6 Hours / 6 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on an Introduction to Child Custody and Parenting Evaluations is presented by Philip Stahl, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Board of Forensic Psychology.

This program introduces psychologists to child custody and parenting evaluations, learning how to get started in the case, understands the basic research associated with the parenting of children of never-married and separated or divorcing parents, and the basics of performing these evaluations. Topics include child custody evaluation guidelines and standards, getting started in child custody work, getting started in your case, evaluation and assessment methods, children’s developmental needs, report writing, developing your analysis and recommendations, report writing, and testifying.

Child custody and parenting evaluations are challenging as a result of many different factors. These evaluations push psychologists to the limits of their skills. One of the most difficult aspects of the work is the complex nature of the task. Child custody evaluators are asked to engage with the family and make predictions about the future “best interests of the child” while at the same time needing to help the court understand complex family dynamics and allegations.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe critical differences between forensic and clinical family evaluations
  • 2 Describe how forensic and custody evaluation standards and guidelines shape one’s evaluations
  • 3 Describe the contents of a comprehensive parenting and custody evaluations
  • 4 Describe how parents’ “horizontal” relationships (i.e., with the other parent) and their “vertical” relationships (i.e., with the children) should differentially impact parenting plan recommendations
  • 5 Describe research on children’s adjustment to divorce when assessing families and making recommendations
  • 6 Describe opinions effectively via reports and testimony

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for psychologists and mental health professionals who are involved in or interested in forensic psychology, with a particular focus on child custody and parenting evaluations. It is relevant for those who conduct forensic assessments, write reports, and provide expert testimony to assist courts in determining the best interests of children.

    • Psychologist
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Mental Health Professional
    • Child Custody Evaluator
    • Parenting Evaluator
    • Expert Witness

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for entry-level professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants have little or no prior experience conducting child custody or parenting evaluations, are unfamiliar with relevant guidelines and standards, and seek foundational knowledge in evaluation methods, report writing, and testifying in court.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals in this field typically work in environments where legal and psychological expertise intersect. They may operate within private practices, group practices, mental health clinics, or be affiliated with family courts or governmental agencies. Their work often involves conducting interviews and assessments in office settings, reviewing records, observing family interactions, and preparing detailed reports. They may also spend time in courtrooms providing expert testimony. The environment is often high-stakes and emotionally charged, requiring strong analytical, communication, and ethical decision-making skills.

    • Private practice offices specializing in forensic or family psychology
    • Family court clinics or court-appointed evaluation centers
    • Community mental health centers with forensic assessment services
    • Government agencies (e.g., child protective services, probation departments)
    • Law firms or legal consultancies (as retained expert witnesses)
    • Hospital-based behavioral health or forensic units

Presented By

Philip Stahl, PhD, ABPP

Philip Stahl, Ph.D., ABPP, is a board certified forensic psychologist in private practice in Maricopa County, Arizona whose work focuses on child custody matters. Dr. Stahl is licensed in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Michigan, and has held temporary licensure in many other states. A frequent speaker, he has conducted workshops and trainings for judges, attorneys, child custody evaluators, and others working with high-conflict families of divorce. He is on the faculty of the National Judicial College and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Philip Stahl, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Child custody evaluations guidelines and standards

  • Getting started in child custody work

  • Getting started in your case

  • Evaluation and assessment methods

  • Children’s developmental needs

  • Report writing and testifying

  • Developing your analysis and recommendations

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

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.