Custody evaluations: A survey of mental health professionals

Abstract

Mental health professionals who conduct custody evaluations (N = 165, 61% return rate) were surveyed about their practices and attitudes. These experts were primarily licensed psychologists, most with degrees in clinical and counseling. Few had specific training in child custody or forensic evaluation, and although they averaged 8.1 evaluations over the last year, most devoted a modest portion of their practice to custody work. They generally regarded custody evaluations as valuable to the courts, but were critical of the adversarial approach to determining custody. Procedures and priorities have changed little over the past decade, with most experts relying heavily on interviews and observation. Cautions are given regarding overstepping ethical guidelines and using procedures that presently lack established validity.