The only Texas Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course developed by a Board Certified Psychologist immersed in divorce and family law matters in their clinical practice on a daily basis. Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Divorce Expert, routinely testifies in US Courts regarding divorce, parental fitness, parenting plans, and custodial decisions. He has combined his experiences with science based divorce literature to develop his Texas Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course, Healthy Divorce Health Kids. This course is offered for educational purposes and is most often utilized for the court requirement in Texas, Georgia and Florida among other states for individuals divorcing who also share children.
Quick Instructions: Purchase our course and you will immediately be sent a link and password for our course. Once you have taken the quiz at the end of the course you will automatically be provided with an official electronic certificate that you can present to your Attorney, Judge or maintain for your file. If you have any questions, please contact us as [email protected] or call us at 904-379-8094.
Log in HERE or use the login link on the receipt that will also include the password.
See the Texas Divorce Code regarding the Texas Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course for divorcing parents below. Our course does take four hours to complete and we do cover the required topics.
(a) In a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, including an action to modify an order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship providing for possession of or access to a child, the court may order the parties to the suit to attend a parent education and family stabilization course if the court determines that the order is in the best interest of the child.
(b) The parties to the suit may not be required to attend the course together. The court, on its own motion or the motion of either party, may prohibit the parties from taking the course together if there is a history of family violence in the marriage.
(c) A course under this section must be at least four hours, but not more than 12 hours, in length and be designed to educate and assist parents with regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children. The course must include information on the following issues:
(1) the emotional effects of divorce on parents;
(2) the emotional and behavioral reactions to divorce by young children and adolescents;
(3) parenting issues relating to the concerns and needs of children at different development stages;
(4) stress indicators in young children and adolescents;
(5) conflict management;
(6) family stabilization through development of a coparenting relationship;
(7) the financial responsibilities of parenting;
(8) family violence, spousal abuse, and child abuse and neglect; and
(9) the availability of community services and resources.
(d) A course may not be designed to provide individual mental health therapy or individual legal advice.
(e) A course satisfies the requirements of this section if it is offered by:
(1) a mental health professional who has at least a master’s degree with a background in family therapy or parent education; or
(2) a religious practitioner who performs counseling consistent with the laws of this state or another person designated as a program counselor by a church or religious institution if the litigant so chooses.
(f) Information obtained in a course or a statement made by a participant to a suit during a course may not be considered in the adjudication of the suit or in any subsequent legal proceeding. Any report that results from participation in the course may not become a record in the suit unless the parties stipulate to the record in writing.
(g) The court may take appropriate action with regard to a party who fails to attend or complete a course ordered by the court under this section, including holding the party in contempt of court, striking pleadings, or invoking any sanction provided by Rule 215, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The failure or refusal by a party to attend or complete a course required by this section may not delay the court from rendering a judgment in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
(h) The course required under this section may be completed by:
(1) personal instruction;
(2) videotape instruction;
(3) instruction through an electronic medium; or
(4) a combination of those methods.
(i) On completion of the course, the course provider shall issue a certificate of completion to each participant.
The certificate must state:
(1) the name of the participant;
(2) the name of the course provider;
(3) the date the course was completed; and
(4) whether the course was provided by:
(A) personal instruction;
(B) videotape instruction;
(C) instruction through an electronic medium; or
(D) a combination of those methods.
(j) The county clerk in each county may establish a registry of course providers in the county and a list of locations at which courses are provided. The clerk shall include information in the registry identifying courses that are offered on a sliding fee scale or without charge.
(k) The court may not order the parties to a suit to attend a course under this section if the parties cannot afford to take the course. If the parties cannot afford to take a course, the court may direct the parties to a course that is offered on a sliding fee scale or without charge, if a course of that type is available. A party to a suit may not be required to pay more than $100 to attend a course ordered under this section.
(l) A person who has attended a course under this section may not be required to attend the course more than twice before the fifth anniversary of the date the person completes the course for the first time.
(m) A course under this section must be available in both English and Spanish.
(m) A course under this section in a suit filed in a county with a population of more than two million that is adjacent to a county with a population of more than one million must be available in both English and Spanish.
Psy.D., ABPP, Board Certified
Clinical Psychologist
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My husband and I were interested in taking this course and then came to the conclusion that we didn’t need it right away and that getting married right away was more necessary ( for us ). I bought the course and then emailed Dr. Justin D’Arienzo and told him I didn’t want to do the course right now after I seen the extent of it and asked him for a refund. He told me a refund would be given to me right away. As it was the weekend we didn’t get in into our bank until Tuesday morning but we got it. It wasn’t a headache for me to get which is the last thing we need right now. So thank you for Dr. Justin D’ Arienzo for listening to my needs and not causing me more unnecessary hassle in my life right now. We will take your course as it looks very beneficial to us as a couple and I don’t want to miss out on the knowledge it looks like it gives just because we need to get married right away( for personal reasons). So thank you and we see and appreciate all you do for Texas couples. I recommend anyone who has the time to take this course.
Dr. D' Arienzo is patient, kind, understanding and practical in his approach to patient care. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a list of issues. From working with children to adult couples and individuals, Dr. D'Arienzo and his staff have my highest endorsement.
This course was awesome. I definitely wouldn't mind taking more courses like this.
I misspelled my fiance's name. I requested an update Sunday morning at 12:38 AM. I had my new PDF premarital course certificate before 1:00 PM. The rapid response was not expected during the weekend, however very much appreciated.
Thank you.
My fiance and I took the premarital course offered by Dr. D'Arienzo and I cannot shut up about it! I went into the course with low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised at how helpful the resources were! The things that we have both learned in this course have helped us to understand each other better and prepared us to manage conflict more effectively.
I highly recommend this course to every couple that plans to go to the altar! This will be especially helpful for those that already cohabitate, as this course will give "faces and names" to many issues that all couples face.
D'Arienzo Psychological Group: Forensic Psychology, Couples Counseling, Coaching
