PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS IN CHILD CUSTODY AND DEPENDENCY CASES A PRIMER FOR ATTORNEYS DANIEL P. TRESSLER, PSY.D.

PSYCHOLOGIST Non-medical doctoral practitioner trained in diagnosis and non-medical treatment of mental disorders, including major mental illness. Non-medical doctoral practitioner trained in diagnosis and non-medical treatment of mental disorders, including major mental illness. Degrees: Ph.D. Psy.D. Ed.D. Degrees: Ph.D. Psy.D. Ed.D. Uniquely trained in the use of psychological tests in the measurement of behavior as part of a Psychological Evaluation. Uniquely trained in the use of psychological tests in the measurement of behavior as part of a Psychological Evaluation. Professional Designation: Licensed Psychologist. Professional Designation: Licensed Psychologist.

CAVEAT EMPTOR Beware of non-licensed personnel in agencies doing “counseling” or “therapy”. Beware of non-licensed personnel in agencies doing “counseling” or “therapy”. Beware of non-psychologists calling themselves psychologists. Beware of non-psychologists calling themselves psychologists. Beware of persons who are not psychologists calling what they do “Psychological Evaluation”. Beware of persons who are not psychologists calling what they do “Psychological Evaluation”. If not licensed, one is not a Psychologist. If not licensed, one is not a Psychologist. If not by a Psychologist, it’s not a psychological evaluation. If not by a Psychologist, it’s not a psychological evaluation.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHAT AND WHO COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY PYCHOSOCIAL EVALUATION PYCHOSOCIAL EVALUATION PYCHIATRIC EVALUATION PYCHIATRIC EVALUATION PHARMACOTHERAPY PHARMACOTHERAPY PYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION PYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION Not just an evaluation done by a psychologist. Not just an evaluation done by a psychologist. A systematic assessment of an individual’s emotional, intellectual and behavioral functioning. A systematic assessment of an individual’s emotional, intellectual and behavioral functioning. Usually intended to answer a specific question or issue, e.g.: Usually intended to answer a specific question or issue, e.g.: Ability to parent Ability to parent Ability to protect Ability to protect Diagnosis and treatment recommendations Diagnosis and treatment recommendations

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION DESIRED ELEMENTS  SPECIFIC REFERRAL QUESTION  Domestic Violence  Ability to care for child  Readiness for reunification  Chemical Dependency  Intellectual Capacity  Mental Illness

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION DESIRED ELEMENTS PERSONAL HISTORY PERSONAL HISTORY Family History Family History Medical and Psychological History Medical and Psychological History Education and Employment Education and Employment Alcohol and Drug Use Alcohol and Drug Use Legal History Legal History

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION DESIRED ELEMENTS COLLATERAL INFORMATION COLLATERAL INFORMATION Dependency Petition Dependency Petition Judicial Review Judicial Review Court Pleadings Court Pleadings Police Reports Police Reports Arrest Records Arrest Records Medical/Psychological Records Medical/Psychological Records

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION FORMAL TESTING WHAT IS A TEST? WHAT IS A TEST? A standardized procedure. A standardized procedure. Published, peer-reviewed. Published, peer-reviewed. Able to be interpreted in a standard manner. Able to be interpreted in a standard manner. Could pass the Frey test. Could pass the Frey test.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION FORMAL TESTING INFORMAL PROCEDURES INFORMAL PROCEDURES Interview Interview Life History Questionnaires Life History Questionnaires Observations Observations

PROJECTIVES RORSCHACH RORSCHACH Series of 10 “Inkblots” Series of 10 “Inkblots” Has several so-called scoring systems, not necessarily normed. Has several so-called scoring systems, not necessarily normed. PROJECTIVE DRAWINGS PROJECTIVE DRAWINGS HTP, HFD, KFD HTP, HFD, KFD No real scoring system No real scoring system Interpreted on basis of accepted clinical lore. Interpreted on basis of accepted clinical lore.

OBJECTIVE TESTS FOR CHILDREN Personality Inventory for Children Personality Inventory for Children Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale RADS, RCDS RADS, RCDS MMPI-A, MACI, MAPI, APS MMPI-A, MACI, MAPI, APS Achenbach (ASEBA) Series Achenbach (ASEBA) Series Child Behavior Checklist Child Behavior Checklist Teacher Report Form Teacher Report Form Youth Self-Report Youth Self-Report

THE BOTTOM LINE Interview Collateral Data Test Data \ / | \/ Clinical Impression | \/ Recommendations

CLINICAL IMPRESSION:DSM-IV Axis IAcute Mental Illness/Syndrome Axis IAcute Mental Illness/Syndrome Axis IIPersonality Disorder Axis IIPersonality Disorder Mental Retardation Mental Retardation Axis IIIMedical Problems Axis IIIMedical Problems Axis IVPsychosocial Stressors Axis IVPsychosocial Stressors Axis VGlobal Assessment of Functioning Axis VGlobal Assessment of Functioning Scale Scale