Developing and Managing a Child Custody Practice

This study explored how psychologists developed and managed a child custody practice. A national sample of 138 psychologists obtained from public access referral sites and a child custody listserv responded to the survey, with a total sample response rate of 44%. The majority of respondents gradually developed their child custody practices as an outgrowth of other practice areas. Prerequisite training for many respondents seemed insufficient, but they became increasingly invested in professional development over time, despite the majority's devoting less than half their time to this professional activity. Respondents reported satisfaction in conducting child custody evaluations but also saw it as a stressful and high-risk type of practice, as was evidenced by the high number of licensing board, ethics, and malpractice complaints reported.

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