Forensic family evaluations: A comprehensive model for professional practice

Abstract

This paper describes a model for forensic family evaluations (FFE) that arise from issues of child custody and maltreatment. FFEs are comprehensive assessments that utilize a variety of data collection methods. The FFE has three basic stages: beginning the evaluation, collecting data, and presenting the evaluation findings. In each stage there are a number of professional and administrative stations. Each stage of the FFE presents unique challenges: maintaining internal and external independence, managing issues of convergent validity, and monitoring written and verbal output. Each of these stages, stations, and challenges is discussed.

Practitioner Review: The contribution of attachment theory to child custody assessments

“…Whatever the figure may be in a particular country or jurisdiction, it is likely to be small because only a fraction of cases include outside psychological evaluation. However, it is almost assured that those cases that do proceed through the court system and require a psychological evaluation are the more difficult and complicated cases, characterized by contested views of custody, current and past conflict between separating partners, and inability to negotiate emotionally challenging and upsetting matters; accusations by one or both parents of mistreatment of the child are also not uncommon (Halikias, 1994; Johnston & Campbell, 1993). Parents who are working together for the interests of the child(ren) are unlikely to require the input of the court system and a psychological evaluation (although sometimes consultation with a mental health professional is sought).…”

Practitioner Review: The contribution of attachment theory to child custody assessments

“…Whatever the figure may be in a particular country or jurisdiction, it is likely to be small because only a fraction of cases include outside psychological evaluation. However, it is almost assured that those cases that do proceed through the court system and require a psychological evaluation are the more difficult and complicated cases, characterized by contested views of custody, current and past conflict between separating partners, and inability to negotiate emotionally challenging and upsetting matters; accusations by one or both parents of mistreatment of the child are also not uncommon (Halikias, 1994; Johnston & Campbell, 1993). Parents who are working together for the interests of the child(ren) are unlikely to require the input of the court system and a psychological evaluation (although sometimes consultation with a mental health professional is sought).…”

Social workers’ recommendations on the non-custodial father’s visitation rights with his preschool children

“…Several studies decry the lack of clear guidelines and attempt to offer their own. Wall and Amadio (1994) and Halikias (1994) focus on procedures (that is, who and how to interview, the importance of maintaining professional objectivity) rather than on what factors warrant what amount and kind of access. More specific guidelines are provided by two groups of researches.…”

Lawyers' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: Implications for psychological practice.

“…Data from a number of jurisdictions indicate that the majority of divorcing parents are able, on their own, to resolve child custody and access issues satisfactorily (cf. Halikias, 1994). However, when parents do enter the justice system to settle their custody-related disputes, lawyers and judges may request mental health professionals, including psychologists, to help parents and the courts in developing or determining the optimal child custody arrangements.…”

“…Only limited data are available on client satisfaction with child custody assessment services or on the impact of these services on the postdivorce adjustment of the family. Child custody assessments are usually highly contentious, for only parents who are unable to formulate a cooperatively developed plan for their children proceed to evaluation, and these families are typically characterized by high levels of conflict and distress (Halikias, 1994). Despite this conflict, it appears that child custody assessments usually result in the divorcing parents settling their dispute out of court (Austin & Jaffe, 1990; Jaffe et al, 1987; Radovanovic et al, 1994).…”

Practitioner Review: The contribution of attachment theory to child custody assessments

“…Whatever the figure may be in a particular country or jurisdiction, it is likely to be small because only a fraction of cases include outside psychological evaluation. However, it is almost assured that those cases that do proceed through the court system and require a psychological evaluation are the more difficult and complicated cases, characterized by contested views of custody, current and past conflict between separating partners, and inability to negotiate emotionally challenging and upsetting matters; accusations by one or both parents of mistreatment of the child are also not uncommon (Halikias, 1994; Johnston & Campbell, 1993). Parents who are working together for the interests of the child(ren) are unlikely to require the input of the court system and a psychological evaluation (although sometimes consultation with a mental health professional is sought).…”

Social workers’ recommendations on the non-custodial father’s visitation rights with his preschool children

“…Several studies decry the lack of clear guidelines and attempt to offer their own. Wall and Amadio (1994) and Halikias (1994) focus on procedures (that is, who and how to interview, the importance of maintaining professional objectivity) rather than on what factors warrant what amount and kind of access. More specific guidelines are provided by two groups of researches.…”

Lawyers' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: Implications for psychological practice.

“…Data from a number of jurisdictions indicate that the majority of divorcing parents are able, on their own, to resolve child custody and access issues satisfactorily (cf. Halikias, 1994). However, when parents do enter the justice system to settle their custody-related disputes, lawyers and judges may request mental health professionals, including psychologists, to help parents and the courts in developing or determining the optimal child custody arrangements.…”

“…Only limited data are available on client satisfaction with child custody assessment services or on the impact of these services on the postdivorce adjustment of the family. Child custody assessments are usually highly contentious, for only parents who are unable to formulate a cooperatively developed plan for their children proceed to evaluation, and these families are typically characterized by high levels of conflict and distress (Halikias, 1994). Despite this conflict, it appears that child custody assessments usually result in the divorcing parents settling their dispute out of court (Austin & Jaffe, 1990; Jaffe et al, 1987; Radovanovic et al, 1994).…”

Practitioner Review: The contribution of attachment theory to child custody assessments

“…Whatever the figure may be in a particular country or jurisdiction, it is likely to be small because only a fraction of cases include outside psychological evaluation. However, it is almost assured that those cases that do proceed through the court system and require a psychological evaluation are the more difficult and complicated cases, characterized by contested views of custody, current and past conflict between separating partners, and inability to negotiate emotionally challenging and upsetting matters; accusations by one or both parents of mistreatment of the child are also not uncommon (Halikias, 1994; Johnston & Campbell, 1993). Parents who are working together for the interests of the child(ren) are unlikely to require the input of the court system and a psychological evaluation (although sometimes consultation with a mental health professional is sought).…”

Social workers’ recommendations on the non-custodial father’s visitation rights with his preschool children

“…Several studies decry the lack of clear guidelines and attempt to offer their own. Wall and Amadio (1994) and Halikias (1994) focus on procedures (that is, who and how to interview, the importance of maintaining professional objectivity) rather than on what factors warrant what amount and kind of access. More specific guidelines are provided by two groups of researches.…”

Lawyers' opinions regarding child custody mediation and assessment services: Implications for psychological practice.

“…Data from a number of jurisdictions indicate that the majority of divorcing parents are able, on their own, to resolve child custody and access issues satisfactorily (cf. Halikias, 1994). However, when parents do enter the justice system to settle their custody-related disputes, lawyers and judges may request mental health professionals, including psychologists, to help parents and the courts in developing or determining the optimal child custody arrangements.…”

“…Only limited data are available on client satisfaction with child custody assessment services or on the impact of these services on the postdivorce adjustment of the family. Child custody assessments are usually highly contentious, for only parents who are unable to formulate a cooperatively developed plan for their children proceed to evaluation, and these families are typically characterized by high levels of conflict and distress (Halikias, 1994). Despite this conflict, it appears that child custody assessments usually result in the divorcing parents settling their dispute out of court (Austin & Jaffe, 1990; Jaffe et al, 1987; Radovanovic et al, 1994).…”