PSYCHOTHERAPY
Individual therapy to adults and adolescents
Marital and Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Co–Parenting Therapy
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Mental Health Evaluation in a Variety of Settings
Fitness for Duty
Independent Medical Examination (IME)
Brief Focused Assessment (BFA)
PARENTING / DIVORCE-RELATED SERVICES
Parenting Coordination
Parenting Coordination (PC) is a non-adversarial dispute resolution process for high–conflict parents or guardians. It is either ordered by the court or agreed upon by the parties. The primary purpose of this process is to help parents effectively and respectfully work with one another regarding child–related matters. To this end, Dr. Ribnick provides parent education, teaches communication and problem–solving skills, and helps parents to comply with court orders. Dr. Ribnick can help draft or modify parenting plans, monitor the child’s adjustment, and protect the best interests of the child. Dr. Ribnick will mediate, and when necessary, arbitrate contentious issues.
Child Custody Evalutions
This specialized, court-ordered evaluation is designed to address specific concerns detailed in a court order or legal documents. Generally speaking, the focus is on assessing the child’s best interests in relation to the home environment, involvement and rapport with each parent, and the co-parenting / family dynamics. As with a Parental Capacity Evaluation, this will include an assessment of each parent’s ability to provide a safe environment, and timely, age–appropriate care for the child(ren) in his or her care. The evaluation will include an assessment of the parent’s overall mental and emotional stability, as well as his or her knowledge, skills, and deficits related to the parenting role. Dr. Ribnick will also evaluate each child’s unique temperament, strengths, and special needs, with particular attention to the parents’ ability to attend to these needs. Recommendations may be provided regarding mental health, addiction, and parenting / co-parenting interventions. A detailed parenting plan may be created.
Parental Capacity Evaluations
This specialized evaluation is designed to assess a parent’s ability to provide a safe environment, and timely, age–appropriate care for a child(ren) in his or her care. Dr. Ribnick assesses the parent’s overall mental and emotional stability, as well as his or her knowledge, skills, and deficits related to the parenting role. Dr. Ribnick will evaluates each child’s unique temperament, strengths, and special needs, with particular attention to the parent’s ability to attend to these needs.
MEDIATION
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process to help adversarial parties resolve conflict in a safe, efficient, and productive manner. Mediation is a confidential and private problem solving process, which enables the parties to reach customized, self-defined agreements at their own pace. In this capacity, Dr. Ribnick assumes a neutral role to help the parties quickly and effectively reach agreement, in lieu of slow and costly legal proceedings. Dr. Ribnick does not have a vested interest in either party or the outcome, and has no authority to impose a decision on the parties. When indicated, she will include other professionals (e.g., an attorney, a financial consultant) to assist in the process. An additional benefit of this process is that it often fosters improved communication and trust between the parties.
Divorce Matters / Relationship Separation
Family Disagreements and Family Business Matters
Employee Problems
Neighborhood Conflicts
Co-habitation Disputes
COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE
Collaborative Divorce is a revolutionary approach to handling family law matters. The process offers the services of legal, mental health and financial professionals working together as a team to help the opposing parties through the divorce process. An unique aspect of this approach is that the process takes place entirely outside the court system and the parties control the process.
Some benefits of this process include:
- The parties decide the terms of their divorce / dissolution, not the lawyers or a judge
- It provides for open communication and encourages mutual respect
- It assumes a mutual problem – solving approach which reduces animosity
- It saves time and often saves a lot of money (compared to a contentious litigation)
- Sensitive family matters remain private
- It provides clients with experience and skills they can use in future problem solving
- It emphasizes the needs of the children
CONSULTATION
Dr. Ribnick is available to provide professional consultation to Attorneys, Courts, Physicians, Mental Health Professionals, Business Owners, and Human Resource Departments. This consultation can include working with employees. Attorneys may use her services to conduct topical research, review mental health or custody–related evaluations conducted by others, and assist them with trial preparation.