Therapeutic Supervised Visitation

Written By SVT Team

What is Therapeutic Supervised Visitation?

Therapeutic supervised visitation (TSV) is a type of visitation that takes place in either the home or at a neutral location. This form of intervention is used to address barriers, promote safety, permanency, and improve the well-being for children. This approach has been used for many years to help children and families who have experienced traumatic events, such as domestic violence and/or child abuse.

Who Therapeutic Supervised Visitation is for?

TSV is designed to help parents understand how their behavior affects their children and other family members. This method offers parents the opportunity to learn more about themselves, their children, ways to improve their communication skills and parenting practices. Therapeutic Supervised Visitation allows parents to spend time with their children in a safe and controlled environment.  

Therapeutic supervision can be done in one-on-one sessions or family sessions with both the parents and their children present. In these sessions, the therapist works with all parties involved to help them learn how to communicate better with each other and resolve their differences peacefully. This process takes time and patience, but it can be very beneficial in helping everyone involved to better understand what caused the issues in the first place and how to avoid them in the future.

Why Therapeutic Supervised Visitation is Important?

 Therapeutic supervision is especially helpful when there are concerns about:

• A child's safety
• An ongoing conflict between parents
• A parent's inability to manage their own stress and emotions
• A parent's mental health issues that could impact the child 

Direct observation of parenting practices is essential to improve family relationships. Specific issues that prevent bonding and attachment with children are typically addressed during supervised visitation as well. TSV enables a parent to visit their children in a safe and appropriate environment with supervision made by a qualified mental health professional.

The therapist may invite the parent to meet separately from their children to provide ideas for a successful visit or education on building their parent-child relationship. The utmost priority of Therapeutic Supervision Visitation is the safety and care of the children. This type of supervision is to ensure that the children feel comfortable and do not experience any distress during their visit.

A number of studies have shown that Therapeutic Supervised Visitation can be an effective tool for reducing conflict between parents and provide the child with a stable environment. TSV also brings an opportunity for parents to practice positive behaviors with their children.

By meeting with a professional regularly you will have the opportunity to talk about your progress and any issues that arise within your family unit. You will also benefit from guidance regarding how to best manage specific situations that may arise within your family.

How to Get Therapeutic Supervised Visitation

Therapeutic supervised visitation is commonly ordered through a legal process and there may be abuse or parental conflict involved in the process. Whenever there is an indication of trauma, abuse, or excessive conflict this type of visitation can be warranted and effective. Upon completion of Therapeutic Supervised Visitation, a report can be written with an assessment and next steps.

Here is a Self-Help Guide to Supervised Visitation from the Judicial Brand of California. 

If you are outside of the state of California we advice you look into state's government website for details on what is required for Supervised Visitation.  

How We Can Help You

When you feel like the world is falling apart around you, it's hard to know where to turn.

You're not alone—and we want to help.

Silicon Valley Therapy offer Therapeutic Supervised Visitation with mental health professionals who are highly skilled in working with families and children. Therapeutic supervised visitation is not a replacement for family therapy, reunification therapy, or individual therapy. If you are uncertain about what services are best for you, contact us for a free consultation so we can help guide you to the best service to meet your needs.