Stating the benefits to using a team based approach to resolve family law disputes. Lisa Vance (9/25/15 - Different Path Seminar in San Antonio, Texas)

1. Using a Team-Based Approach:
Applying early intervention to resolve family
disputes through the interdisciplinary model
Presented by LisaVance
The Law Office of Lisa A.Vance, P.C.
407 8th Street
San Antonio,Texas 78215
Phone: (210) 582-5887
Fa: (210) 582-5878
www.lisavancelaw.com

2. Why?
 Though only about 10% of divorce cases are
considered high-conflict, the issues leading to
divorce escalate quickly and have begun to take
effect on the kids even before the petition is filed.
 Effects of divorce on kids take many forms –
behavioral, social, emotional, etc.
 Research and experience show an
interdisciplinary model of intervention works
best when incorporated as early as possible to
defray the effects of divorce on kids.

3. The Interdisciplinary Model
 Legal
◦ Setting parameters
◦ Appointing professionals
 Mental Health
◦ Individual/family therapy
◦ Reunification therapy
◦ Treatment for issues/problems arising during the divorce process
 Education
◦ Conflict resolution
◦ Informing parents of the risks to the children
◦ Improving parenting skills

4. The Issues
 Alienation
◦ Forced by one parent against the other
◦ Naturally occurring when parental conflict
comes into play
 Blame
◦ Placing fault on themselves for the break up
◦ Actually blamed by a parent for the break up
 Grief
◦ The loss of the family unit
◦ The loss of life as they know it

5. Focusing on the kids
 The sources of conflict always
affect the kids
 In high-conflict divorce cases,
research has found that even
custody/access arrangements
that provide more exchanges for
visitation lead to more
behavioral, emotional, and social
problems in the children
 High conflict cases require
solutions that minimize the
effects of the conflict on the kids
 Research shows that resolutions
involving intervention with the
children are more durable
Kids
Courts
MHPs
Advocates
Parties

6. Getting Kids Acclimated to
Divorce
 Key actors in the litigation are the adults
 Kids need a voice
◦ Outlet for feelings/emotions
◦ Guidance to develop coping skills

7. Getting Kids Talking About Their
Feelings
 Peer groups allow for empathy and
prosocial interaction
 Third party adult allows for sharing in a
safe environment

8. Bereavement Model
 Newer approach
 Kids grieve the loss
of their intact family
unit
 Kids grieve the loss
of the life they knew
◦ Two houses
◦ New schedule
◦ Changed family
dynamic

9. Helping Kids Through the Grief
Process
 Kids need age-appropriate explanations
about what is happening
 Kids need to know what to expect
 Kids need personalized outlets that allow
them to express their feelings

10. Resources
 Kidsfirstparentssecond.org
 http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/
 http://www.helpguide.org/articles/family-
divorce/children-and-divorce.htm