Christopher M. Mulchay

Unlock the Science Behind Child Custody Evaluations Psychologists today play a crucial role in providing court assessments for child custody cases. Gone are the days of relying solely on clinical judgment-courts now demand a more scientific approach. But what does this entail? This comprehensive guide offers an evidence-informed framework for conducting child custody evaluations, covering such critical components as forensic interviewing, parent-child observation, document review, and accounting for one's own personal biases. The authors explore the strengths and limitations of psychological testing and assessment, explaining why the future of custody evaluations lies in a dimensional approach that emphasizes behaviors over diagnoses. Extensive research is synthesized on all these critical topics, as well as more specific issues such as alienation, parent-child contact problems, domestic violence, and parental relocation requests. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this book is an indispensable resource for conducting scientifically sound, legally defensible evaluations.