Criminal Psychology Chapter 9 Child Custody and Related Decisions Talbot Kellogg Community College

Child Custody – A thankless job. Why? Why? “It is my least favorite area.” Dr. Lenore Walker “It is my least favorite area.” Dr. Lenore Walker Children Children Embryos Embryos High profile, high emotion cases. High profile, high emotion cases.

The Roles of a Psychologist Marriage Counselor Mediator Child Therapist Court Appointed Evaluator Expert Witness Applied Researcher

Marriage Counselor Definition: Marriage counseling is a type of ______________ for a married couple or established partners that tries to _________________________. Typically, two people attend counseling sessions together to discuss specific issues. Definition: Marriage counseling is a type of ______________ for a married couple or established partners that tries to _________________________. Typically, two people attend counseling sessions together to discuss specific issues. Goals: Goals:

Marriages Successful Types Unsuccessful Types Biggest Difference?

Marriage Counselor Definition: Marriage counseling is a type of psychotherapy for a married couple or established partners that tries to resolve problems in the relationship. Typically, two people attend counseling sessions together to discuss specific issues. Definition: Marriage counseling is a type of psychotherapy for a married couple or established partners that tries to resolve problems in the relationship. Typically, two people attend counseling sessions together to discuss specific issues. Goals: Goals: Concerns: Concerns: Dual Relationships: Dual Relationships:

Mediator Mediation: An alternative to litigation Mediation: An alternative to litigation Definition: Mediation is __________________, whose object is the __________ resolution of a dispute on terms that the parties themselves ______________. It is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which a ____________________selected by the parties seeks to determine the interests of the parties, discover which of these interests may be shared, and alert them to a resolution that may further those interests. Definition: Mediation is __________________, whose object is the __________ resolution of a dispute on terms that the parties themselves ______________. It is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which a ____________________selected by the parties seeks to determine the interests of the parties, discover which of these interests may be shared, and alert them to a resolution that may further those interests. Benefits of Mediation: Benefits of Mediation: Goal: Goal: Problems? Problems?

Child Therapist Divorce as a traumatic event. Divorce as a traumatic event. Expectations following a divorce: Expectations following a divorce: Problems? Problems?

Court Appointed Evaluator 2 prong responsibility: Rarely utilized for this purpose: Why?

Evaluation The psychologist must approach this task, “unburdened by any particular point of view or preset conclusions.” What can interfere with this charge? Characteristics:

Recommendations Legal custody – the right to make legal decisions for the child. Physical custody – where the child resides on a day-to-day basis. Sole custody v. Joint or Shared custody. Divided custody

Expert Witness Stepping into the Lion’s Den. Problems of being hired by one side or the other. Problems with being court appointed evaluator. The nature of the issues (i.e. custody) being evaluated. Custody Consideration

Other areas of contention or debate 1. Custody for a mixed race couple. 2. Custody for children of parents with physical or mental health problems. 3. Custody issues involving parents who have alternate sexual orientations. 4. Custody issues concerning conflicts between the requests of the child and the recommendations of professionals. 5. The presence of criminal records. 6. The consideration of cultural and religious beliefs. 7. The use of psychological tests and measures (MMPI – 2) 1. Parenting satisfaction scale 2. Parenting stress index 3. Parent child relationship index 4. WAIS

Ethical Issues and Temptations Recognizing limits and biases Avoiding dual relationships Informed consent Confidentiality Custody Evaluation v. Psychological Evaluation

Applied Researcher Address or answer questions posed by the triers of fact which concern issues of psychology and human behavior Comment on available research as it pertains to the court’s questions without application to the current case.

What do the clients want? The children The family fixed. What do they get? The parents To win. What do they get? The judge An understanding of the situation or specific psychological considerations and principles.