10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Allegations of Alienation or Child Sexual Abuse in Custody Evaluations is presented by David A. Martindale, PhD, ABPP. This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards Child Custody Evaluation Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

Forensic psychological evaluations that are conducted in conjunction with disputes that include allegations of alienation or of child sexual abuse are qualitatively different from other evaluations conducted in the context of litigation involving access to or custody of children. The disputes are atypically contentious, and much of the information needed by the evaluator must be obtained from the children, making the development of child forensic interviewing skills critically important. This program focuses on the acquisition of these skills.


Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the primary sources of information used by evaluators in evaluations involving allegations of alienation or child sexual abuse
  • 2 Describe the distinctions between alienation and related concepts such as alliance, affinity, estrangement, and visitation resistance
  • 3 Describe the intrapsychic dynamics of the child that may contribute to alienation
  • 4 Describe the ways in which children’s cognitive development affects the way in which sexual abuse is experienced and reported
  • 5 Describe the elements of the child forensic interview process that serve to increase the accuracy of reporting by the child
  • 6 Describe the pros and cons of using dolls and drawings in the child forensic interview

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in child custody evaluations and forensic interviewing, particularly in cases involving allegations of alienation or child sexual abuse. It is ideal for those specializing in these areas and for individuals working in forensic, legal, and social service environments who wish to enhance their skills and understanding of best practices in custody evaluations and related forensic work.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Therapist
    • Specialist in Child Custody Evaluations
    • Forensic Interviewer

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic evaluations in custody disputes, seeking foundational knowledge of child forensic interviewing, primary sources of information, and distinctions between alienation and related concepts.
    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic evaluations, aiming to deepen their understanding of intrapsychic child dynamics, cognitive development’s impact on reporting, and advanced interviewing techniques.
    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic evaluations, looking to refine specialized skills in complex cases, critically evaluate interview methods (e.g., use of dolls and drawings), and integrate nuanced clinical and legal considerations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who complete this training typically work in environments where high-conflict custody disputes and sensitive forensic evaluations are common. These settings require specialized skills in interviewing children and assessing complex family dynamics, particularly in cases involving allegations of alienation or child sexual abuse. The work environment is often multidisciplinary, involving collaboration with legal professionals, child protective services, and the courts. Practitioners may operate in public or private sectors, including clinical, forensic, and social service agencies, where they conduct evaluations, provide expert testimony, and support families navigating contentious legal processes.

    • Family court clinics or court-appointed evaluation services
    • Private forensic psychology or mental health practices specializing in custody evaluations
    • Child advocacy centers
    • Social service agencies handling child protection and welfare cases
    • Hospital-based child and adolescent psychiatry or psychology departments
    • Government agencies (e.g., departments of child and family services)
    • Nonprofit organizations focused on child welfare and family law support

Presented By

David Martindale, PhD, ABPP, Consultant

David Martindale, Ph.D., ABPP (forensic) limits his practice to consulting with psychologists, attorneys, and state regulatory boards. He lectures regularly on issues pertaining to evaluations of comparative custodial suitability, served on the AFCC Child Custody Consulting Task Force, and was the Reporter for the AFCC Model Standards of Practice for Child Custody Evaluation.

View More Programs from this Presenter
David Martindale, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Allegations of alienation

  • Child sexual abuse

  • Litigation involving access to or custody of children

  • Evaluation disputes

  • Forensic interviewing skills

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.