Developmental psychology for family law professionals : theory, application, and the best interests of the child

'[T]he best and most useful social science text I have read in a decadeÖ.It is comprehensive in its research and scope, clearly written and uses excellent case studies and examples to illustrate in simple terms what might otherwise be complex phenomena.'--Dr. Tom Altobelli Federal Magistrate, Family Law Courts Sydney, AustraliaThe goal of every family law professional and mental health practitioner is to improve family court outcomes in the best interests of the child. This book will assist readers in meeting this critical goal. Developmental Psychology for Family Law Professionals serves as a practical application of developmental theory to the practice of family law. This book helps family law and mental health professionals gain a broader understanding of each child's unique needs when in the midst of family crisis. It presents developmental theories with which professionals might better assess the developmental needs, synchronies, and trajectories of a given child. Ultimately, this book presents guidelines for making appropriate legal decisions and recommendations for children who have experienced crises such as abuse, neglect, relocation, divorce, and much more. Key topics include:Custodial schedulesFoster and adoptive carePost-divorce disputesTermination of parental rightsPsychological assessment and diagnosisIncarcerated parents and visitation rightsRelocation and'distance parenting'Visitation resistance and refusal/reunificationParental Alienation/alignment and estrangementTheories of cognitive, language, and social development Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgment......Page 16 PART I: ONE SIZE CAN NEVER FIT ALL......Page 18 1 Why a Perspective on Child and Family Development?......Page 22 2 Caveat Lector: On the Limitations and Relevance of Developmental Theory, Statistics, and Methods......Page 36 PART II: DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY IN OVERVIEW......Page 58 3 Cognitive Development......Page 60 4 Language Development......Page 72 5 Social and Emotional Development......Page 86 6 The Child’s Defense Mechanisms: Regression, Stress, and Impediments to Developmental Capacity......Page 112 7 Developmental Asynchrony and Décalage......Page 122 PART III: IN THE BEST DEVELOPMENTAL INTERESTS OF THE CHILD: TOPICS IN SEPARATION, VISITATION, AND REUNIFICATION......Page 158 8 A Child’s Understanding of Time, Separation, and Loss......Page 160 9 Custodial Schedules and Infant Overnights......Page 170 10 On Visitation Resistance and Refusal......Page 182 11 Growing Up Apart: Child–Parent Separation......Page 196 12 Development and Parent–Child Reunification......Page 218 13 Development and the Termination of Parental Rights......Page 232 PART IV: ADVANCED APPLICATIONS OF DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY TO FAMILY LAW PRACTICE......Page 244 14 What Is a “Mature Minor”?......Page 246 15 Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis in Family Law......Page 264 16 Alienation, Estrangement, and Alignment: The Tools and Weapons of Affiliation......Page 280 17 Development in the Mirror: On Becoming (and Remaining) a Family Law Professional......Page 296 APPENDICES......Page 310 Appendix I: Learn More Now: Agencies, Organizations, and Experts......Page 312 Appendix II: Preserving Families, Serving Children’s Needs, and Building Our Shared Future: A Proposal for a National Program of Continuing Parent Education......Page 326 Appendix III: Select Resources for Involuntary Separation: Incarcerated, Enlisted, or Hospitalized Parents......Page 328 Appendix IV: Mentoring Youth: Anchoring Kids Cast Adrift......Page 336 Appendix V: On Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Vicarious Traumatization......Page 338 References......Page 342 B......Page 398 D......Page 399 I......Page 400 N......Page 401 S......Page 402 V......Page 403 W......Page 404

"[T]he best and most useful social science text I have read in a decade....It is comprehensive in its research and scope, clearly written and uses excellent case studies and examples to illustrate in simple terms what might otherwise be complex phenomena."

--Dr. Tom Altobelli

Federal Magistrate, Family Law Courts

Sydney, Australia

The goal of every family law professional and mental health practitioner is to improve family court outcomes in the best interests of the child. This book will assist readers in meeting this critical goal. Developmental Psychology for Family Law Professionals serves as a practical application of developmental theory to the practice of family law.

This book helps family law and mental health professionals gain a broader understanding of each child's unique needs when in the midst of family crisis. It presents developmental theories with which professionals might better assess the developmental needs, synchronies, and trajectories of a given child. Ultimately, this book presents guidelines for making appropriate legal decisions and recommendations for children who have experienced crises such as abuse, neglect, relocation, divorce, and much more.

Key topics include:

• Custodial schedules
• Foster and adoptive care
• Post-divorce disputes
• Termination of parental rights
• Psychological assessment and diagnosis
• Incarcerated parents and visitation rights
• Relocation and "distance parenting"
• Visitation resistance and refusal/reunification
• Parental Alienation/alignment and estrangement
• Theories of cognitive, language, and social development
  

"The goal of every legal and mental health professional working in family law is to improve outcomes in the best interests of the child. This book assists readers in meeting this critical goal. Developmental psychology for Family Law Professionals serves as a practical application of developmental theory to the practice of family law." "This volume helps legal and mental health professionals gain a broader understanding of each child's unique needs when in the midst of family crisis. It presents developmental theories and techniques with which professionals might better assess the developmental needs, synchronies, and trajectories of a given child. The author presents guidelines for addressing the changing developmental needs of children who have experienced crises such as divorce, separation, relocation, abuse, and much more."--Jacket Helps social workers and mental health practitioners gain a broader understanding of a child's unique needs when in the midst of family crisis. This book presents guidelines for addressing the changing developmental needs of children who have experienced crises such as abuse, neglect, relocation, divorce, and more.