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These results list several forensic psychologists and one forensic group you can contact for custody hearing expert testimony. Choose a board-certified evaluator for courtroom experience (Vorwerk), a neuropsychologist in Texas (Wood), a local Austin evaluator (Ainslie), a MD/DC evaluator with legal background (Wolf), a child/forensic specialist (Heller), or engage Pacific Forensic Group for agency-level support.
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Finding specific forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses depends entirely on your **geographic location** and the **jurisdiction** handling your case, as expert witnesses must typically be licensed in the state where the court presides and familiar with local family law standards. Forensic psychologists…
Finding specific forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses depends entirely on your geographic location and the jurisdiction handling your case, as expert witnesses must typically be licensed in the state where the court presides and familiar with local family law standards.
Forensic psychologists acting as expert witnesses in custody hearings generally fall into two categories: court-appointed evaluators (or neutral experts) and retained/consulting experts hired by one side to review an evaluation or testify on specific psychological issues (such as parental alienation, high-conflict divorce, or developmental needs).
How to Find and Verify Forensic Psychology Experts
Because forensic psychologists are local professionals rather than national figures, you can locate qualified, credentialed experts through specialized legal and psychological directories:
Key Considerations When Choosing or Facing an Expert
If you can share your state or general location and whether you need an expert for a court-appointed evaluation or an independent review/testimony , I can help guide you on how to source local professionals or discuss what questions to ask them.
- **Joseph Frey, III, Ph.D** - 454 Furys Ferry Rd, Martinez, GA 30907 - **James E. Stark, PhD** - 1945 The Exchange SE #435, Atlanta, GA 30339, United States - **Howard Drutman, PhD** - 900 Old Roswell Lakes Pkwy, Ste 340, Roswell, GA 30076
If your custody hearing is in Georgia, there are several psychologists in the state who publicly advertise child-custody/parenting evaluations and expert-witness testimony. A few worth investigating are:
For a custody case, you generally want to distinguish between a psychologist who merely treats children/families and a true forensic psychologist who performs custody/parenting evaluations and testifies in court.
Georgia's rules specifically address forensic assessments and court-appointed custody psychologists. They require the psychologist's opinions to be supported by adequate examination/information and require the psychologist to acknowledge limitations in the data or conclusions. The rules also caution against conflicting roles—for example, simultaneously being a therapist and an expert in the same matter.
Georgia's expert-testimony statute also provides that an expert's qualifications can be based on knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, so simply having a psychology license doesn't automatically make someone a strong custody expert.
If you're looking for someone to testify for you rather than a neutral/court-appointed custody evaluator, that's an especially important distinction. You should ask prospective experts:
I would not choose one solely from this list. For a custody hearing, the expert's prior testimony, methodology, publications/training, licensing/disciplinary history, conflicts of interest, and experience with the particular issues in your case can matter considerably.
If you tell me what Georgia county your custody case is in (for example, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, etc.) and what kind of expert you need (custody evaluator, parental-fitness expert, rebuttal expert, psychological-testing expert, or expert to review the other parent's evaluation), I can narrow this to the best-matched forensic psychologists and investigate their court experience and qualifications.
I would not choose one solely from this list. For a custody hearing, the expert's prior testimony, methodology, publications/training, licensing/disciplinary history, conflicts of interest, and experience with the particular issues in your case can matter considerably.
If you tell me what Georgia county your custody case is in (for example, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, etc.) and what kind of expert you need (custody evaluator, parental-fitness expert, rebuttal expert, psychological-testing expert, or expert to review the other parent's evaluation), I can narrow this to the best-matched forensic psychologists and investigate their court experience and qualifications.
In a custody hearing, forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses or court-appointed evaluators are `specialized professionals trained at the intersection of psychology and the legal system` . They evaluate parenting capacity, psychological functioning, parent-child dynamics, and the best interests of the…
In a custody hearing, forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses or court-appointed evaluators are specialized professionals trained at the intersection of psychology and the legal system . They evaluate parenting capacity, psychological functioning, parent-child dynamics, and the best interests of the child.
Because expert witnesses must be local to your jurisdiction (or licensed/approved to practice and testify in your specific state/court), there is no single national "list" of names you can call. Instead, they are credentialed specialists identified through specific professional boards and directories.
Qualifications to Look For
When identifying a qualified forensic psychologist for a custody case, look for specific credentials that hold weight in a courtroom:
How to Find Names in Your Area
To help narrow this down, could you share:
- **Joseph Frey, III, Ph.D** - 454 Furys Ferry Rd, Martinez, GA 30907 - **Samer G. Touma, PHD** - 6923 N Trenholm Rd #131, Columbia, SC 29206, United States - **Tross Forensic & Consulting Services, LLC** - 1122 Lady St Ste 200, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
If your custody hearing is in the North Augusta/Augusta area, I found a few professionals who specifically advertise forensic, custody, or family-court expert work. The strongest matches are:
I'd distinguish between three different roles before hiring anyone:
For a contested custody hearing, I'd want someone who can demonstrate actual Family Court/custody experience and prior qualification as an expert, rather than simply someone whose practice directory says "forensic psychology."
If you tell me which county the custody case is in (e.g., Aiken County, Richmond County, Columbia County) and whether you need someone to perform a custody evaluation, review an existing evaluation, or testify as an expert, I can narrow this down to the best 5–10 candidates, including credentials, location, contact information, and what each specializes in.
In a custody dispute or hearing, forensic psychologists who act as expert witnesses or court-appointed evaluators are specialists in applying psychological science and assessment to legal questions involving child custody and parental…
In a custody dispute or hearing, forensic psychologists who act as expert witnesses or court-appointed evaluators are specialists in applying psychological science and assessment to legal questions involving child custody and parental fitness.
Rather than a single national roster or universal set of names, these professionals are licensed clinical or counseling psychologists who hold specialized post-graduate training, certifications (such as board certification in forensic psychology via the American Board of Professional Psychology ), and extensive local family court experience.
Types of Roles Forensic Psychologists Play
What They Evaluate and Testify On
How to Find Qualified Forensic Psychologists
Because qualifications and court admissibility depend heavily on your jurisdiction, experts are typically sourced through verified professional directories or referrals from family law attorneys:
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help guide you on how to approach finding or vetting the right professional for your situation.
If your custody hearing is in **South Jersey/Philadelphia**, I found several psychologists who publicly state that they perform child-custody or family-court evaluations and/or provide expert testimony. I would treat this as a **starting list, not an endorsement**—your attorney should vet qualifications, conflicts,…
If your custody hearing is in South Jersey/Philadelphia, I found several psychologists who publicly state that they perform child-custody or family-court evaluations and/or provide expert testimony. I would treat this as a starting list, not an endorsement—your attorney should vet qualifications, conflicts, fees, and whether the judge will accept the particular expert.
Harry A. Green IV, PsyD — Cherry Hill. Public information indicates extensive forensic/court work, including child-custody, bonding/reunification, termination-of-parental-rights, and violence-risk assessments.
Atkins Elliot — Marlton, with a Philadelphia office as well. Dr. Elliot Atkins says he has worked in forensic psychology since 1980, performs custody/divorce evaluations, and has been accepted as an expert witness in state and federal courts.
Dr. Erik Dranoff — New Jersey. His practice specifically advertises family-court evaluations, child-custody evaluations, forensic evaluations, trial consultation, and expert-witness testimony.
Loving Psychological Services, LLC — Woodbury. The practice reports providing psychological evaluations and consultation for NJ Family Court matters, including work involving DCP&P, the Office of Parental Representation, and Law Guardians, as well as forensic consultation/testimony.
Dr. Dennis Shaning — New Jersey. He is identified as a Court-Approved Expert for Child Custody and Court-Approved Parenting Coordinator, with more than 30 years of experience.
Dr. Jonathan H. Mack — NJ/PA. A board-certified neuropsychologist whose practice specifically lists child custody, parental capacity, and best-interest-of-the-child evaluations and forensic consultation. He serves Camden County and the Philadelphia/Southeastern Pennsylvania area.
Chloe Haaz Psychology PLLC — Fort Washington, PA. Dr. Haaz advertises custody/parenting evaluations, relocation evaluations, attorney consultation, and expert testimony, and is licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Dr. Anna Lawler — serves Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Her practice explicitly lists child-custody evaluations and expert testimony; a Montgomery County Bar Association custody resource also describes her conducting custody assessments and testifying in Pennsylvania and New Jersey courts.
Forensic Mental Health Services LLC — Philadelphia. The practice says it has provided forensic evaluations and expert testimony in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware for more than 25 years, including family-court matters.
For a custody case, you want to determine whether you need:
New Jersey's own custody-evaluation guidance specifically recognizes the potential conflict when a treating psychologist is asked to become an expert regarding custody, so don't assume a psychologist who treats you or your child is appropriate as your custody expert.
I'd ask each prospective expert:
If you tell me which county/state the custody hearing is in (e.g., Camden County, NJ or Philadelphia County, PA) and whether you're looking for an expert for you, your child, or an independent custody evaluation, I can narrow this to the strongest local candidates and compare their qualifications, court experience, and published rates where available.
In child custody hearings, forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses are specialized licensed mental health professionals . They do not act as treating therapists; rather, they apply psychological science and evaluation methods to legal questions—specifically determining what custody arrangement or…
In child custody hearings, forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses are specialized licensed mental health professionals . They do not act as treating therapists; rather, they apply psychological science and evaluation methods to legal questions—specifically determining what custody arrangement or parenting plan serves the best interests of the child.
Types of Roles They Play in Hearings
Key Qualifications to Look For
When identifying a qualified forensic psychologist for a custody case, courts and attorneys look for specific credentials and background markers:
Where to Find Them
Because specific experts practice locally and must be familiar with regional family law standards, they are usually sourced through:
To help me narrow this down, could you share:
I can provide more targeted guidance or resources for your search.
If your custody hearing is in **San Diego County**, there are several psychologists in the area who publicly identify themselves as providing **child-custody evaluations, forensic consultation, and/or expert-witness testimony**. Importantly, not every forensic psychologist is qualified or appropriate to serve as a…
If your custody hearing is in San Diego County, there are several psychologists in the area who publicly identify themselves as providing child-custody evaluations, forensic consultation, and/or expert-witness testimony. Importantly, not every forensic psychologist is qualified or appropriate to serve as a custody expert.
If you're looking for your own retained expert, I'd distinguish between:
California specifically regulates child-custody evaluators. Under Rule 5.225, a private evaluator generally must be appropriately licensed, complete required custody-evaluation and domestic-violence training, and have participated in at least four court-appointed custody evaluations within the preceding three years, subject to limited exceptions. courts.ca.gov Rule 5.220 also requires neutrality, comparable procedures for the parties, consideration of information that cuts against the evaluator's conclusions, and appropriate disclosure of limitations and conflicts.
The best expert depends heavily on what you need the expert to testify about. For example, the right person could be quite different if your case involves:
If you tell me (1) the county/state where the hearing is, (2) whether you need a new custody evaluator or an expert to testify for one side, and (3) the main issue in dispute, I can narrow this to the most relevant experts and investigate their qualifications, custody-evaluation experience, expert-witness history, licensing, and publicly available information about fees/availability.
Forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses in child custody hearings are `licensed mental health professionals with specialized training in family law, child development, and clinical assessment` . Rather than acting as a therapist or treating doctor, their role is to provide the court with an objective,…
Forensic psychologists who serve as expert witnesses in child custody hearings are licensed mental health professionals with specialized training in family law, child development, and clinical assessment . Rather than acting as a therapist or treating doctor, their role is to provide the court with an objective, evidence-based evaluation of the family dynamics to determine what arrangement serves the child's best interests.
Types of Forensic Psychology Experts in Custody Cases
What the Evaluation and Testimony Entail
A forensic expert utilizes standardized methods to collect raw data rather than relying purely on subjective claims:
To locate certified professionals or expert directories, you can look through resources like the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) or expert networks such as SEAK Expert Witness Directory.
If you'd like to narrow this down, please let me know:
I can provide more tailored guidance on what questions to expect or how to prepare.
Yes. For a custody hearing, the relevant experts are usually **forensic psychologists who perform child-custody/parenting-plan evaluations or provide expert testimony in family court**. AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) is one of the strongest professional organizations to use when identifying…
Yes. For a custody hearing, the relevant experts are usually forensic psychologists who perform child-custody/parenting-plan evaluations or provide expert testimony in family court. AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) is one of the strongest professional organizations to use when identifying qualified evaluators.
Examples of nationally recognized professionals whose work includes custody/family forensic matters include:
However, the right expert for your hearing needs to be licensed and able to practice/testify in your state, and ideally should have experience with the particular issue in your case (custody evaluation, parental alienation allegations, abuse allegations, psychological testing, relocation, etc.). The APA specifically notes that custody evaluations involve specialized legal, ethical, clinical, testing, and expert-witness considerations.
If you're looking for actual experts you could potentially retain for your hearing, I can narrow this down to psychologists in your area—but I need to know what city and state the custody case is in. You can share your location here:
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If you tell me the county and state, I can also look specifically for forensic psychologists who actually testify as expert witnesses in custody cases, rather than simply psychologists who advertise general family services.