Carlsbad, CA, Attorney Addresses Complex Psychological Issues in Dissolution

Uniquely qualified to guide you on mental-health issues

Divorce or dissolution is difficult in the best of circumstances. When psychological matters are involved, the legal process can be filled with anxiety and frustration. For over 25 years, Silverman Family Law, APC, is uniquely qualified to address complex psychological issues as they arise during the Family Court-law legal process. I have 20+ years of experience in successfully solving Family Court-law issues in mediation with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques. I have 15 years of experience in psychology and Family Court counseling insight into complex mental-health issues.

Background in psychology and family counseling

I hold a J.D. in law and Ph.D. in counseling psychology, a master’s degree in behavioral sciences and epidemiology, a master’s in guidance and counseling, and a bachelor’s in psychology; and worked as a child and adolescent clinical psychologist and as a Family Court therapist for 15 years before pursuing my law career. I am experienced in coping with high-conflict custody matters, deliberate or inadvertent parental estrangement or interference, psychological disorders, and substance abuse issues.

Mediation and collaborative law

I obtained my mediation and dispute-resolution education at the renowned Pepperdine University School of Law, Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, in Malibu, CA, and studied advanced collaborative law. I serve as a settlement master and am on the special-master panel of the Unified Family Court Court of the Superior Court of San Francisco County. And I serve as a settlement attorney for the Superior Court of Orange County. My use of divorce mediation and collaborative methods grew from listening to my clients and developing workable solutions to their problems-valuable resources and skills that ease the anxiety associated with litigation and the dissolution of a marriage or a partnership and the issues that must be resolved and continuing our education in Family Court law as it develops and changes.

When a party’s mental health is at issue

Psychological issues are sometimes the primary concern in custody or visitation disputes. A spouse who becomes aggressive and angry may focus more on revenge than resolution, including using the children to punish the other parent and taking active steps to encourage parental estrangement or alienation. A resentful spouse may engage in unnecessary litigation to squander the financial resources available to either party or both parties so as to deprive the other party. Psychological issues can interfere with reaching a parenting plan agreement and can make litigation extremely stressful. I address psychological issues arising in marital or partnership dissolutions, such as:

• Alcohol or drug dependence
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anger management
• Personality disorders, (e.g. borderline, narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders)
• Emotional issues related to domestic violence and abuse

Talk to me about coping with complex psychological issues during divorce

To learn more about dealing with psychological issues associated with dissolution, call Silverman Family Law, APC, at 760-512-3251 or contact me online to schedule your free, initial phone consultation. Sunday appointments are available.

Silverman Family Law, APC, located in Carlsbad, California, serves clients in and around Carlsbad, Vista, Escondido, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos and all Orange County.