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March/April 2008 E-Bulletin

Alumni E-Bulletin #9
March/April 2008

Help a Student, Give to the Scholarship Fund

Feature
High Conflict Couples: Successful Co-Parenting Versus Child/Parent Reunification Orders by Renee Leff, MA

Events
New! Summer Session  |  “I am an Art Therapist” Exhibit |  Developing Culturally Diverse Teams | Speakers' Summit  |  2008 Grad Picnic  |  An Evening of Wine

News
LAC DMH Awards Phillips Contract | Phillips Supports Local Teachers | David Willoughby Presents at CAMFT  |  Alumni Luncheon Pictures 

Services
Communications Bureau  |  No-Cost Professional Assistance for Organizations

Get Involved
Alumni Association  |  Help MFT Students Get Their Hours  | Using H & R Block Can Benefit Phillips |  Escrip for Phillips | Recycle Ink Cartridge and Cell Phones  |  Writing for the E-Bulletin

Upcoming Continuing Education Courses


Feature

High Conflict Couples: Successful Co-Parenting Versus Child/Parent Reunification Orders

by Renee Leff, MA
 


This article is reprinted with permission from San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Bar Notes.

Every psychotherapist has faced the frustrations of dealing with high conflict couples undergoing divorce. The most serious deficits within the parties surface when they demonstrate their failure to realize the legal and emotional impact of the conflict on the child.

The most common dilemmas that high conflict couples face are the creation of multiple allegations, litigations, evaluations; dysfunctional alliances, alignments, and alienation; exposing the children to a new romantic interest too soon; different houses, different schedules – what’s not okay to change. Of course, the most damaging condition of all is having a conflict (even if it’s only body language, such as rolling of the eyes) in the presence of the children. All these behaviors create loyalty binds for children that are damaging, traumatizing, and can last a lifetime.

Resolution of these dilemmas can occur without court orders. If the attorneys are informed of the special needs of children of divorce, attachment issues, and child developmental levels, they can help the parties focus on the child to create an appropriate parenting plan that meets the specific needs of the family and allows the co-parents to move forward with their own separate lives. They can also help the parties to understand that they are transforming a marriage relationship into a business relationship and the necessity to act with more formal, business-appropriate behavior in order to maintain a successful working co-parenting relationship. Finally, but always, and at any point, attorneys can refer the parties to an expert on children of divorce, a mental health professional, who is trained with high conflict couples to help the parties focus on their child, and if necessary co-mediate an appropriate parenting plan with them.

When high conflict couples do not resolve their dilemmas, court orders often come into play. Court mandated classes, such as “Parents Without Conflict” may be mandated. This is a weekly class that is focused on co-parenting co-ordination. It may be taken at the courthouse, where the time and date is arbitrarily established by the court. It is three hours in length and occurs in the middle of the day. Although the price is nominal, these classes often interfere with work schedules, and both parents are required to attend all the classes together in order to obtain a certificate.

Alternatively, private classes are offered by court-trained and certificated mental health professionals. These classes have more flexibility as they can accommodate one or both parents and may be offered in the evenings without interfering with work schedules. The cost of private classes may be higher than the court cost; however for some parties the convenience may be attractive.

Child custody evaluations are another outcome of unresolved co-parenting custody disputes. We all know the time and the emotional and financial cost of a full blown custody evaluation. Even brief evaluations and solution focused evaluations have waiting lists that may be several months long.

Frequently in a high conflict situation, when a child becomes old enough, he or she will refuse telephone calls and/or visitation with a parent. A loyalty bind has created an alignment or alliance with one parent against the other to the extent that the child no longer feels comfortable with the other parent. That other parent will often seek a parent-child re-unification order or court-mandated family/child therapy in the hope of rebuilding a relationship with an alienated child.

Many of us recently heard this play out when we listened to the telephone message left by Alec Baldwin on his daughter’s cell phone. It is not difficult to identify with the frustration and hurt that a parent feels when his/her child refuses to communicate. And it is also not difficult to understand that a young person would refuse to communicate with a parent who brings such a deep level of intensity to their relationship.

When divorce becomes so conflicted and so protracted, it is almost inevitable that the child(ren) will be affected. It is not uncommon for children to side with one parent or another. A sad result of this is that it usually takes lengthy clinical intervention for trust to be re-built between parent and child. According to Judith Wallerstein, in Legacy of Divorce, divorce in many cases carries on for the children deep into their adult years, negatively affecting their self-esteem and life choices. The irony is that much of the rancor and damage could be avoided with early high conflict co-parenting education.

Court measures attempt to produce the best outcome for the child and/or to reconcile child with parent, and quite often they do. However, there are also many difficulties to overcome once a high conflict case has gotten so far along. Often parties deplete most of their revenue during the process and are usually bitter; the children are often resistant to therapy; and at least one parent, if not both, have become negative about the legal and psychological process. It is very challenging to shift the perspective of family members once they have become emotionally entrenched in court litigation. Nevertheless, successful adjustments do occur over time for most families.

According to Joan Kelly, Ph.D., who frequently authors articles in “Family Court Review,” The Journal of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 75% of children of divorce make successful adjustments, while 25% do not. Far better to be proactive and help the families resolve their dilemmas before the years of angry litigation take their toll. Knowledgeable attorneys, psychotherapists, and timely interventions can reduce that 25% failure rate for children. High conflict co-parenting dilemmas can be diminished with education, information and professional guidance.

Renee Leff, MFT, J.D., FSCIPP has a private practice in Woodland Hills (818) 734-9602, where she specializes in divorce, custody and high conflict couples. She is past president of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is an adjunct professor at Phillips Graduate Institute, as well as a former child custody evaluator.

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Events

New!
Phillips Summer Session May 12 - August 6
Get the CEUs you need this summer with the Phillips MFT and Continuing Education Programs. Ten new extension courses will be offered at a reduced rate for professionals, and Phillips Alumni Association members can take advantage of one of their membership benefits by enrolling in any of these courses at the discounted student rate. Topics include: Understanding Couple’s Treatment; Gender, Power, and Sexuality; and Conversational Spanish for Therapists, among others. More information.

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“I Am an Art Therapist,” Currently on Display
Currently on display in the Gallery Hallway on the second floor of campus, “I am an Art Therapist” presents Art Therapy student and faculty meditations on this common injunction made by Shirley Riley. Sales from the exhibit go to the Shirley Riley Memorial Fund, which sends an art therapy student to the American Art Therapy Association Annual Conference. Each art piece will be sold for $50. Art will go on sale Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at 3:30 pm when purchase sign up sheets are placed under each piece. For more information about purchase, please call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1732, or see the exhibit information pages, or exhibit gallery.

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Developing Culturally Diverse Teams, April 14
Seminar Presented by Unite in Vision
Facilitated by Manijeh Motaghy, PsyD.
and Daniel Davis, Mindfulness Coach

Does your business depend on culturally diverse employees and customers? Then you’ll want to take advantage of this life changing interactive seminar.

  • Learn about Cultural Precepts
  • Develop Mindfulness Techniques
  • Enhance Customer Relations
  • Cultivate Employee Retention
  • Enhance Customer Relations
  • Increase Cultural Intelligence (CQ)
  • More Effective Decision Making
  • Close More Deals Across Cultures
  • These skills are universal – working equally well at home or work
Monday, April 14th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Refreshments and a buffet lunch will be served as well.
Sign up by March 25th and receive 2 Free Hours of Executive/Life Coaching or Mindfulness Training!
To register for this seminar, visit www.uniteinvision.com/registeronline.html. For more information, call 818.917.0636.

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Speakers' Summit:
Increase Your Business and Income Through Speaking, May 2-3
Speakers, Authors, Consultants, Coaches, Experts, Entrepreneurs, CEO's
In today’s business world it's important to communicate your ideas effectively, whether you are selling a product, delivering a speech, workshop, designing a proposal or asking for sponsorship. A great presentation makes the difference.

  • Speakers' Summit is a comprehensive hands-on training designed to expand your knowledge and open up new channels of information for your business.
  • Produce presentations that captivate, attract attention, motivate action and get results
  • Unlock the secrets for spontaneity, communion, comfort and connection
  • Create one sheets that work and get you results
  • Master web marketing 2.0 - the new generation of web interactive content tools. Social Networking, Blogging, YouTube…
  • Attract corporate sponsors for your programs
  • Uncover affordable ways to develop products with the latest cutting edge technology
Speakers include Jack Barnard, Susan Levin, Michelle Price, Sheryl Roush and Linda Hollander.
Friday & Saturday- May 2-3, 2008
www.speakerservices.com/speakerssummit08
A Speaker Services Production
310-822-4922

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An Evening of Wine, June 10
Phillips, as well as Ability First, will be honored at this wine tasting event sponsored by the Encino Chamber. Come try your favorite vintage and support Phillips at the same time. Silent auction, refreshments, fun. Tickets: $50 individuals, $85 for couples. Held at the Woodland Hills Hilton. For more information, please call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753

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Graduation Picnic, June 1
Come meet our newest grads on Sunday, June 1st, from 1-5 pm at Woodley Park at our first ever Graduation Picnic. Help welcome new grads into the Alumni Association while you reconnect with old friends. Tickets for food and fun are just $15 and can be purchased in advance by contacting Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753.

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News

Los Angeles County – Department of Mental Health
Educational Stipends for MFT Students
As the legal administrative entity for the Southern California Consortium of MFT Schools and Agencies, Phillips has been awarded the administration of the 2007-2008 Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health MFT Stipend Program. Up to 140 educational stipends ranging from $6,000 to $11,000 will be awarded to MFT students who agree to work with full salary and benefits for one year at county contracted mental health agencies in need of providers. Students with cultural and linguistic specialties are sought. For more information, please contact Jose Luis Flores at 818.386.5651 or jlflores@pgi.edu.

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Phillips Supports Local Teachers
On Friday, March 14th, Phillips Director of Advancement Cynthia Carr attended the Encino Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Awards at the Warner Center Marriott. She presented the 2008 recipient ___, (1) a certificate entitling him to any workshop presented by CalFam, and (2) a certificate entitling his school to a seminar of her choice. Phillips is a long-standing member of the Encino Chamber and continues to support our local teachers.

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David Willoughby Presents at CAMFT
MFT core faculty member, David Willoughby, RN, LMFT, offered Psychopharmacology at CAMFT SFV chapter on March 2, 2008 at the Woodland Hills Country Club. Course Chair of Psychopharmacology and Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Willoughby is also a Registered Nurse in Los Angeles. He has worked with individuals, couples, and groups in a variety of settings, including hospital treatment programs, county mental health clinics, and community service agencies. His private practice is located in the Los Feliz-Atwater area. His practice focuses on gay and lesbian mental health, mood disorders, addiction recovery, psychological responses to medical illness, and couples who are experiencing growth and change in their relationships. Willoughby has lectured and presented workshops on a variety of topics, including HIV, substance abuse, crisis intervention, workplace violence, team-building, psychopharmacology, and grief & loss. He graduated from Pepperdine University in 1987 with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. In 1978 he received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Madonna College in suburban Detroit and is a 1974 graduate of Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit, Michigan. Willoughby’s theoretical background is in Self Psychology and Structural Family Therapy, which he believes are complementary.

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Alumni Luncheon
On April 5, Phillips and the Alumni Association held the third annual Alumni Luncheon, featuring the Academic Excellence Awards and the Shirley Riley Scholar.  The 2008 Academic Excellence Scholars include: Dale Hudson (OC), Arlette Davis (MFT/AT) and Jan Rosser (MFT). The 2008 Shirley Riley Scholar is Ladan Safvati. It was a wonderful celebration of the Phillips community. See images from the 2008 Alumni Luncheon.

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Services 

Communications Bureau
The Alumni Association has teamed up with Phillips and CalFam to establish the Communications Bureau as a resource for alums, students and the community.  Alums and students from any Phillips program can apply to present talks and workshops to nonprofits, organizations, businesses and schools on psychoeducational and organizational topics such as Leadership in Nonprofits, School Violence, Organizational Efficiency, Domestic Violence, etc.  If you are interested in becoming a speaker with the Communications Bureau, please complete the Temporary Speakers Form and return it to Francine Roberts or fax it to 818.654.1772.  

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No-Cost Professional Assistance for Organizations
Phillips Organizational Consulting doctoral students are looking for internships at local businesses and nonprofits to complete professional development hours. If you know of a business or organization that could use help with marketing, branding, mission development, database managements, etc., please call Michelle Browning at 818.654.1734.

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Get Involved

Alumni Association
The Alumni Association is a networking and service organization made up of graduates of Phillips and former CalFam trainees dedicated to serving the community. Simply joining the Alumni Association is a wonderful way to support Phillips as it continues its mission of education, training and community service. Benefits also include:

  • Free or discounted admission to Alumni Association events
  • Up to 6 hours of free Spring workshops (some restrictions apply)
  • Phillips Library membership and full access ($100 value)
  • Inclusion in the Alumni Referral Directory - in development
  • Discounted Continuing Education classes and workshops
  • 10% discount at the Phillips Student Store
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Help MFT Students Get Their Hours
Providing MFT students with therapy on a sliding scale is a great way to give back to Phillips students and to the mental health profession. The MA in Psychology program requires students to experience their own personal therapy prior to graduation. Please email Lisa Wolfe, MFT Clinical Training Coordinator, at lwolfe@pgi.edu to be added to the Psychotherapist Directory.

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Be a Hero:
Get help with your taxes and help Phillips at the same time!
H&R Block will donate $25 to Phillips for each member of the community who has their 2007 personal income tax return prepared by them. Just submit one of the green or yellow flyers that are available all over campus, and if you are a new client, H&R Block will send Phillips $25. That’s all you have to do.

It’s a great way to support Phillips, and it won’t cost you anything extra. To make an appointment or locate an office, call 1-800-HRBLOCK or visit hrblock.com. 

Download the flyer, or contact the Office of Advancement at 818.654.1753.

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Escrip:
Make the Money You Spend Work Harder Than Ever Before
You can earn money for student scholarships by shopping at your favorite local businesses, such as Sahara Restaurant, Bristol Farms, Howe’s Eddie Bauer, Macy’s and Baja Fresh. Just register your credit and debit cards with eScrip. These and other companies will reward your customer loyalty by automatically contributing a percentage of your purchase to Phillips Graduate Institute for student scholarships.

Register now at www.eScrip.com and get two coupons for free tacos from Baja Fresh. For more information, download the flyer.

**Special thanks to Baja Fresh for their support of Phillips Graduate Institute**

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Recycle Ink Cartridges and Cell Phones for Student Scholarships
Phillips is recycling old ink cartridges and cell phones to help raise money for student scholarships. Just bring any kind of ink cartridge or cell phone and take it to the Office of Advancement (near Student Affairs). For more information, call Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753.

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Writing for the E-Bulletin
We’re always seeking articles written by our alums for the e-Bulletin. Please send reprints (with permission) or your original work to: Francine Roberts at 818.654.1753 or froberts@pgi.edu.

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Continuing Education

Partner and Spousal Abuse
Instructor: Kendall Evans, M.A.
PSY 646X
June 8 & 22, 2008 (2 days/15 hrs)
9:00am – 5:30pm
Fee: $250; Students $225

Aging and Long-Term Care Workshop
Instructor: Bunni Dybnis, M.A.
PSY 640X
July 20 & 27, 2008 (2 days/10hours)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (July 20, 6 hours), 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (July 27, 4 hours)
Fee: $175; Students $150

Child Abuse
Instructor: Mary Alvin Nichols, M.S.
PSY 642X
August 5, 2008
9:00am – 5:00pm (7 hours)
Fee: $150; Students $125

Working with Children- Social Skills and Violence Prevention
Instructor: Fereshteh Mazdyasni, M.A.
PSY 613X
May 22 – July 10, 2008
10:00am – 2:00pm (approximately 30 hours)
Fee: $475; Students $425

Co-Occurring Disorders Program
Counseling the Chemically Dependent and Their Families
Instructor: Susan Musetti, M.A.
PSY603X
May 12 to August 11, 2008
7:00pm – 10:00pm (approximately 45 hours)
Fee: $750; Students $695

Fundamentals of Child Development
PSY 621X
Independent Study - 1 unit
No CEUs
Fee: Students $225

Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology
PSY 620X
Independent Study - 1 unit
No CEUs
Fee: Students $225

For more information, see the Continuing Education pages.

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NEWS & EVENTS
MFT Courses for CEUs This Summer (details)

“I Am an Art Therapist,” Currently on Display (details)

An Evening of Wine