Welcome to the new web site of Beacon Behavioral Services, guiding you through the process of change. We invite you to explore our site and to let us know how we can be of help to you or your organization.

Our services
Beacon Behavioral Services offers a wide range of professional services in our offices, conveniently located in Avon, Glastonbury,and Bloomfield, Connecticut. Ample free parking and a comfortable setting await your visit.

Introduction

Family reunification is the process whereby any family members, including children and parents who are estranged from one another, can work on their relationship to rebuild communication and trust, and reconnect.

Discussions about reunification often overlook the detailed and complicated process necessary to successfully unify a family. The impacted family members are often the only identified participants when, in fact, to be successful, all family members and relevant professionals must participate in a strategic and therapeutic process.

Restoring a loving relationship in a family is a formidable task. For judges, attorneys,  therapists, mediators, custody evaluators and forensic specialists who have dealt with the truly striking behavior of a distanced or defiant child, the sorrow and confusion of a rejected parent, or the deeply entrenched anger of a brother or sister, the need for an intervention is not a question. It is critically important. 

Program Features

The process of family reunification at Beacon Behavioral Services, LLC begins by conducting an assessment, including but not limited to the following steps:

• Discuss the case with referral sources to determine if the program is appropriate for this family
• Interview each relevant family member
• Interview the child/children (parent/child reunification)
• Interview both parents separately and together (parent/child reunification)
• Gather collateral data
• Meet with the attorneys involved
• Identify the dynamics of the case
• Assess motivation of participants
• Develop a family reunification plan of action
• Distribute periodic updates to family and involved professionals

The actual reunification process takes a coordinated and systemic approach from the perspective of the family, mental health and legal systems. It is a process that can take a significant amount of time to achieve. Treatment must begin slowly and purposefully and also take into account developmental and emotional factors. Reunification must be individualized to fit each unique situation. Follow-up treatment is essential to monitor progress and avoid relapse.

All family members will comply with the following:

• If applicable, court-ordered participation in the reunification process
• Full releases of information exchanged between all parties
• The reunification therapist will be authorized to determine the reunification plan and to modify it based on the needs of the family. This should be in collaboration with the court and subject to the court’s enforcement thereof.  
• Compliance with the therapist’s recommendation will be monitored

Each family member may need to be involved in separate individual treatment prior to and during the reunification process. The reunification therapist must have contact with these therapists for feedback. The reunification therapist will need to meet with each family member, leading up to the eventual initial meeting between the distanced members. The legal system needs to support the process and require each person to engage in the reunification process until the reunification therapist deems that termination is appropriate.

In summary, an organized and planned reunification program can help to decrease litigation and allow families to resolve the issues which may have caused the separation. If implemented systematically, a reunification program can provide families with the opportunity to lead normal lives in harmony.

Cost

The cost of the program is $210 per one-hour session. A retainer equivalent to 6 sessions will be required, totaling $1260. A credit card can remain on file or a prepayment can be made. The fee should be split according to the assigned % for each parent.

For More Information or to Discuss a Case:
Please call Sandy Pelletier at (860) 676-9350, Ext. 27.

 

Program Clinicians
        
Donald E. Topor, L.C.S.W.                            
Offices:  Avon, Bloomfield, Glastonbury 

Heather Quinlan, L.C.S.W.
Offices:  Avon, Bloomfield

Wendy F. Habelow, Ph.D.
Office:  Avon