When parents disagree over their children's best interest and end up in court, the issues can be complicated and people’s emotions are raw and intense. The truth is that the court system is designed to solve legal disputes, but is not designed to solve emotional problems.
Understanding what a Child Custody Evaluation is? A Child Custody Evaluation is a comprehensive and complex forensic psychological evaluation and investigation of a family with the purpose of providing the Court insights into how the parents function, and their strengths and weaknesses. The evaluator also studies how the family operated before the separation, or since the divorce and how each of the parents has parented their children and communicated with the other parent. All of this along with understanding the developmental needs of the children helps the evaluator provide a set of recommendations regarding co-parenting, possession and access schedules that are best for the children and any other decision making issues the court may request. The evaluation is conducted by a specially trained mental health professional, usually a licensed psychologist. That psychologist likely has doctoral level training in personality, child development, psychopathology, behavioral research and family dynamics. These areas of study and on-going continuing education are essential, so that the psychologist brings to the Court and family, the best information possible.
Working in the role of a consultant, Dr. Siegel becomes part of your team helping you and your attorneys develop well-reasoned strategies regarding the child custody aspects of your case. Using current psychological and developmental research and more than 30 years of forensic and clinical experience, Dr. Siegel can guide and educate you and the team about the mental-health issues in your case. The goal is two-fold: to help the parent understand and feel more at-ease with the child custody evaluation and litigation process, and to help the team develop the legal theory and emotional themes to create a comprehensive case strategy.
Will Dr. Siegel review another evaluation that was done in a case? Yes, this review is conducted to assist an attorney in understanding is a previous evaluation was conducted ethically, employed well-researched and accepted methods of testing and data collection and if the results are presented in an unbiased form. This sort of review is not a new evaluation, rather it is a second opinion on the quality of the earlier evaluation to assess if it reaches reasonable and logical conclusions based on the data gathered and if the recommendations offered make sense.
Dr. Siegel assists attorneys with preparation of important witnesses for deposition and trial testimony, and on occasion will sit in on deposition or trial testimony to assist the attorney by providing real-time consultations, insights and adjustments, if necessary.
The core of Dr. Siegel's clinical practice is helping people. Whether recovering from emotional pain, disappointment and anger of divorce, stresses of daily life or helping parents and adolescents navigate difficult teen years, Dr. Siegel is committed to having his patients feel better and more emotionally supported. He gives them the opportunity to explore ideas and understand their thoughts, feelings and reactions in a safe and trusted environment while gaining practical alternatives to improve their lives and personal well being.
As a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Siegel provides diagnostic assessments and evaluations for mental and emotional disorders in adults and adolescents. He assists psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and licensed professional counselors in developing treatment plans. Dr. Siegel will provide referrals if needed.
Comparing Apples to Apples: Current Research and the Evaluation of High Conflict Litigants in Custody Cases.
The MMPI-2 in High Conflict Custody Cases.
Licensing Board Complaints in Child Custody Practice
Should Your Adolescent Have a Say in Decision-Making?
Jeffrey C. Siegel, PhD., ABPP
17330 Preston Rd. Suite 110B Dallas, Texas 75252
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