Total Credits: 2 including 2 American Psychological Association, 2 Association of Social Worker Boards, 2 National Board of Certified Counselors, 2 State Bar of California
Tags: Custody Domestic Violence LEFCC
This workshop focuses on some of the controversies and current issues in evaluating allegations of domestic violence in child custody cases in family law courts. The protocols created by researchers and practitioners published by the American Psychological Association Press (Family evaluation in custody litigation: Promoting optimal outcomes and reducing ethical risks-2nd ed, 2018), are presented with respect to evaluating allegations of domestic violence. Suggestions for assessment techniques and examples of different objective and projective measures are presented and discussed with respect to evaluations of domestic violence in these complex cases. This workshop exposes some of the myths and pitfalls commonly seen in these cases, and specific techniques in evaluating all parties in these are described, including interviews, the review of records and creating timelines. Differentiating alienating behaviors by one parent versus abusive behaviors by the other parent in a highly disputed custody case requires a comprehensive, objective evaluation using multiple methods of data collection and interpretation of testing results in context. Case examples are also discussed.
This session was recorded at the 29th Annual IVAT San Diego Summit.
Dr. Bob Geffner is the Founding President of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) dba the Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma (IVAT). He has a Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology from the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology, and is Board Certified in Couple & Family Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Geffner is a licensed clinician (Psychologist in CA and TX, and MFT in CA) and has been a researcher, trainer, practitioner, and consultant for over 40 years.
Dr. Silsby is the Director of Clinical Training at IVAT for Professional Clinical and Forensic Services. She graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology and has gained expertise working with individuals who have extensive trauma. Dr. Silsby maintains a private practice focusing on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Prolonged Exposure for trauma, and working with gender-expansive youth and adults. Passion for addressing and reducing trauma exposure in clients, community, and future psychologists guides her focus.