Premela G. Deck, JD, PhD, LICSW
Founding CEO Of SDFS, Family Law Attorney
Clinical And Forensic Social Worker
Contact Dr. Premela G. Deck
Phone: (781) 828-7660
Fax: (781) 712-1234
Email: premela@sdfsmass.com
Informed by her experience as a family law attorney, Premela has a robust forensic social work practice. She primarily serves as a custody evaluator (GAL), parenting coach, or therapist for high-conflict families, couples, or individuals who frequently find themselves affected by family court. Premela has extensive training and experience as a therapist for parent-child contact problems (“reunification therapy”). She is a prior Director of the William James High Conflict Parenting Education Program, a service offered for co-parents to attend jointly to improve their co-parenting. She is a frequent presenter for MCLE (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education), AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), and other organizations dedicated to the overlap of law and mental health. Premela’s research focuses on high conflict families, resist and refuse dynamics, parent competencies, and forensic mental health during separation and divorce.
Premela received her BA from Mount Holyoke College; her MSW from Springfield School of Social Work; her JD, cum laude, from Western New England School of Law; and her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work. Premela completed a one-year fellowship with William James College on conducting child custody investigations and earned a certificate from William James College in child and family forensics. Premela’s experience as an attorney, clinician, and researcher informs all of her work and allows her to provide a holistic approach to cases that is both evidence- and client-driven.
Premela is on the board of directors of the Massachusetts chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (“AFCC”) and is a prior member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem (“MAGAL”). Premela previously clerked for the Supreme Court of North Carolina and has taught as an adjunct professor in the Master’s of Social Work programs at Bridgewater University School of Social Work, the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill School of Social Work, and Boston College School of Social Work.
Premela provides expert testimony; training and mentorship on high-conflict family dynamics and child custody evaluations; supervision for social workers; and consultation on doctoral research projects.
Premela does not accept insurance and she is an approved CPCS Vendor.
