Understanding Supervised Visitation
Supervised Visitation. Let’s have a chat. Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa family attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost eight years now, and I want to help you make law easy by talking about the different types of supervised visitation and how they might apply to you.
What is Supervised Visitation?
Supervised visitation isn’t just a one-size-fits-all approach. While many people assume it’s solely about protecting a child or making things more difficult for the parent, the reality is much more nuanced. There are different reasons and methods for supervised visitation, depending on the situation.
One common scenario is when there are credible concerns that a parent cannot safely care for their child. For example, if a parent is struggling with severe substance abuse — like being heavily addicted to meth — they may be unable to provide proper supervision. Similarly, if a parent is dealing with significant mental health issues that impair their ability to care for their child, the court may require supervision to ensure the child’s well-being.
Scenarios Requiring Supervised Visitation
Another situation where supervised visitation is often required is when a parent and child have been separated for a long period — months or even years. In these cases, the court won’t just throw the child into the parent’s care and hope for the best. Instead, a gradual reintroduction process is typically required.
For long-term separations, the court may order therapeutic visitation or reunification therapy. This is conducted by a licensed therapist, often one specializing in family reunification. These sessions occur a couple of times a week for several weeks or months, depending on the progress of the parent and child. The therapist facilitates their reconnection and determines when and how visits should progress.
Different Approaches to Supervised Visitation
On the other hand, if a parent has shown no ability to safely care for their child — due to serious drug use, a history of domestic violence, or other safety concerns—the court may require professionally supervised visitation. In these cases, visits take place in a controlled setting with a trained supervisor who ensures the child’s safety throughout the interaction.
For less severe concerns, where the court believes the parent has the potential to step up but may need some oversight, non-professional supervision might be an option. This could involve a trusted family member or friend supervising the visits instead of a professional monitor.
Finding the Right Solution
Ultimately, the type of supervised visitation depends on what the child needs to feel safe while maintaining a relationship with their parent. If you have questions about supervised visitation and what options might be best for your situation, I’d be happy to discuss it with you and help find the right solution to protect your child while fostering their relationship with their parent.
Schedule a Strategy Session Today
My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa visitation attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give me a call at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session and take the first step towards a favorable resolution.
