ECAR Evaluation and Counseling Services, LLC

llow them to:

1.reflect upon and examine feelings about themselves, others and the world.


2.understand the impact of one’s behavior or actions impact how they think and feel and


3.use this information to help clients feel better by offering them an avenue for changing the way they “think and respond (act)” to life events. It has been found to be particularly useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, social phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and some forms of addiction. Reconciliation Therapy is a term that is increasingly being used by the court and others to define a therapeutic intervention in order to assess, facilitate and move family members forward when family members have experienced event(s) that have caused trauma. Family members can perceive both emotional and physical offenses by family members as being unforgivable. Bonds of trust are broken and individuals are often deeply hurt over the course of relationship. There are those family members who will attempt to reconcile and forgive to move forward and recover a personal sense of wellbeing or simply because they feel it is the “right thing” to do based on personal and/or religious beliefs. Therapists are often consulted to facilitate such healing. Forgiveness is truly a gift to one’s self and is necessary so once can move forward and (if possible) redefine or renew relationships with the both parties. Social/Psychological Parenting Evaluations that is either court ordered or required by Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Foster care Licensing or like agencies to assist professionals in reaching decisions in child dependency cases, foster care or child care licensing. Typically, a parenting evaluation is ordered by the court or Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) when there are:

1.questions or concerns about the presence of problems that might limit one or both parents’ ability to parent or provide care for children and


2.the court or DSHS is seeking to determine custody or placement decisions that are in the best interest of the child. DSHS can also require individuals seeking to adopt or be licensed to provide care to foster care or child care services to children or adolescents to complete this type of evaluation. Parenting evaluations will/can involve psychological testing, interviews with potential child care or foster care providers, parents and/or children, as well as conversations with other involved parties, such as school teachers, CASA’s, and detailed readings of medical, educational and other files. Gambling Treatment for Individuals and Family Members that is client centered and outcomes based in order to reduce or eliminate problem gambling behavior individuals through personal exploration and identification of underlying reasons for the urge to gamble. Guardian Ad Litem
In child custody cases, whether the parents of the child or children were married or not, and where the parties have not already agreed on custody and support matters, the court will appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to recommend to the court what would be in the best interests of the child or children. They are often described as the “eyes and ears” of the Court outside the Courtroom. A GAL is required to examine the living situation of the child and will interview:

both parents, other people in the child’s life, including but not limited to teachers, doctors, other family members and family friends, the children if they are old enough to coherently discuss their opinions about their living situations. After the investigation is completed the Guardian ad Litem will make a recommendation to the Court that offers their opinion about a Parenting Plan that would be in the best interest of the child. The Court usually gives great deference to the recommendations of the Guardian ad Litem. A Guardian ad Litem is paid and that cost is usually shared between the parents. Home studies evaluate the suitability of the home environment and includes on-site home visits in order to determine if the setting can accommodate the needs of all family members and/or children that might be placed in the home. The condition of the home is evaluated to determine whether it is clean, safe, comfortable, and in conformance with agency regulations. The agency also may require an inspection by the State health department or a fire and safety inspection by the fire marshal. Some home studies are court ordered when Judges want additional information about parents and include (but not limited to) their parenting styles, current living conditions, employment, life history, educational backgrounds and current relationship status. These studies are conducted by individuals such as psychotherapists, social workers, and others with verifiable experience and specialized training and expertise with working with families and children. Other Services
•IE Mental Status Examinations