I received my doctorate from the University of Chicago and have been on the staff of the departments of child psychiatry at Michael Reese Hospital and the University of Chicago. I work with adults, older children and adolescents in individual and family therapy. Some of this work is with families experiencing the stress of a child refusing contact with one of his/her parents.
I provide mediation focused on developing child centered parenting plans, serve as a Collaborative Law Coach and Child Specialist, and also partner with separated and divorced parents to assist them in their communication about and decision-making for their children. In addition to extensive work with families experiencing the many challenges of divorce, I work with men invested in becoming more authentic partners and fathers.
I provide mediation focused on developing child centered parenting plans, serve as a Collaborative Law Coach and Child Specialist, and also partner with separated and divorced parents to assist them in their communication about and decision-making for their children. In addition to extensive work with families experiencing the many challenges of divorce, I work with men invested in becoming more authentic partners and fathers.
Services
Good therapy should be a dynamic partnership focused on increasing self-awareness by identifying, understanding and then changing patterns that get in the way of achieving goals. My approach is individualized, interactive and proactive. My training and experience is in psychodynamic psychotherapy but I often incorporate cognitive and behavioral approaches when working with people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
We know that parents who develop their own parenting plan are more successful in working collaboratively with each other after divorce than are those whose parenting plan was imposed by the Court. I assist parents in resolving disagreements related to custody, parenting schedules and post-divorce disagreements with the goal of ensuring that the plan is successful over time.
Collaborative Divorce utilizes specially trained child specialists, divorce coaches, lawyers and financial experts to help avoid costly and destructive court battles. This problem solving approach offers you the opportunity to protect your children from the pain of being put in the middle of the marital conflict.
I am not on any insurance panels. However, if you have a PPO policy it is most likely that your insurance provider will reimburse you for a portion of my services. I will provide you with a statement that you can submit for reimbursement. Please check your coverage with your provider. Divorce services other than those related to counseling are not covered by insurance.
Reviews (7)
John Alexander
Nov 23, 2020
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Robby Siegel
Sep 17, 2019
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Dr.Palen is an exceptionally warm and understanding person with tremendous experience. His clinical skills and professional approach with clients as well as consulting with other professionals is admirable. I have learned from Dr. Palen and appreciate his support. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Palen to anyone looking for clinical services.
Wendy K.
Aug 28, 2019
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I've known John Palen for over twenty years. He is a consistently professional therapist and custody evaluator. I've seen/heard him give talks at many professional conferences. I have referred clients and attorneys to him for twenty years. In all cases, Dr. Palen has done a fair and superlative job. He has changed lives for the positive for those who listen to him. Divorce is a difficult process for everyone involved. Many people end the process more wounded and broke than they initially imagined possible. It is not unusual for parties on both sides to feel angry and disappointed. Dr
Maria Deacon
Jul 18, 2019
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A great professional with great insight and valuable advise and demeanor!
I would start by saying he is not only a considerate and thoroughly therapist but also very accurate in his evaluation and expertise,unbiased,trustworthy,kind and genuinely involved.He pays great attention to all important aspects and his extensive knowledge and experience has a strong impact on the outcomes and results.
I have been going through a very difficult marriage and consecutive a challenging and long divorce process ,with many negative and intricate aspects that made the process even more harder,aspects that continued
I would start by saying he is not only a considerate and thoroughly therapist but also very accurate in his evaluation and expertise,unbiased,trustworthy,kind and genuinely involved.He pays great attention to all important aspects and his extensive knowledge and experience has a strong impact on the outcomes and results.
I have been going through a very difficult marriage and consecutive a challenging and long divorce process ,with many negative and intricate aspects that made the process even more harder,aspects that continued
Scott Fairmont
Dec 28, 2018
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He is a masterful manipulator. He starts by giving the appearance of a fair, unbiased professional - requiring the completion of his lengthy questionnaire. Then he fails to read or consider the information he gathers. He is a terrible Custody Evaluator as he is prone to mimic the other Court appointed personnel and fails to offer an unbiased, objective opinion of his own. Stay away from this man. His fees are high and he is not trustworthy.
Nick D.
Oct 11, 2018
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Stay away from this therapist and don’t pay his ridiculous high fees. I chose this therapist to help my child transition easier through our divorce process and not as an evaluator. Thank God I did not choose him as my 604(b) evaluator. He is a master manipulator and in the beginning will give you the appearance of a down to earth unbiased professional but ultimately he will side with the parent that holds the decision-making of attending his sessions. He is absolutely not trustworthy and he does not have an opinion of his own, he very much sides with the child representative and even worst he
Jeff Hale
Aug 20, 2017
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