Mark E Prange Ph.D.
Serving Tampa, FL
Forensic Psychologist in Tampa, FL
Parenting Plan evaluations
Parenting Plan evaluations are conducted independently through Court appointment. These comprehensive evaluations involve all members of the family unit, including the children. A multi-trait multi-method approach for data collection is utilized in order to make recommendations to the Courts regarding what is in the best interest of the children for parenting responsibility time and other services that may be needed.
Parenting Plan evaluations are based on the premise that specific issues need to be examined from multiple information sources using various methodologies, consistent with the multi-trait multi-method approach. Analyzing issues from several different perspectives results in an increase in the reliability of the information obtained and the validity of conclusions generated.
This convergent model of data collection has gained professional support and agreement over the past five years and has been identified by forensic psychologists[1] as the model that best serves the evidentiary needs of the Court. The American Psychological Association[2] and the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists[3] have included this model in the recommended ethical standards and professional practice guidelines for conducting forensic evaluations.
Parent Coordination
Divorce can have devastating effects on children that are often reflected in the child’s emotional and behavioral functioning, self esteem, school performance, familial relationships, peer relationships, and future personal relationships. Children who are exposed to continuous high conflict between their parents often fare much worse and may have difficulties in their relationships once they are adults. Research supports the level of conflict between the parents is the major contributing factor to a child’s emotional adjustment after divorce.
High conflict and power struggles between parties create a tumultuous emotional climate that negatively impacts their ability to work together. To reduce the level of conflict between the parties, the negative interpersonal dynamics of the relationship need to be transcended. The parties will learn about the patterns of their conflict and its effect on their relationship. Mindfulness strategies will be developed to improve communication, cooperation, and commitment to core values.
Parents who are willing and able to communicate and co-parent in a positive fashion can help their children immensely. Through Parent Coordination, parents can learn how to use conflict in a healing and healthy way, learn how to become more intentional rather than reactive, and can discover ways to step out of power struggle with the opposite parent rather than be controlled by it. Learning to get along for the best interest of the child is indeed possible and serves as an important role model for the children. Although, at times, the process may be very challenging, it will provide parents with an awareness of options for behaving, relating, and understanding differently.
The parent coordination helps clients create the most effective parenting plan that will best serve the developmental and psychological needs of their children. Parent coordination services are tailored to meet the needs of the specific family and are available through individual and joint sessions. Participation in Parent Coordination services can be voluntary or court ordered.
Collaborative Law
The collaborative law process allows divorcing parties to develop solutions that best meet their needs while controlling the outcome. The process gives both parties a chance to be heard as well as listen to the perspective of the other party. It is a value driven process that enables the parties to work out their differences in productive ways that minimize disruption and escalation of conflict. The process is based on fairness, trust, respect, non-judgment, and what is in the best interest of the parties.
The overall goal is to assist the clients in reaching a positive resolution to their dissolution of marriage through the collaborative law divorce process. This resolution will minimize the negative economic, social, and emotional consequences a family often experiences in the traditional adversarial divorce process.
Dr. Prange’s role in the collaborative law process is to facilitate communication between the spouses, financial advisor, and both attorneys. Dr. Prange may provide education, guidance, and coaching; facilitate discussion about the parties’ needs and priorities; encourage compliance, and develop methods to improve the communication between the parties. The services are tailored to assist the parties reduce the power struggle between them so they may make decisions in a fashion consistent with their needs.
Family Law Mediation
Mediation is an empowering process in that it allows divorcing parties to determine the outcome of their divorce based on creative compromises. Dr. Prange’s role in mediation is an impartial and neutral third party who helps to identify issues, reduce obstacles to communication, explore settlement options, and foster joint problem solving. Mediation gives divorcing parties the opportunity to make decisions for their family versus the Courts making the same decisions that will impact all family members for many years to come. The mediation process is confidential and not open to discovery by the Courts.
Evaluative Mediation
Evaluative Mediation is a combination of family law mediation and a parenting plan evaluation not just facilitated mediation. This hybrid service is settlement focused and designed for families who need assistance resolving parenting plan disputes but want the help to occur outside of the court room as well as want to remain in control of the outcomes.
Forensic-based procedures commonly seen in parenting plan evaluations are utilized to conduct an “evaluative mediation”. In evaluative mediation, Dr. Prange will be acting in the role of a Parenting Plan Consultant who proposes options to resolve the case. These options are derived from the data collected and represent solutions that address the common underlying interests of the family, particularly the children’s need for cooperative involvement with both parents.
The Evaluative Mediation process is confidential and utilized for settlement purposes only. All members of the family, including the children, are interviewed. The voice of the children is extremely important in Evaluative Mediation. A written report of the process is not completed rather a Parenting Plan is crafted that identifies the agreements and decisions made by the parents.
[1] Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychologist (1991). Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists. Law and Human Behavior, 15:6, 655-665.
[2] American Psychological Association (2010), Guidelines for child custody evaluations in divorce proceedings. American Psychologist, Vol. 65, No. 9, 863-867.
[3] Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychologist (1991). Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists. Law and Human Behavior, 15:6, 655-665.
Reviews
Professional and Caring
Dr.Prange goes above and beyond for his patients. He truly is an expert in his field.
Professional
Great service, Dr.Prange goes above and beyond for his patients.
A CARING PROFESSIONAL
It was great to find a professional that is willing to go above and beyond to help individuals. I believe that Dr.Prange works hard and truly cares for each individuals problems. Doing the right thing in each case is first in his profession.
Could not have survived this process without Dr. Prange
Navigating through the divorce process is emotionally draining and mentally exhausting. Having Dr. Prange's help managing the stress for myself has been life saving and life changing. He's always been accommodating to my schedule when I needed to see him. He not only understands the psychological toll divorce has on the human spirit but also the long term impact it has on our children. I'm a better parent thanks to his guidance.
Highly Recommend
Dr. Prange is a very knowledgeable, professional provider. He is very thorough He makes an effort to be available and flexible with scheduling needs. His experience with complex relationship/ family law issues helped me work through a complex , difficult parenting situation. I highly recommend him and greatly appreciate his help.
Tampa's top Psychologist
Dr. Mark Prange is one of the best psychologists in Tampa.
Very Professional
Dr. Prange is a great doctor and very professional at what he does.
Highly Recommend
I Highly recommend Dr. Prange
Great Doctor!
Absolutely great doctor!
Excellent & Professional Psychologist
Dr. Prange was my Parent Coordinator and was instrumental in facilitang co-parenting and unification with my children.
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