Divorce and separation bring emotional challenges, but at the heart of it all, a family remains a family. In this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista interviews Dr. Premela Deck, a Boston-area family law attorney and forensic social worker with a Ph.D. in her field. Dr. Deck has dedicated her career to integrating law and mental health to help families navigate conflict in a healthier way. Her expertise spans multiple roles—she serves as a litigator, mediator, parenting coordinator, and guardian ad litem while also working as a therapist and custody evaluator for high-conflict families. Her unique approach helps bridge the gap between legal and mental health professionals to ensure that children’s needs remain the top priority in family disputes.
During their conversation, Krista and Dr. Deck explore the challenges of forensic mental health work, including the reluctance of professionals to take on these cases and the difficulties in securing insurance coverage for treatment. Dr. Deck highlights the disconnect between legal and psychological language and the importance of bridging that gap to create better outcomes for families. She also introduces therapeutic jurisprudence—a reform approach that shapes law based on mental health understanding—and shares the nationally available programs she uses to support high-conflict co-parenting. Krista and Dr. Deck discuss strategies for fostering respect between co-parents, addressing parent-child contact issues with nuance, and managing conflict in a way that prioritizes children’s well-being.
Dr. Deck shares more with Krista about the following points:
- Dr. Deck recognized that traditional legal approaches often overlooked the mental health needs of individuals involved in family disputes. This realization led her to integrate social work and law, ensuring that families receive both legal guidance and emotional support.
- Many mental health professionals avoid court-involved cases due to the complexity and risk of professional grievances. Dr. Deck highlights the need for specialized training to prepare professionals for this challenging yet essential work.
- Mental health services in family court cases are rarely covered by insurance, making access difficult for many families. Individuals often rely on private pay options without a formal diagnosis, limiting their ability to receive necessary support.
- Dr. Deck emphasizes the importance of therapeutic jurisprudence, which applies mental health principles to reshape legal practices. Courts can create more effective and humane solutions for families by understanding the emotional impact of legal proceedings.
- Dr. Deck’s practice offers a range of support, including family therapy, co-parenting coaching, and group programs. This multi-faceted approach helps families navigate conflict while addressing legal and psychological needs.
- Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Deck tailors interventions to each family’s unique circumstances. She emphasizes the importance of small, gradual steps to rebuild parent-child relationships in high-conflict cases.
- Ongoing conflict between parents can lead to long-term emotional and behavioral challenges for children. Dr. Deck stresses the importance of modeling healthy conflict resolution to support children’s well-being.
- Dr. Deck has developed the nation’s only postdoctoral program focused on forensic family law. This specialized training equips mental health professionals with the skills to effectively navigate high-conflict family court cases.
Don’t miss this conversation with Dr. Premela Deck and her innovative approach to divorce and separation.
If you want to learn more about The Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/family-restructuring-post-divorce-with-dr-premela-deck.