PSY85660/PSY8566 - Child Custody Consultation: Evaluation and Mediation

(2 units)

Focus on the role that psychologists play in assisting families undergoing disputes about child custody. Major focus is the child custody evaluation as an assessment of the best parenting plan for the child. Clinical case material is presented and students become familiar with the process of conducting a child custody evaluation as well as with important issues related to making custody decisions. Special topics include parental alienation, “move away”, shared custody, supervised visitation, “substance abuse” and major mental illness, the mediation process, the Special Master process and the role of Family Court and Family Court Services in working with families experiencing divorce.