We believe children's perspectives matter. When parents separate or divorce, children can feel torn by loyalty conflicts and may struggle to share their true feelings.
Older children often want more say in decisions that affect their lives. Research shows that when children have the chance to express their views, parents are more likely to:
- Reach agreements outside of court
- Reduce conflict
- Create parenting plans that children will follow
Our Voice of the Child services provide a safe, neutral space for children to share their perspectives. Parents gain valuable insights that help them create more thoughtful, child-centered post-separation plans.
What Is the "Voice of the Child" Approach?
Voice of the Child is a structured, child-focused service that ensures children’s wishes, feelings, and perspectives are heard in separation and divorce planning.
It is not about making the child choose sides. Instead, it’s about:
- Reducing loyalty conflicts
- Helping children feel heard and respected
- Equipping parents to make informed, child-centered decisions
Voice of the Child Report
A Voice of the Child Report provides parents and attorneys with an independent summary of a child’s views on family issues.
It is not a full psychological evaluation or best-interest analysis. Instead, it offers:
- A neutral, professional perspective on the child's expressed wishes
- Insights to support thoughtful, collaborative parenting plans
Eligibility: For children aged 7 and older
What to Expect
Our process typically includes:
- Review of relevant family materials
- Brief individual meetings with each parent
- 2–3 independent (and joint, if appropriate) meetings with each child
- A written report summarizing the child’s expressed wishes and recommendations to help resolve co-parenting disputes
This report can be shared with parents and their attorneys to inform settlement discussions and parenting plans.
Voice of the Child in Mediation
How does this work?
Our clinicians can meet with children on specific issues identified by the parents or attorneys. Then, they participate in mediation sessions with the child's wishes in mind.
Benefits:
- Helps parents create child-centered solutions
- Useful for collaborative parents seeking respectful input from children
- Examples: Developing holiday schedules with the child’s input
Parenting Plan / Co-Parent Consulting
What is Parenting Plan Consulting?
SDFS clinicians often serve as neutral co-parenting consultants. They are hired jointly by both parents (and their attorneys) to provide recommendations on parenting plans or disputes.
Typical Consulting Process:
- Joint meeting with both attorneys to define the scope
- Individual meetings with parents
- Possible interviews with children (if needed)
- Collateral contacts (e.g., school or health professionals, if appropriate)
- Consultant reviews all information and prepares preliminary findings
- Joint meeting with parents/attorneys to discuss recommendations
Key Benefits:
- Collaborative approach outside of court
- Neutral professional input
- Opportunity to include children’s perspectives without a costly custody evaluation
Voice of the Child Advocates
Our clinicians and attorneys are highly experienced in ensuring children’s voices are respectfully included in family resolution processes.
Services Include:
- Voice of the Child in Mediation
- Child meets with a clinician to discuss specific topics
- Clinician participates in mediation to represent the child's expressed wishes
- Helps parents design plans children will accept and follow
- ARC (Attorneys Representing Children)
- Our attorneys are often appointed as ARC counsel in family cases
- ARC counsel represents the child's voice independently
- Not about choosing a side between parents
- Especially appropriate for older children who want meaningful input
Why Choose SDFS for ARC Work?
- Our attorneys have deep experience in both legal and therapeutic settings
- They understand child development, communication, and family dynamics
Why Include Your Child’s Voice?
- Helps children feel heard, reducing stress and conflict
- Supports parents in creating workable, child-focused plans
- Improves long-term compliance with parenting plans
- Demonstrates respect for your child’s experiences during a challenging time
Client Testimonials
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for providing the Guide to Aligning Professionals that you recently offered in the latest AFCC newsletter.
I am a therapist and my husband is a family law attorney, and we have lamented for years on how difficult it is to get professionals to collaborate for the good of children and families in these types of cases. he guide is well-written and quite comprehensive. The summary tables, definitions of terms and roles, and sample language for court orders were great pieces to include. I also appreciated the acknowledgement that many cases do not present with adequate resources to include the multiple professionals that would make everyone’s roles easier to clarify. That is the situation nearly all of the time here in outstate Nebraska, where my husband and I live and practice. We often struggle with the silo approach and with dual roles that muddy the waters. I plan to keep this guide handy and use it to illustrate points, as needed along the way, with parents and fellow therapists.
I printed your guide just now and plan to read it at home tonight and share it with my husband. Here’s the guide.
Melissa Adams, LICSW
On behalf of the Society of Clinical & Child Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP) leadership, one of the goals for our organization was to make SCCAP more relevant and valuable for our members – a reason to stay engaged with us beyond the student years. Our vision centered around offering impactful education, featuring content with real-world applicability, and inviting credible subject matter experts who not only share their expertise but also have A++ delivery. Dr. Deck’s presentation on therapeutic work with children and families of divorce embodied everything we had hoped for—and truly exceeded our expectations for the webinar program. The way you commanded the audience and delivered such practical, insightful content was exactly what our webinar program needed and I think is a huge boost for our members.
Dr. Adam Lewin
I had the great pleasure of working with Premela in her new clinical mediation program. Not only is Premela an excellent mediator, she is also kind enough to devote her time and energy into developing new programming to support families and children in high conflict situations. Her ability to organize the thoughts and conflicting energies of her clients is very impactful and I am exceedingly grateful to have had the chance to learn from her techniques. I would recommend Premela and her practice for any matters of family law and/or clinical work. She knows what she’s doing, that’s for sure.
Columbia University Teachers College
Premela is amazing. Do not hesitate to use them. Thank you Premela for everything
Mike P.
Premela’s team is knowledgeable, professional, and respectful. 10 out of 10.
Matt W.
We are so lucky to have SD Family services in our community! The services and support they provide to families are unmatched.
Nora M.
Frequently Asked Questions
SD Family Services, Inc. is a unique group practice with a multidisciplinary approach to clinical and forensic services.
Ready to learn more or enroll in a program?
Our Programs Director, Jacqueline Cafaro, is happy to answer your questions.