“Psychological Testing in Child Custody Evaluations: Consensus and Controversy”

Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Presented by: Gene Gross, PSYD

RSVP by: September 25, 2016

Please indicate any dietary needs.

Psychologists often use psychological testing as part of a child custody evaluation. Yet, there is much debate about which tests are appropriate and how they should be interpreted in terms of parenting skills and the coparenting relationship. This presentation reviews the three most commonly used psychological tests in child custody evaluations: the MMPI, the MCMI, and the Rorschach Inkblot test. Issues affecting reliability and validity of the tests are presented. Courtroom admissibility of each test in terms of Daubert is discussed. Recommendations for cautious use of tests in child custody evaluations are offered.