Sessions

Pre-Conference Institutes 1-2

10:30AM - 3:30PM

Institute 1. Responsible Record Keeping and Thorough Discovery Facilitate Settlement

Records obtained through discovery should include both quantitative and qualitative detail sufficient to understand the steps taken by evaluators to minimize cognitive bias, review the information considered, and develop focused questions for deposition. Such questions enable evaluators to articulate how their opinions were formulated. With this information available, attorneys are better able to guide their clients through substantive settlement discussions.
David A. Martindale, PhD, ABPP, St. Petersburg, FL
Chris Mulchay, PhD, ABPP, Asheville Testing, Asheville, NC
Holly M. Friedland, JD, Jacobs Berger, LLC, Morristown, NJ

Institute 2. Parenting is a Job; Post-Separation Parenting is a Job Share: A Tool for Parenting Plan Evaluators

A unique framework and method will be provided for evaluating parenting behaviors and skill. The framework views parenting as a job and post-separation parenting as a job-share. Both the parenting job description and the coparenting job-share description will be presented. Four elements common to best interest of the child standards found in various jurisdictions will also be discussed. This institute also explores the impact of parental animus and hostility on children as an intolerable conflict, and the impact children can have on the shared parenting relationship. The job description is defined along with the statutory, regulatory, ethical, and best practice foundations. Types of bias and logical fallacies are presented. This institute is appropriate for both new and experienced parenting plan evaluators (PPEs) seeking new information and a fresh perspective.
Allen L. Levy, MS, Generations Family Consulting, LLC, Anchorage, AK
Jaime Browning, LCSW, Anchorage, AK

Break

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Break

2:00PM - 2:30PM

Workshops 1-2

10:30AM - 12:00PM

1. A Review of Private Arbitration Panels Handling Custody Matters

The presenters will review and analyze the concept of private arbitration panels for handling custody matters. The workshop will include a review of cases from jurisdictions that permit arbitration, as well as cases in which custody has been arbitrated limited in scope to mediation. The presentation will focus on proposed models of conduct, the requirements of forensic evaluations, and the requirements for members of the arbitration panel to be a mental health professional or legal expert. The presenters will review private arbitration as a potential solution to the extreme backlogs in custody matters, highlighting how arbitration panels, with the consent of both parties, can effectuate a more timely result.
Martin E. Friedlander, JD, Yashar Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
Eric E. Friedlander, MS, Woodmere, NY

2. Promoting Youth Mental Health: Evidence-Based Interventions in Family Law

Discover four cutting-edge, research-informed programs being designed and evaluated to enhance youth mental health and ease the burdens on family courts. In this dynamic session, the panel reviews Project Brain Team, Peace, Family Compass, and the New Beginnings Program. Each offers innovative digital modules or structured interventions for children and parents navigating separation and divorce. Engage with interactive discussions, program previews, preliminary results, and hands-on activities that demonstrate how evidence-based strategies can bring meaningful change.
Sydney Parker, MS, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ
Disha Kotecha, MSc, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ
Karey L. O'Hara, PhD, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ
Colleen Sullivan, PhD, Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Break

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Opening Session

12:30PM - 2:00PM

From Forced to Invited: Trauma-Informed Accountability in Complex Parenting Plan Disputes

This workshop introduces a trauma-informed approach to promoting accountability in complex Parent-Child Contact Problems (PCCP). Learn how forced accountability strategies can activate resistance and how reframing accountability as an invitation to change can foster engagement and sustainable outcomes. Practical techniques for activating strengths, creating psychological safety, and addressing trauma driven behaviors will be demonstrated. Case examples involving PCCP will illustrate applications. This session offers creative interventions for supporting overwhelmed family court systems.
Michael A. Saini, PhD, MSW, RSW, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Leslie M. Drozd, PhD, Seattle, WA
Jennifer Harrison, PsyD, ABPP, Therapy Partners of the Peninsula, Burlingame, CA

Break

2:00PM - 2:30PM

Workshops 3-4

2:30PM - 4:00PM

3. Improving PPE Satisfaction, Efficiency, and Validity through Advance Orientation

More than fifty years of research in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and allied fields finds that when consumers complete a brief advance orientation to an upcoming service, they are more likely to be satisfied and the service is more likely to be time- and cost-efficient and effective. Advance orientation to court-related family law services is neither informed consent nor coaching. This session introduces Advance Orientation to family law professionals. Excerpts from the online programming now available will be shared. Research presently underway seeking to demonstrate the value of this programming among custody litigants in the best interests of their children will be reviewed.
Benjamin D. Garber, PhD, DefuseDivorce.com, Hollis, NH

4. Ethical Challenges: Older Families, Big Emotions, and Busy Courts

With numbers of older adults in the US and internationally increasing exponentially, it is likely that professionals and courts will have increasing exposure to those “sandwiched” between their children and aging parents, later-inlife parents, gray divorces, blended and stepfamilies, and surge of multi-generations residing in the same household. Who is watching as these exhaustive circumstances push the limits of caregiving both for children in the family and the older adult? This interactive workshop will focus on ethical challenges as attendees untangle strained relationships to reduce family conflict across generations.
Linda B. Fieldstone, MEd, Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination, Miami, FL
Sue Bronson, MSW, Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination, Milwaukee, WI

Workshops 5-6

10:30AM - 12:00PM

5. Missing the Mark: The Under Addressed Role of Stepfamilies

Stepparents play pivotal roles in raising children and stepfamily dynamics powerfully impact children’s wellbeing. Nonetheless, stepparents, and evidence-based guidance about meeting stepfamily challenges remain almost completely absent from court-ordered co-parenting, custody evaluations, family therapy orders, and books on parenting plans. This can often lead to children and families receiving less than ideal support when family dynamics are challenging. This workshop will provide an overview of what makes stepfamilies different and guidance on how therapists, parenting coordinators, and evaluators can best serve these families.
Premela Deck, JD, PhD, SD Family Services, Inc., Canton, MA
Patricia L. Papernow, EdD, Hudson, MA
Robin M. Deutsch, PhD, ABPP, Newton Centre, MA

6. So Much More Than the Voice of a Child: The Roles of the Guardian ad Litem in Family Court

The voice of the child can be critical for fully understanding the child’s perspective about their family’s path through family law proceedings toward an appropriate parenting plan in the best interests of that child. Guardians ad Litem (GALs) have slightly different roles across jurisdictions but offer so much more than just a regurgitation of a child’s view and desired outcome. The GAL is often the voice of reason and a reminder for feuding parents to refocus on the needs of the children, a quasi-evaluator who takes a behind-the scenes look at what is happening in the life of the child, and an advocate for outcomes that are truly in the child’s best interests. Join two seasoned GALs to explore the many functions associated with this role, and how to maximize the benefits for children and their families.
Dawn Smith, JD, Evolve Family Law, Atlanta, GA
Daniel Bloom, JD, Bloom Lines Alexander, Atlanta, GA

Break

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Plenary Session

12:30PM - 2:00PM

Convenience is the Mother of Bad Inventions

In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to believe that excellence is just a listserv post away. With a few quick keystrokes, we can access global expertise, crowdsource what research best informs our analysis, and let the hivemind build our strategy for the most complex tasks and cases. Need guidance? Just ask and watch the advice pour in. But hold on. Is it really that simple? Before we hit send, consider the responsibility that comes with it. What are the ethical, professional, and strategic considerations we as practitioners must consider?
Milfred “Bud” Dale, PhD, JD, Topeka, KS

Break

2:00PM - 2:30PM

Workshops 7-8

2:30PM - 4:00PM

7. Vulnerable Children and Families: Neurodivergence in Family Court Matters

The prevalence of neurodivergent children and families in family court proceedings is an area of increasing contention and complexity. The needs of neurodivergent children are nuanced, and their developmental outcomes rely on a complex interplay of individual, family and social factors. The needs of such children are often weaponized, misunderstood, and become secondary to co-parenting conflict. The presenter will discuss considerations for all staff working with vulnerable and complex families. Participants will increase their understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, attention, cognitive, speech, and learning differences across the developmental lifespan. Practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals in the family law context will also be discussed.
Stephanie Lau, MS, Vincent Papaleo and Associates, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

8. Statewide Legislation to Mandate Co-Parenting Education: Challenges and Strategy

This workshop will explore the development of a legislative proposal to mandate co-parenting education statewide in New York. There is strong evidence that high quality co-parenting programs help families going through the stress of divorce and separation. Most states and counties mandate attendance at a program after parents file. New York is one of the few and largest states that does not mandate parent education. A multidisciplinary group (judges, attorneys, psychologist) developed a detailed proposal for legislation for a statewide mandate. The expected resistance to the legislation was dealt with in a supporting memo with the proposal.
Donald A. Gordon, PhD, Center for Divorce Education, Ashland, OR
Hon. Richard A. Dollinger (Ret.), Supreme Court, 7th Judicial District, New York, NY
Dolores Gebhardt, JD, Goldschmidt & Genovese, Eastchester, NY
Lesley A. Friedland, JD, FamilyKind, New York, NY

Workshops 9-10

10:30AM - 12:00PM

9. Physically Safe Conflict Resolution: A Bias-Resistant Approach

Physical safety is important and often overlooked by conflict resolution practitioners due to an assumption that litigants who want to resolve their issues outside of court are less likely to experience family violence. Conflict resolvers need to plan for safety, establish their boundaries and contingencies in advance, and be aware of how biases present during in-the-moment reactions may undermine practical and higher-level safety considerations. Join a panel of conflict resolution professionals to explore important guidelines for eliminating biases and promoting safety during dispute resolution processes.
Marya Cody Kolman, JD, Supreme Court of Ohio, Columbus, OH
Susan M. Yates, BS, Oak Park, IL
Stephen Kotev, MS, Silver Spring, MD
Lewis Dabney, MS, Washington, DC

10. From Emotion to Resolution: Disclosure Meetings in High-Conflict Parenting Plan Disputes

This workshop explores the role of disclosure meetings as a verbal summary of parenting plan evaluations prior to writing the full report. Learn how these meetings promote transparency, reduce emotional intensity, and support informed decision-making. The session will address best practices for presenting findings, managing reactivity, and fostering respectful dialogue. Strategies for addressing cultural considerations and promoting procedural fairness will also be discussed. Ideal for evaluators, attorneys, and professionals working with families in conflict, this workshop emphasizes practical tools for moving cases toward resolution.
Laura J. Bradford, MA, LPCC, Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations, Cincinnati, OH
Kimberly A. Kent, MSW, LISW-S, Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations, Cincinnati, OH
Michael A. Saini, PhD, MSW, RSW, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Break

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Workshops 11-12

12:30PM - 2:00PM

11. Maximizing the Usefulness of Collateral Source Information

Presenters will discuss the selection of sources most likely to provide reasonably objective information. They will also highlight pre-interview procedures, with emphasis on risk management, methods for acquiring documents, and use of machine-generated documents such as those from healthcare facilities and law enforcement agencies, emails, texts, social media, audio, video, and artificial intelligence (AI). Emphasis will be placed on best practices for the collection of electronically stored information (ESI), and the ways in which ESI can be used to generate hypotheses and examine support for competing hypotheses.
Chris Mulchay, PhD, ABPP, Asheville Testing, Asheville, NC
David A. Martindale, PhD, ABPP, St. Petersburg, FL

12. Enhancing Parental Engagement in Schools: Innovative Solutions for Co-Parenting

This workshop will explore innovative solutions to enhance parental engagement in schools, focusing on the challenges faced by children splitting time between two homes. The presenter will introduce BeH2O for institutions, a framework that helps reduce conflict and improve co-parenting communication, and BeAligned, an AI-powered tool for schools and childcare providers to facilitate goal-aligned communication between parents. Attendees will gain practical insights on implementing these systems to foster collaboration, reduce tension, and support children’s emotional and academic growth in complex co-parenting environments.
Trina Nudson, JD, LBSW, The Layne Project, Inc., Olathe, KS

Break

2:00PM - 2:30PM

Workshops 13-14

2:30PM - 4:00PM

13. Court-Involved Therapy Guidelines Task Force Town Hall

This will be a town meeting/open forum regarding the revision and update of the AFCC Guidelines for Court- Involved Therapy. This program will include a general update as to the goals and purpose of the task force, the ethical, scientific, and legal underpinnings for the task force’s approach, and a moderated discussion of suggestions, concerns, and questions from attendees. Kathleen McNamara, PhD, Fort Collins, CO
Lyn R. Greenberg, PhD, ABPP, Los Angeles, CA
Erin Guyette, PhD, LMFT, Guyette Family Guidance, Maple Grove, MN

14. Interpreting Across Worlds: How Language Shapes Credibility in Parenting Plan Evaluations

This workshop explores how language fluency, speech patterns, and interpreter use affect credibility and fairness in parenting plan evaluations. It explores how limited English proficiency accented speech, or nonstandard English varieties (e.g., African American Vernacular English, Chicano English, Caribbean English), can lead to misjudgments about parenting capacity. The session outlines when interpreter services are ethically required and discusses how bias may persist even with trained interpreters. It explores race, class, and immigration in an intersectional discussion of linguistic privilege, offering tools for more equitable, culturally attuned, and linguistically responsive evaluations.
Chioma Ajoku, JD, PhD, ABPP, Forensic Psych Solutions, Brooklyn, NY

Workshops 15-16

10:30AM - 12:00PM

15. Beyond the Battle: Practical Interventions for Dispute Resolution

Tired of conflict dragging families deeper into court battles? Panelists will reveal how Delaware County Ohio, uses five targeted interventions—neutral evaluation, settlement week, co-parent coaching, brief family assessments, and disclosure meetings—to help litigants resolve disputes with clarity and efficiency. Hear how these tools move cases forward, reduce stress, and promote healthier outcomes for families. Walk away with fresh strategies you can use to support resolution beyond the courtroom.
Hon. Randall Fuller, Delaware County Common Pleas Court, Delaware, OH
Magistrate Larry McQuain, Delaware County Domestic Relations Court, Delaware, OH
Jamie Niesen, MA, MS, Niesen Resolution Services, Columbus, OH
Amy Armstrong, MSW, Delaware County Domestic Relations Court, Delaware, OH

16. From Conflict to Clarity: Writing and Debriefing Parenting Plan Evaluations to Promote Healing in Court-Involved Families

High-conflict custody disputes often prolong the stress and trauma for children and families navigating the court system. Parenting plan evaluations, while essential in providing data-informed recommendations, can unintentionally intensify family division when written or delivered in ways that heighten blame, competition, or adversarial narratives. This workshop is designed for family law professionals who seek to promote healing and faster resolution with more intentional writing and interpretive conferences. Emphasis is placed on using nonjudgmental, child-focused language, describing complex family dynamics with compassion, and framing recommendations around cooperation and intervention over blame.
April Harris-Britt, PhD, AHB Forensics and Consulting, Durham, NC

Break

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Workshops 17-18

12:30PM - 2:00PM

17. Ten Tips on Managing Clients in High-Conflict Cases Involving PCCP

This workshop equips practitioners with practical strategies to help clients manage stress, communicate effectively, and prioritize their children’s well-being during high-conflict divorces. Participants will learn how to establish boundaries with clients and utilize self-care to reduce emotional strain or secondary trauma. The session also explores the role of consultants in providing emotional support to clients, guidance on co-parenting strategies, and assistance with legal and financial matters. Ideal for legal and mental-health professionals, this workshop empowers attendees to navigate complex family dynamics and promote positive outcomes for children.
Ashish Joshi, LLM, Ann Arbor, MI
Hon. Dolores Bomrad (Ret.), Family Matters Resolution Services, Hubertus, WI
Robert Simon, PhD, San Diego, CA

18. Standardizing Forensic Evaluations: A Data-Driven Remedy for Overloaded Courts

This workshop will explore how the lack of standardization in forensic evaluations burdens courts and compromises family justice. Presenters will offer actionable strategies for improving referral practices, evaluator qualifications, and reporting methods. Evidence-based approaches will be shared to support fairer outcomes and ease strain on court systems. This session will include research findings, real-world examples, and a roadmap for interdisciplinary collaboration to promote consistent, transparent, and culturally sensitive practices in child custody, parenting, and risk-related assessments.
Lisa Long, PsyD, Dr. Long & Associates, Charlotte, NC
Marlena Ryba, PhD, Dr. Long & Associates, Charlotte, NC

Break

2:00PM - 2:30PM

Workshops 19-20

2:30PM - 4:00PM

19. AI is Not Coming—It’s Here: Rethinking Practice, Ethics, and Humanity in the Family Law Space

Join three thought leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) and the law to explore the critical challenges and opportunities that AI will present to professionals working in the family law space over the next decade. The panel will consider how emerging technologies may give rise to new forms of family violence, abuse, and coercive control, including digital surveillance, deepfakes, and algorithmic manipulation—and how legal systems can respond. Consider how AI and automation are reshaping the concept of leadership in family law, requiring new competencies in digital literacy, including with metaverse and other immersive technologies. The panel will examine how all family law practitioners will need to adapt their methods and ethical frameworks in response to AI-assisted tools and client expectations.
Hon. Tom Altobelli, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Amy J. Schmitz, JD, The Ohio State Moritz College of Law, Columbus, OH
Tania Sourdin, PhD, Univ. of Newcastle, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

20. The Benefits of Incorporating CPRT with Families in Conflict

Providing services for separated/divorced families brings special challenges, particularly when there is on-going conflict between parents or a parent-child contact problem has emerged. Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is an evidence-informed therapeutic intervention for working with families to increase parenting and communication skills, strengthen the parent-child bond, and provide emotional support to children struggling to adjust to the new family configuration. A traditional CPRT intervention takes only 10 weeks and can be offered virtually or in person and requires no special equipment for the parents or therapist.
Maria Curran, PhD, The Center for Creativity and Healing, Charlotte, NC
Keegie Berger, MA, The Center for Creativity and Healing, Charlotte, NC