The Court may appoint an interventionist to: 1) gather data in the form of the Court regarding family dynamics and functioning and 2) create desired change in individuals and family. Some of the goals and process can include the following:
1. Provide rehabilitation of a relationship between identified family members;
2. Identify, establish and communicate clear boundaries, behavioral expectations, rules, and rules for changes of the children in order to enhance safety and health in the family;
3. Make referrals for therapy as appropriate for containment of psychological behavioral issues regarding the parents or children, as needed;
4. Facilitate conflict resolution;
5. Facilitate the development or implement a court-ordered child-form schedule for access;
The purpose of an appointment of an interventionist is for reunification, supervised parenting time intervention, and co-parent intervention. Reunification involves the interventionist management of the family during the process of reunification. The interventionist works to support the relationship between family members in order to more closely approximate the parenting time plan as written in the court order. The intervention is aimed at supporting a renewed relationship, usually between a parent or caretaker and a child. Intervention is typically designed for cases of polarization or estrangement. It is useful in a broad array of family law circumstances. The interventionist also supervises visits with the goal of insuring the child’s physical and emotional safety. Supervised visitation may also involve some level of intervention, such as teaching a parent how to be more skillful. The interventionist also assists Mother and Father in an effort to improve co-parenting and communication. The interventionist may also assist individuals who have issues such as drug use, domestic violence, mental health concerns and healthy boundaries.
Typically the authority of the court appointed interventionist includes serving as an expert for the court in order to provide data and opinions relevant to the care and custody of, and access to, the minor children in the case pursuant to applicable Arizona statutes and case law. The appointed interventionist also has the authority to collect data and form opinions relevant to statutory issues. Conduct any and all assessment needed in order to provide an ultimate opinion as to the court identified issues and has the authority to collect and integrate information as well as referral for adjunct services at his or her sole discretion. The interventionist may also request the parties’ participation and include physical or psychological exams, assessment, psychotherapy, co-parenting work, or alcohol and drug monitoring and testing.
A Phoenix family law lawyer may be necessary to simplify the complex jargon that surrounds the appointment of an interventionist. If your family could benefit from speaking to a professional Phoenix family law lawyer, we invite you to give us a call.
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