custody training have been approved by the Judicial Council of California for 3.0 hours of CE credit corresponding to subject areas specified in California Rules of Court, rules 5.225 and 5.230, et. seq. The views expressed in these trainings are those of the trainers and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the Judicial Council of California.

Course Description

Part 1 "The Impact of Divorce on Children: What Does the Research Actually Tell Us?"
Part 2 "Gatekeeping: A Part of Every Evaluation"
Part 3 "AA: Dealing with Allegations of Addictions (drug and internet/porn) and Alienation in Custody Disputes"
Part 4 "Hypothesis Testing/Report Writing and Cross-examination. Let's Practice: The Use of Technology and Doing Remote Evaluations"

The seminar is divided into four sections covering a wide range of topics related to conducting child custody evaluations.

The first section covers the impact of divorce on children. When custody evaluators make recommendations regarding parenting time it is critical that they understand what factors are likely to contribute to a child having a difficult adjustment to the divorce and a parenting schedule and what factors can reduce the likelihood of harm.

The second section will focus on Gatekeeping. Gatekeeping is increasingly becoming a critical aspect of all child custody evaluations. Given statutes regarding the need to address how parents support or do not support children’s relationship with their other parent, it is critical that this be assessed in all child custody evaluations. A model for the assessment of gatekeeping will be addressed.

The third section will cover “hot topics” in child custody evaluations including issues of addiction, such as alcohol and drug addiction. It will also cover issues regarding internet and pornography behavior and discuss how these are similar and different to substance use addictions. Another “hot topic” in child custody evaluations is regarding alienation. Professionals still debate on whether it is a syndrome or disorder as some professionals continue to support the belief it should be in the DSM. Others disagree. Up to date information on how various professionals formulate the concept of alienation will be discussed and why it should not be considered a disorder. A focus will be on defining terms and describing behavior rather than using labels.

The fourth section will cover the importance of hypothesis testing in child custody evaluations. Examples of how to use hypothesis testing will be presented as well as a discussion of how and when to document it. The importance of hypothesis testing will be addressed as a major component of every aspect of the child custody evaluation. This section will also cover report writing and how to include hypothesis testing in the child custody evaluation report. How to present the results of the evaluation in court will also be addressed. Finally, given the rapid change in the field of child custody evaluations due to COVID, the use of technology and its impact on child custody evaluations will be addressed.

Course Goal and Objectives

 At the conclusion of this program:

1. Participants will identify 5 main factors that impact children’s adjustment to divorce
2. Participants will be able to define types of gatekeeping
3. Participants will be able to describe a model for the assessment of gatekeeping
4. Attendees will identify similarities and differences between substance use addictions and internet/porn addictions
5. Participants will be able to describe the different formulations of alienation
6. Attendees will be able to describe how to integrate hypothesis testing into their evaluations and reports
7. Attendees will learn how to write an Integrative report
8. Participants will be able to describe how to use technology in remote evaluations while providing protection to clients and the evaluation.      

Registration Information     $260.00

CE Approval Information   The Steve Frankel Group, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. This course is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for its licentiates' CE license renewal requirements. Pursuant toCalifornia Rules of Court, rules 5.225(d)(1)-(3)(5)-(21), the outline or agenda submitted satisfies the requirements of the rule for 8 hours toward initial 40 hours evaluator training, and annual 8 hours of evaluator continuing education

Your access to the course material extends for 1-year from the date of purchase. This includes after passing the post-test, so you may continue to review its contents.