Affiliated COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES (ACRS)

                                                              2615 Three Oaks Rd. Ste 2A;  Cary, IL 60013

                               www.carypsychology.com 847 275 8236 (24 Hrs); drmike@carypsychology.com

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Doctoral degree: University of Southern California, 1975

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Counseling, Therapy and

Expert Evaluations for: 

- ADHD - Alcohol -Substance Abuse -Anger - Fitness for Duty - Disability -Adoption 

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 Questions? Call  Dr Mike NOW: 

                    847 275 8236 (24 Hrs)

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-from Crystal Lake, Elgin, Dundee, Huntley and McHenry, IL-

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People who are court-ordered to obtain a psychological evaluation because of domestic violence are often under considerable stress. This is because of the possibility of jail time, effects of asset distribution during a divorce, child custody issues, expensive attorneys fees and the endless questions and court appearances that are required.

They are usually required to undergo a psychological assessment to determine if they are a danger to themselves, their spouse or their kids and to help determine what the legal consequences of their actions should be. These could range from prison time, to probation, to community service and even result in loss of custody of the kids.

The psychological assessment is meant to shed light on legal responsibility and the psychological and mental fitness of the subject to fulfill the responsibilities of parenthood and family living in a safe, sober and healthy way. If you are charged with domestic violence and are required to get a psychological assessment, you need to get a respected, seasoned psychologist to do it for you.

There are crucial advantages in hiring the right evaluator and the best one to do the job is a clinical psychologist? The psychologist is the most highly trained expert in psychology and psychological assessments, having completed from 6 to 7 years of specialized college and post-graduate training in psychology and the administration of psychological evaluations.

The psychologist also has a doctoral degree. If you need a psychological evaluation because of domestic violence, get a psychologist who has at least 20 years experience in testing and in doing therapy with families and children .

The right psychologist will not demonize or judge you, but will help you to feel relaxed and will simplify the process for you. He or she will also attempt to make your evaluation one that is convenient and efficient, while also generating scientifically reliable results that are accurate, complete and influential with the court.

Remember: You do not want an ordinary psychiatrist, counselor or social worker to do the report; they have no significant training in the testing and evaluation process. You also do not want to hire a novice or any professional who will not respect your time, feelings or your worries about your situation.

You want the court to look favorably upon your report and not require you to have it re-done. Therefore, it is all the more important to have it done by a fully licensed and experienced psychologist.

Since the psychologist is the most highly educated of all mental health professionals where psychological assessments are concerned, your report will be viewed as highly accurate, clear and very balanced. Consequently, your attorney and the court will view it as highly influential and authoritative.

The report will address your coping skills, emotional stability, frustration tolerance and ability to manage your anger. Note that the right psychologist may not only specialize in testing those involved in domestic violence, but may also have expertise in family counseling, anger management, parenting and child psychology.

Indeed, the more expertise he has in family psychology,impulse control and anger management issues, the more interested the court will be in his findings. Your evaluating psychologist may also refer you to another counselor or therapist who will help you manage your anger and reduce the stress level caused by your family issues and legal problems.

If it is necessary that your domestic violence evaluator provide a deposition or testify in court, or if the violence or charges also involved the possession of drugs, alcohol abuse or anything to do with psychiatric problems or substance abuse, a clinical psychologist will be considered to be one of the most qualified professionals to provide your assessment. You have to consider a few things when considering hiring a professional to do your domestic violence evaluation.

It is very important that your examining psychologist has many years of proven experience in dealing with cases such as yours and does not have any complaints pending against his license with the state regulatory board. He should also be in good standing with any professional organizations to which he belongs.

It is also very important to communicate openly and honestly during your domestic violence evaluation. If it is discovered that you were dishonest or trying deliberately to skew the results in a certain way, it will reflect very badly on your case.

Remember, clinical psychologists are THE experts in providing state-of-the-art and scientifically-based psychological evaluations that judges, courts and attorneys alike respect and heed.

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About the Author:

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo, Woodstock and Lake-in-the-Hills. He provides domestic violence evaluations, day and evening appts and accepts all insurance. Call 1 847 275 8236 or learn more at: http://www.carypsychology.com

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               Return to:  Articles: DUI, Domestic Violence and other Court-Ordered Counseling and Assessments

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Questions? Call  Dr Mike NOW: 

                    847 275 8236 (24 Hrs)

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