Mental Health Impact on Children and Families With International Domestic Relations Issues

“Mental Health Impact on Children and Families With International Domestic Relations Issues” On Tuesday, February 15, 2011 an invited panel of mental health and domestic relations professionals will discuss the effects of international custody disputes on families. WHO – Ralla Klepak is a family law attorney, child’s representative/guardian ad litem and child custody evaluator, with a private practice, Ralla Klepak & Associates in Chicago, Illinois. Ralla earned a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D in Child Development from Northwestern University and her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. Ralla is an acclaimed speaker on children’s issues. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ralla-klepak/8/905/a33 WHO – Terry Palmer is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Naperville, Illinois. Terry earned a Masters in Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Terry regularly presents on the effects of Domestic Violence on children and families and the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). http://www.linkedin.com/pub/terry-palmer/15/2A6/262 WHO – Malini Byanna is a family law attorney, experienced in international child custody and abduction issues, with a private practice based in Schaumburg, Illinois. Malini earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her J.D. from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/malini-byanna/6/254/457 SUBJECT MATTER – International domestic relations issues. The risk to children falling victim to the impacts of international custody disputes and abduction is great. Legal and mental health professionals consider the effects of prolonged separation from family, friends and the child’s primary home environment. We highlight several mental health concerns and legal challenges.