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Family Evaluation in Custody Litigation: Reducing Risks of Ethical Infractions and Malpractice » (1st Edition)

$Book cover image of Family Evaluation in Custody Litigation: Reducing Risks of Ethical Infractions and Malpractice by G. Andrew H. Benjamin$

Authors: G. Andrew H. Benjamin, Kammie K. Monarch, Jackie K. Gollan
ISBN-13: 9781557989536, ISBN-10: 1557989532
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Date Published: January 2003
Edition: 1st Edition

Author Biography: G. Andrew H. Benjamin

Book Synopsis

Written for the novice evaluator, this book outlines each step of a child custody assessment protocol, with attention to both legal and clinical issues. It offers an overview of the judicial process and discusses current standards. Sample evaluation reports and reproducible forms are included. Benjamin is a lawyer. Gollamn teaches psychiatry at the University of Chicago. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description:The book presents a guide to child custody assessment, helping to integrate the judicial process and clinical practice.
Purpose:The authors note that with regard to forensic child custody evaluations, "...mental health professionals can serve in critical roles as experts who provide the courts with valid and reliable evidence about the psychological issues of each case." This book is an effort to prepare mental health professionals for such a role. These are worthy objectives because of the astronomic rise in divorce and resulting need for custody evaluation. The book meets the authors' objectives.
Audience:According to the authors, "although the book is written for novices, it contains helpful tips for even the most expert forensic mental health professional." Dr. Benjamin has degrees in both psychology and law and has extensive experience in the field.
Features:The book begins with a brief overview of the field of child custody evaluation, including legal issues. The remainder of the book is a pragmatic, step-by-step look at the evaluation process. Case reports are also included. The wonderful appendixes include sample forms and interview questions -- extremely useful for someone who is just entering this field.
Assessment:This is an excellent book.

	Foreword to the Series
	Preface
	Acknowledgments
	Introduction	3
I	Understanding the Context	9
Ch. 1	Context of Custody Litigation	11
Ch. 2	Evidentiary Standards and Rules of Evidence	17
Ch. 3	Ethics, Competence, and Training	29
II	Conducting Evaluations: Introduction	37
Ch. 4	Phase 1: Pre-Evaluation Procedures	41
Ch. 5	Phase 2: First Clinical Interview	49
Ch. 6	Phase 3: Observations of Parents and Children	65
Ch. 7	Phase 4: Contacting Collaterals	73
Ch. 8	Phase 5: Closing Interviews and Data Integration	83
Ch. 9	Phase 6: Presentation to Court	93
III	Annotated Report Outline and Sample Evaluation Reports: Introduction	105
Ch. 10	Annotated Structure of a Parenting Evaluation Report	109
Ch. 11	Sample A. Report of Mr. D. v. Ms. M., Evaluation for Modification of Parenting Plan	117
Ch. 12	Sample B. Report of Mr. D. v. Ms. M., Evaluation for Permanent Parenting Plan Action	159
IV	Afterword	171
App. A	Agreement to Parenting Evaluation	177
App. B	Evaluation Tracking Form	181
App. C	Declarations of Party Noncompliance	183
App. D	Parenting Evaluation in a Legal Setting	187
App. E	Semistructured Interview for Adults	193
App. F	Adult and Child-Focused Allegation Forms	205
App. G	Release Forms	209
App. H	Adolescent Interview	211
App. I	Declaration to Enforce Agreement to Parenting Evaluation	215
	References	219
	Table of Authorities	227
	Index	229
	About the Authors	239

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