Conducting Child Custody Evaluations: From Basic to Complex Issues [Hardcover]

Covering the mental health expert's many roles as therapist, mediator, evaluator, consultant to attorneys, expert witness, and more, Philip M. Stahl's Conducting Child Custody Evaluations: From Basic to Complex Issues addresses key topics such as the best interests of the child, custody and time share, divorce and its impact on children, and children's developmental needs. From tackling the terror of testifying to critiquing your own child custody evaluations and avoiding bias inherent in this work, this practical and easy-to-read book offers comprehensive coverage vital to practitioners in this field.

Walks readers step by step through the process of conducting the evaluation, including how to work with children and parents; when to consider and how to incorporate psychological testing; and how to write up the report, including the importance of providing a thorough analysis explaining the link between the data and your conclusions.Preface
PART I: CRITICAL PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
1. Introduction to the Role, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility
How the Courts Benefit From an Evaluation
How the Family Benefits From an Evaluation
When is the Evaluation Harmful
Who is the Client/Consumer
Practical Standards and Ethical Issues
Evaluator Biases
Reducing the Risk of Bias
2. The Mental Health Expert's Many Possible Roles
Therapists
Therapeutic Reunification
Collaborative Law Coach
Psychologist Evaluator/Psychiatrist/Vocational Evaluator
Mediator
Consultant to Attorney/Expert Witness
Parent Coordinator
The Custody Evaluator
Dual Relationships
3. Fundamental Questions in Most Custody Evaluations
The Best Interests of the Child