Welcome to the Reunify Alaska FAQ page!

Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about our services and the field of forensic social work, which is a vital part of our mission to support families and individuals navigating complex legal and family dynamics.

General Information

What is Reunify Alaska? Reunify Alaska is founded and operated by Melissa Skarbek, LMSW, LCSW who has a specialized passion to helping individuals. In utilizing avenues of therapeutic, legal, and social support, she is committed to promoting positive outcomes for children, individuals, couples and families across Alaska.

Where are you located? Reunify Alaska is located in Anchorage, Alaska but serves families across the Nation, with both in-person and virtual support options to accommodate rural and out of state areas.

What makes Reunify Alaska unique? With specialization in combining therapeutic and forensic expertise to address dynamics within the personal or familial setting, Melissa has a vested interest in the betterment of her community and state.

Do you work with Native Alaskan families? Of course! Culturally sensitive services are available and can be tailored to meet the needs of Native Alaskan families, honoring their traditions, values, and community dynamics.

Can attorneys or courts refer clients to you? Absolutely! Cases are often referred through attorneys or court orders, however, clients outside of the legal arena are also encouraged to procure services independently.

Who can use your services? Forensic services are available to parents, guardians, children, and families involved in legal disputes, custody cases, or reunification processes. Collaboration often occurs with attorneys, courts, and other agencies within the scope of forensic social work roles offered. Therapeutic services are provided to individuals (children, teens, adults, couples and families) aged 5 to 50 years.

Forensic Social Work

What is forensic social work? Forensic social work is a specialized field that combines social work expertise with the legal and criminal justice systems. Forensic social workers play a critical role in legal proceedings, providing assessments, court testimony, advocacy, and conflict resolution services.

Who is a forensic social worker? A forensic social worker is a licensed professional with specialized training in legal systems and forensic practices. At Reunify Alaska, Melissa Skarbek, LMSW, LCSW, serves as the forensic social worker, collaborating with families, courts, and other professionals to address legal and family challenges.

How is forensic social work helpful in child custody cases? Forensic social workers provide unbiased assessments and recommendations based on a child’s best interests, which help courts make informed decisions regarding custody and visitation.

Do forensic social workers work with both parents in a case? Yes, forensic social workers remain neutral and work with both parents to understand family dynamics and provide fair, unbiased recommendations.

Are forensic social workers therapists? While many forensic social workers are trained therapists, their role in legal cases focuses on assessments, recommendations, and education rather than traditional therapeutic services. Melissa Skarbek, LMSW, LCSW also offers therapeutic services but this is outside of her forensic work.

Can forensic social workers testify in court? Yes, Melissa often serves as an expert witness, offering unbiased testimony based on her assessments and expertise.

Services

Can Reunify Alaska help with high-conflict custody situations? Yes, specialized services such as parenting coordination, custody investigations, and reunification therapy are designed to address the challenges of high-conflict cases and complex family dynamics.

What if one parent refuses to participate in services? While it is highly encouraged that both parents engage, services can still be provided to the willing parent or make recommendations to the court to address the lack of participation. However, for minor children the consent from both parents is required (outside of court orders stating otherwise) prior to effectuating therapy.

Do you work with children directly? Yes, many different services at Reunify Alaska involve working directly with children, including Reunification therapy, assessments, and supervised visitation.

Are your services court-ordered or voluntary? Both! Melissa works with court-referred families and those seeking voluntary support.

Do you offer virtual services? Yes, virtual sessions for families in remote areas or those preferring online support is available.

Costs and Payment

How much do your services cost? Fees for services are determined based on the specific type and scope of the service provided. Each case is unique, and costs are tailored to reflect the time, resources, and expertise required. For a detailed fee schedule or to discuss payment options, please reach out directly. This ensures transparency and helps provide clarity on what to expect.

Do you accept insurance? Currently, all forensic services are private/self pay. Therapeutic services, outside of Reunification and Co-parent Therapy, are typically covered under insurance. Reunify Alaska is in-network with Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, UMR, Meritain and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Do you offer financial assistance? Unfortunately Reunify Alaska does not offer financial assistance at this time.

Scheduling and Appointments

How do I schedule an appointment? You can schedule an appointment by calling 907.792.9226 or emailing Admin@reunifyalaska.com. If you would rather schedule online, the scheduling portal is also available and can be found on our Scheduling page of this website.

What is your cancellation policy? I require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations to avoid being charged a cancellation fee.

Supervised Visitation

What is supervised visitation? Supervised visitation provides a safe, structured environment where a parent can spend time with their child under the supervision of a trained professional.

Where are supervised visitations held? Visits are held at designated locations in the community, at the home of the individual needing supervision or in our Anchorage office. Virtual supervision is also available when appropriate.

When is supervised visitation necessary? Supervised visitation may be ordered when there are concerns about the safety or well-being of the child, such as in cases of:

• Allegations of abuse or neglect

• Domestic violence

• Substance abuse by a parent

• Reintroduction after a long absence

What happens during a supervised visit? Melissa Skarbek, LMSW, LCSW observes the interactions, ensuring that they are safe and appropriate. She may intervene if necessary but generally aims to create a natural, neutral and positive atmosphere for the parent and child.

How long do supervised visits last? Visit lengths vary depending on the court order or agreement between parties. They can range from one hour to several hours per session.

Parenting Coordination

What is a parenting coordinator? A parenting coordinator is a neutral third party who helps parents implement and follow parenting plans, resolve conflicts, and make child-focused decisions.

What happens if there’s a disagreement with your recommendations? If there are disagreements, open communication is expected and encouraged to address concerns. In legal cases, final decisions rest with the Parenting Coordinator.

Can a parenting coordinator make legal decisions? Parenting Coordinators can make certain decisions as outlined in a court order or agreement.

Reunification Therapy

What is Reunification Therapy? Reunification Therapy helps repair and rebuild parent-child relationships, focusing on communication, trust, and healthy family dynamics.

How long does Reunification Therapy take? The process varies depending on the family’s needs and circumstances but typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks or months.

What is the goal of Reunification Therapy? The primary goal of Reunification Therapy is to repair and strengthen relationships between a parent and child who have experienced estrangement, conflict, or prolonged separation. It focuses on fostering trust, improving communication, and ensuring the child's emotional well-being.

Who benefits from Reunification Therapy? Reunification Therapy benefits children and parents involved in high-conflict divorces, cases of parental alienation, Resist-Refuse Dynamics (RRD) or estrangement situations where one parent has been absent due to legal, emotional, or geographic reasons.

Is Reunification Therapy court-ordered? It can be court-ordered or voluntarily sought by families. Court-ordered therapy often includes specific directives for participation and compliance.

Additional Questions

How do forensic social workers maintain confidentiality? Forensic social workers follow strict ethical guidelines and legal standards to protect confidentiality. However, in court cases, specific disclosures may be required by law.

Do you charge for consultations? 15-minute initial consultations are complimentary for most services, however there are some services that require a fee to schedule. This ranges depending on the type of service requested. Please inquire about specific costs when scheduling.

Do you offer same-day appointments? Same-day appointments may be available for urgent cases.

Are you planning to expand your services? Reunify Alaska continually assesses community needs and aims to expand services offered as they are needed. This can include training programs, community outreach, and enhanced virtual services.

How can I get more information? Contact Reunify Alaska at 907.792.9226 or Admin@reunifyalaska.com. Social media channels are currently under development, but updates on services and events will soon be available through those platforms and a newsletter subscription. Stay tuned for more ways to stay connected!