Forensic Services
Child Custody Evaluations
Our clinicians are certified to complete child custody evaluations. Child custody evaluators are neutral third parties trained to evaluate potential child care plans, formulate an opinion, and provide expert testimony on the findings in court if needed.
Evaluators are hired to work in the best interest of the child. An evaluator will interview people familiar with family dynamics, including parents, children, family members, family friends, doctors, therapists, teachers, et cetera, will prepare a report with a recommendation for child custody, and will present the findings in court.
A clinician MUST be hired in the official role of a child evaluator to provide an opinion to attorneys or courts regarding child custody.
We also consult with families regarding alternatives to litigation or court proceedings in child custody plans, including counseling and mediation.
Litigation Consulting:
Family Court and Co-Parenting Consultants
A parent or caregiver can hire a clinician to evaluate a child and/or family system for the purpose of making recommendations to a court regarding family counseling, co-parenting counseling, mental health or substance abuse accommodations to optimize post-divorce relationships, emphasizing the mental health of the child.
Child Advocacy
Clinicians can be hired for the purpose of working with a child in the role of a consultant to become intimately familiar with the child’s unique needs, thought processes, concerns, and wishes, and will present these in court to assist in reinforcing or opposing a recommendation, depending on the best interest of the child.
Parent Advocacy
Parents are often concerned that, although they may have legitimate concerns, they may be portrayed in an unflattering manner in a contentious divorce case, possibly due to problems in their past. We work as consultants with parents before, during, and after court cases to review concerns related to parenting plans or custody evaluations, make recommendations for the parent to change behavioral or lifestyle habits that may assist in improving their parental options in court, and, if applicable, may write an opinion to supplement the concerns or recommendations in court.
Independent Assessment of Custody Evaluations or Parenting Plan
Our clinicians can be hired by parents and/or attorneys who intend to pursue changes of child custody in court. We serve as consultants to assess the existing parenting plan, prioritize the concerns, and provide recommendations or modifications as needed.