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A Guardian ad
litem
(GAL)
is a specially trained professional
appointed by the court to
investigate and make recommendations
regarding one or more specific,
child-centered questions being
litigated.
Dr.
Garber is a state certified GAL
and will accept appointments
within the scope of his expertise
and subject to specific terms.
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Dr.
Garber's qualifications as a GAL.
Dr. Garber
completed the New
Hampshire state GAL board training and certification in 2005 and
renewed
certification in 2008. He has completed advanced GAL training in
numerous areas, including domestic violence.
Dr. Garber has taught portions of the GAL training repeatedly over
these years.
Review Dr. Garber's Curriculum
Vitae 
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Terms and limits
of the GAL investigation.
Upon
appointment, Dr. Garber will
deliver a service agreement in the form of a stipulation to parties for
review and signature. This document will be crafted specific to each
appointment and in accord with the court's order on appointment. Upon
return receipt, the GAL stipulation is filed with the appointing court.
Read a
sample GAL service
agreement/stipulation
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When
a psychologist serves as GAL.
Dr.
Garber is a psychologist by
training and brings a developmentally informed, systemic perspective to
all of his work. Nevertheless, Dr. Garber is not working as a
psychologist when
serving as a GAL. As a practical matter, it is important to understand
that as GAL, Dr. Garber will not conduct psychological testing, will
not
diagnose and will not provide therapeutic support to any party at any
time.
When and if any such
psychological or other service is requested or
recommended, Dr. Garber will work like any GAL to assist parties in
securing appropriate services.
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What
is the scope of Dr. Garber's work as
GAL?
Dr.
Garber's investigation in the
role of GAL will be defined by the court in its Order Of Appointment.
The Court will indicate which questions relevant to the child's
well-being and the co-parents' future allocation of parenting rights
and responsibiliuties the GAL should address.
For this reason, Dr. Garber's investigation in the role of GAL can be
quite different than a comparable Child-centered Family Evaluation
(CCFE). Whereas a CCFE is a comprehensive examination of the family
system, the GAL investigation can be narrowly defined.
Read
more
about how GAL work differs from other roles
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As
a GAL, Dr. Garber will not ...
...
serve as a psychologist,
therapist or counselor
... make recommendations
to a party unless directed by the court
or
summarized in the form of a preliminary report
... offer legal advice or
parenting advice
... mediate or arbitrate any
matter
... be eligible to serve any
party to the litigation in any future
capacity
(e.g., as therapist or Parent
Coordinator)
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Please note:
If
you are participating in a
court-ordered or court-related psychological service, it is very
important that you are fully aware of the special conditions that
may
limit your privacy or confidentiality.
When psychological services are provided through or in
conjunction
with
the
court system, your confidentiality may be quite limited or
non-existant. You may not have access to records or reports that
concern you without
court order. Information about you may be shared with others at Dr.
Garber's
discretion consistent with the court's order and/or relevant
stipulations or
agreements.
It is
very important to ask Dr. Garber, your attorney and/or the court to
clarify
the limits of
confidentiality
relevant to your particular circumstance
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