A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a court-appointed or privately retained representative focused on advocating for the best interests of a child in legal proceedings. As a GAL, I conduct thorough assessments, gather information from multiple sources, and provide objective recommendations to the court. My approach is informed by clinical training in child development and family systems, which allows for a comprehensive understanding of the child's needs within the context of their family and environment.

The practice is led by Sara Bokodi, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in trauma-informed care, high-conflict family systems, and clinical supervision.

I am based in Valparaiso, IN, and provide services throughout Northwest Indiana. If you have questions about whether your case falls within my service area, please reach out and I'm happy to discuss.

Yes, virtual consultations are available for appropriate cases. Many initial consultations and professional discussions can be conducted remotely, though some services—such as therapeutic supervised visitation and certain clinical assessments—require in-person meetings.

I offer a brief 10–15 minute introductory consultation to determine service fit and provide general information about my approach. This consultation is limited in scope and does not include case review or specific recommendations. It's simply an opportunity to discuss whether my services align with your needs.

In addition to Guardian ad Litem services, I provide clinical and family system assessments, therapeutic supervised visitation, co-parenting support, and private pay clinical services on a limited basis. To maintain clear role boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest, private clinical services are not provided to families currently involved in Guardian ad Litem cases in which I am serving.

Yes, I provide clinical supervision for social workers working toward LCSW licensure, as well as group supervision and consultation for professionals seeking to strengthen their clinical skills in working with children and families. Supervision focuses on ethical practice, case conceptualization, and applied understanding of family systems in complex cases.

Parent education and support programs are currently in development and will be available in the near future. These programs will focus on understanding child development, family dynamics, and the impact of conflict on children. If you're interested in being notified when programs launch, please contact me.

All services are offered by appointment only. Prospective clients can contact the practice through the website or phone to schedule consultations or service sessions.

The practice maintains strict confidentiality, ensuring that all client information and records are handled securely and shared only as legally required or authorized.

Private pay clinical services are available on a limited basis for individuals and families seeking focused clinical support, excluding those currently involved in active Guardian ad Litem cases with the practice.

All assessments, visitation observations, and recommendations are documented in clear, structured, evidence-informed reports designed to support court decision-making and reduce ambiguity.

The practice integrates advanced clinical social work expertise with a strong legal orientation, offers therapeutic supervised visitation, emphasizes neutrality, and provides professional consultation and supervision services.

Yes, fees apply for professional consultation services. Interested parties should contact the practice directly for rates and scheduling information.

The practice works with custody disputes, divorce-related cases, child welfare investigations, parenting time modifications, and other court-involved family matters involving children.

The process includes meeting with the child, interviewing adults and professionals involved, reviewing relevant documents, observing interactions, and preparing an objective report with recommendations for the court.

Families can expect a safe environment where a clinician observes parent-child interactions, provides support or intervention as needed, and documents the visit to inform court proceedings.

Yes, group clinical supervision and consultation are available to support professionals in ethical practice, clinical skill development, and application of family systems approaches.