Learning Objectives

Identify at least three differences between a clinical and forensic role.
Identify statutes and caselaw relevant to child custody evaluations.
Create a checklist of critical components of child custody evaluations.
Evaluate the pros and cons of collecting various types of data for inclusion in the evaluative process.
Identify at least four functional parenting skills and competencies to assess in child custody evaluations.
Explain at least four considerations for interviewing children during child custody evaluations.
Identify a method for screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) in all evaluation protocols.
Describe the impact of IPV on adults, children, parenting, and coparenting.
Identify at least four factors that could contribute to a child’s resistance or refusal to see a parent.
Describe the continuum of parent-child contact problems.
Describe the most current research regarding the effects of divorce on children.
Identify various dimensions of gatekeeping.
Identify three considerations when crafting parenting plans for young children.
Describe how mental illness, including personality disorders, and substance misuse impact parenting.

Identify factors to consider in developing appropriate parenting plans.
Describe a concrete plan for modifying parenting plans.
Create a specific recommendation to implement safe transitions.
Describe how to apply the concept of cultural humility to child custody evaluations.
Analyze cases and identify diversity considerations that are relevant to child custody evaluations.
Describe the relevance of hypothesis testing.
Describe three biases/heuristics that can influence decision-making.
Identify factors to consider in deciding which tests to employ in child custody evaluations.
Describe how to use hypotheses from psychological tests in child custody evaluations.
Apply a decision-making model for relocation cases.
Apply a risk and protection model when a family has a special needs child.
Identify multiple hypotheses that may apply to a case that involves allegations of sexual abuse.
Craft specific recommendations based on a court’s referral questions.
Analyze and synthesize data to form opinions and relay those opinions to a court in a logical and sound manner.