The Coastal Clinicians Group is a practice that offers clinical assessments, client support, service coordination, and therapy to individuals involved in child welfare, custody, guardianship, and other family law matters. As approved vendors with the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), we work closely with family law attorneys to help their clients overcome barriers, access resources, and make meaningful progress to achieve their goals.
Our Areas of Expertise
We offer specialized services across the spectrum of family law, providing clinical expertise and support to attorneys and the parents and children they represent in complex legal and family matters.
Parenting Capacity Evaluations
Parenting Capacity Evaluations are comprehensive forensic assessments designed to evaluate a parent’s ability to safely and effectively meet the emotional, developmental, psychological, educational, and physical needs of a child.
Bonding and Attachment Assessments
Bonding and Attachment Assessments evaluate the quality, strength, and nature of the relationship between a child and caregiver.
Social Work Advocacy
Social Work Advocacy services are designed to support children, parents, and families throughout their involvement in complex court-related matters.
Home Studies
Home Studies are structured assessments of a proposed caregiving environment conducted in matters involving guardianship, custody, kinship placement, foster care, adoption, or reunification.
Guardian ad Litem Investigations
Guardian ad Litem investigations are court-appointed assignments through the Probate and Family Court involving a comprehensive assessment of family dynamics, parenting capacity, child developmental needs, and factors relevant to the best interests of the child. Findings and recommendations are provided to assist the Court in making decisions regarding custody, parenting time, and other family law matters.
Domestic violence risk assessments
Domestic violence risk assessments are specialized evaluations designed to identify the presence, severity, and potential future risk of intimate partner violence, coercive control, stalking, intimidation, and related safety concerns.
Family Reunification
Family reunification planning services are designed to support the safe and successful return of children to the care of a parent or caregiver.
Therapy
Trauma-informed, supportive psychotherapy that helps individuals and families increase insight, strengthen coping skills, address challenges, and achieve treatment goals.
What Attorneys Say
Jay Clark, Esq. Attorney at Law, Former Resource Attorney for Hamden County
"The court system can be overwhelming for clients. Coastal Clinicians Group provides a level of intensive support by meeting clients exactly where they are with fierce empathy and zero judgement. This unwavering presence builds trust with clients who have had previous negative experiences with institutional systems, giving them increased confidence to engage meaningfully in their own defense. This practice's extensive knowledge of community resources and institutional gaps allows them to secure the exact supports clients need to thrive. The professionals at Coastal Clinicians Group are not just support specialists, they can be an indispensable litigation partner and an absolute asset to any defense team.”
Susan Taylor, Esq.
Defense Attorney
"Dr. Clark brings a level of professionalism and expertise that is difficult to find. Her ability to assess family dynamics and bond and attachment relationships provides valuable insight in complex custody and parenting disputes. Her reports are comprehensive, well-organized, and grounded in sound clinical judgment."
Alan Leslie Rosenfield, Esq.
Litigation Specialist
"I have worked with forensic social workers for many years, and what sets this practice apart is their ability to translate complex clinical information into practical recommendations that are useful to attorneys, judges, and families. Their work is trauma-informed and consistently of the highest quality."
M. Cruz, Esq.
Defense Attorney
"I have experience working with Ellen and Karen. Their ability to navigate complex family histories and assist families has been vital in my practice. Their expertise brings effective intervention and valuable insight that informs me in my work with children and families."