Dr. Brad S. Broeder
Providing quality psychological therapy to individuals, couples, teenagers, and children.
Individual Therapy
Dr. Broeder employs the unique and specialized therapeutic modality referred to as REBT or, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. The goal of such an approach, which is formulated differently based upon the age of the person seeking therapy, is to help educate, teach, guide and direct the individual to think differently about their particular problem, worry or concern. In this fashion the emphasis is on making changes in one’s attitude and then directing the person to engage in specific actions in order to solve the designated problem or, to help them become more focused and alert to accomplishing the specified goal. By initiating a discussion of one’s feelings and then relating such emotions to their style of thinking we can recommend strategies to help change behaviors, attitudes and behaviors
Couples Therapy
The main keystone of any relationship is ‘Trust’ and therefore one of the main starting points is to assess the level of trust between any two partners. This may include completing questionnaires so as to help identify problem areas or engaging in role-play action-oriented communication schemes. Yet, in talking about trust, Dr. Broeder leads the couple to communicate with one another in an open and direct manner whereby he serves as the intermediary and, at times, mediator in order to foster greater self-disclosure(s) and thereby increase a level of intimacy. The major stresses for most every couple include a need to talk about their style of communication, how to express affection and concern, talking about financial issues, agreeing on parenting strategies and how to improve their love-life.
Family Therapy
It is no surprise that all families have various problems that arise from time-to-time. The trick to happier family interactions is to ‘nip-it-in-the-bud’ before minor issues mushroom into larger more pronounced problems. This can be accomplished by allowing all family members a voice in what they perceive and experience within their family constellation. This does not imply that the parents forfeit their role as the primary decision-makers but it does allow for all family members to feel safe and secure that their voice is being ‘heard’. By identifying a specific issue or problem of concern Dr. Broeder then aligns family members on how they can work differently with one another and therefore solve the family problem as a team. In this regard, the parents are reinforced as the primary rule-makers, but the family discusses their self-prescribed, ‘code-of-conduct’ where everyone understands what the rules are and what to expect by way of reinforcements or rewards and what are the potential consequences of their acting-out or misbehavior(s).
Family Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology simply means applying psychological principles to anything having to do with the law. In this regard, Dr. Broeder works in the family law system serving in the capacity as a ‘social Investigator’, so he can evaluate what type of parenting plan is best for divorcing parents. In addition, Dr. Broeder serves as a ‘PC’ (parent coordinator). In this role Dr. Broeder works as the arbitrator/mediator for separated parents and helps then learn how to communicate in a fashion that best suits the needs of their children. Thirdly Dr. Broeder can serve in the capacity as a ‘PPF’ or parenting-plan facilitator. This position allows Dr. Broeder to work with a family that is going through a transition and thereby establish a ‘goodness-of-fit’ as to what would be the best parenting plan for the child or children. Lastly, Dr. Broeder had designed a protocol for “reunification therapy”. This theraputic approach fosters the re-introduction of parent and child(ren) when there has been a degree of separation or estrangement. In these instances he directs, guides and supervises such parent/child relationships so they can become re-connected in a safe, healthy and positive manner. In each instance, Dr. Broeder may also serve as an ‘expert’ witness to facilitate resolution in all such legal matters.
Additionally, Dr. Broeder works as the consulting psychologist for the Sarasota & Manatee County’s ‘Child Protection Team’s” and, with the Department of Children & Families (DCF) to investigate and evaluate any and all types of abuse. He is thereby familiar with dependency court and often helps with adoptions. Also, forensic psychology is related to civil law matters when there has been an injury or some injustice that warranted a psychological evaluation or intervention.
Collaborative Divorce
When couples simply fall out of love and believe that the only solution to their difficulties is to divorce, there is no healthier or more time and cost efficient process than to ‘Collaborate’. In this fashion, the two parties dictate the terms of their settlement without unnecessary legal battles or the need to file motions with the court. By using the collaborative model, couples can forego lengthy and costly court battles which often take an inordinate amount of time and drain one’s bank account! Herein, both parties are represented by their respective attorneys and Dr. Broeder then serves as the ‘Collaborative Team’ facilitator. Dr. Broeder will organize, lead and conduct all such meetings wherein the parties meet together to discuss the two major issues revolving around any divorce: Assets & Family/children. The goal is to have the parties clarify what they want and/or need from their divorce and then engage in discussions to facilitate resolutions. The parties learn about and discuss how best to divide their assets and in terms of their children they discuss and learn what would serve as the most appropriate parenting plan for their family based on their child’s (or children) developmental needs. Such a process can be accomplished anywhere between two-to-four months, a fraction of the time it can typically take for a divorce to be completed.
Dr. Broeder is a founding member of the ‘Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals’ serving the West Coast of Florida. You can connect to that website by going to sarasotacollaborative.com.
Seminars / Presentations
Dr. Broeder is accustomed to performing in public as he had often been asked to conduct a seminar on topics ranging from; child development, suicide prevention, handling teenage drug abuse and, coping with depression or overcoming personal traumas. He has provided talks for the ‘Child Protection Center’, (CPC) and, the ‘Safe Children’s Coalition’, (SCC). He has also appeared on Me-TV to discuss issues related to divorce and drug abuse as well as having appeared on ABC-news to address the psychological scars related to childhood physical, sexual and psychological abuse.