Dear Parent:
Most couples don’t have a child together thinking they’ll raise the child separately and not share parenting. Unfortunately, separation and divorce is a common occurrence. Most families feel unprepared to cope with the multitude of issues that they face when going through a separation or divorce, especially when children are involved. At times, people who were once in a loving and caring relationship find them-selves at odds and may end up seeing the worst side of their friend and partner. The entire family can feel overwhelmed. Most parents want to protect their children from being stuck in the middle, but sometimes even with your best effort it can happen. Seeking the assistance of a professional evaluator can be very helpful and is a positive step in the right direction. The child custody evaluator is there to listen to your story, hear both sides, and write an objective report to assist the judge in making a determination regarding what is best for your child(ren).
The legal system can be adversarial, and in most instances is not the preferred place for a family to be found. Frequently when this happens, a family will experience a loss of control and heightened anxiety. It is not uncommon to feel confusion as to how you got there. Having someone else make decisions about what is best for your child(ren) and family can be a frightening process. This is all the more reason it is critical to connect with an experienced child custody evaluator.
I have over twenty-five years in the fields of therapy and education, and have been a licensed psychologist for the past fourteen years. I am also certified as an alcohol and drug counselor, and have been providing these services to individuals, families and couples throughout my professional career. Originally a teacher, I am an experienced educator and am able to work effectively with learning concerns and disabilities. Having cross training in the fields of psychology, addictions, and education allows me the ability to provide a comprehensive evaluation addressing the complex issues that occur in families. Changes in life are constant; blended families, moving to new locations, differing opinions on mental health, addictions, educational needs and shared parenting schedules are just a few issues that cause parents to disagree. I have been providing child custody evaluations to the Superior Court of Placer County and previously in the Circuit Court of Cook County, in Chicago, IL. I also offer parenting and co-parenting education classes. An experienced psychologist and evaluator, I have assisted many families in negotiating parenting plans that comfortably address their children’s needs.
Having been in private practice for twenty years, I have treated an array of psychological concerns. This broad experience assists me in understanding family dynamics. I’ve been working with children and their families in education and therapy settings all of my adult life. I care about families and have dedicated myself to helping families build resiliency, regain health, and restore balance in effort to provide children with a healthy home environment in which to grow and develop. Whether at moms or dad’s house; children need to feel secure and loved; and that is focus of each child custody evaluation I conduct. Please feel free to contact me to learn more about the evaluation process, and my background and services. I am also available by phone (530) 888-9250, if you would find that more helpful. I look forward to meeting your family to begin working toward moving your family forward in life.
Respectfully,
Clare E. Steffen, Ed.D
