Psychological Custody Evaluation Methodology
PREMISE: Old Town Psychological Services maintains that custody disputes involving children are highly sensitive and that custody evaluations must be conducted with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
OTPS has extensive experience in evaluating children and adults involved in custody disputes and providing objective recommendations for those involved. Our staff conducts all custody evaluations on the premise that recommendations are to be made based on the psychological best interests of the children.
COMPONENTS: OTPS uses multiple sources when gathering data including clinical interviews, behavioral observation, objective psychological testing, child abuse/neglect assessment, substance abuse assessment, and use of 3rd party information. An extensive library is maintained of up-to-date psychological test equipment and inventories commonly used in forensic and clinical settings. The evaluating psychologist engages in a formal process of compiling and reviewing the psychological data, prior to rendering recommendations that are in the best psychological interests of the children. A thorough, narrative report is then generated that clearly outlines all collected psychological data and child custody recommendations, which are formulated using the MICHIGAN CHILD CUSTODY ACT MCL 722.23.
FEEDBACK SESSION: OTPS provides a final session separately with parents of the minor children involved, to present the recommendations and provide feedback. The psychologist often recommends a follow-up mediation session to address co-parenting and adjustment issues regarding the custody agreement.
Our staff is available to provide court testimony and for follow-up issues including on-going co-parenting mediation or psychological treatment of any parties involved.
FEES: Custody evaluation fees are dependent upon the number of adults and children involved. The fee is determined based on basic custody components and additional fees are added for mediation services and court testimony. Please contact the office for an estimate of fees for a specific case. It is our policy to require that fees be paid prior to the beginning of services.
SPECIFIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: This program is operated by a licensed doctoral level psychologist.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST LIBRARY: OTPS utilizes the Wechsler Scales of Intelligence for all intelligence testing for adults, adolescents, children and preschoolers (WAIS-III, WISC-IV, WPPSI-III). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development is used for cognitive and developmental testing of infants and toddlers. OTPS utilizes the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement-III and Wide Range Achievement Test-3 for academic achievement testing. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Sentence Completion Test are used for adult personality assessment. The Personality Inventory for Youth or MMPI-A are used for adolescent personality assessment and the Personality Inventory for Children is used for child personality assessment.
Old Town Psychological Services conducts all child custody evaluations based on the guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association.
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