THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATIONS |
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| Authors: | Jonathan W Gould Philip M Stahl |
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| Institution: | Jonathan W. Gould is a practicing forensic and clinical psychologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. His most recent book is;Conducting Scientifically Crafted Child Custody Evaluations (Sage, 1998). Philip M. Stahl is the chair of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts's Child Custody Evaluation Committee and a psychologist in private practice in Dublin, California, where he specializes in custody evaluations. His most recent books are;Complex Issues in Child Custody Evaluations (Sage, 1999) and Parenting After Divorce (Impact, in press). |
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| Abstract: | Should a child custody evaluation be a clinical tool informed by forensic methods and procedures or a forensic tool informed by clinical experience? The authors conclude that an evaluation requires a delicate blend of scientific thinking, clinical understanding, through observations, appropriate use of psychological tests, and self‐report measures and information from sufficient collateral sources. Evaluators must pay attention to internal biases and integrate them with the relevant literature. Finally, evaluators must remember that their evaluation and reports will be used by both the courts and the family in reaching a decision on behalf of the children. |
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