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 Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

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 intended 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.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Child Custody Evaluators
    • Parenting Evaluators
    • Expert Witnesses in Family Court
    • Clinical Psychologists involved in forensic assessment
    • Mental Health Professionals

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with child custody and parenting evaluations.

    • Beginner: Participants new to child custody and parenting evaluations who are seeking foundational knowledge of guidelines, standards, and basic assessment methods.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in clinical or forensic family evaluations who wish to deepen their understanding of evaluation procedures, research on children’s adjustment, and effective report writing and testimony.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic or custody evaluations who are looking to refine their skills in complex case analysis, advanced application of standards, and expert testimony.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals in this area practice at the intersection of mental health and family law, conducting office-based forensic assessments and delivering court-related services in structured, legally oriented environments. Day-to-day work occurs in clinical assessment settings and court venues, involving interviews, testing, collateral contacts, records review, report writing, consultation with legal and child-welfare stakeholders, and expert testimony.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private forensic psychology practices
    • Family and dependency courts (evaluation units/court-appointed roles)
    • Hospital or community clinic forensic programs
    • University-affiliated training clinics/centers
    • Child welfare or juvenile services agencies
    • Mediation and family services centers
    • Government court services or behavioral health departments
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.

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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.