Expert Parental Capacity Evaluations in Williamsburg
Forensic Psychological Evaluation for Virginia Courts
Dr. Brent Peterson has provided forensic parent capacity evaluations for more than twenty years. He maintains working relationships with eight Virginia court jurisdictions. The practice completes parent capacity, child custody, and forensic court psychological assessments. We also produce in-depth written evaluations and provide expert witness testimony.
A parent capacity evaluation answers a question the court cannot answer from the bench. What can each parent actually provide, and what does this particular child need? The evaluation is a clinical-forensic examination, not a character assessment. Moreover, we conduct it the same way regardless of who requested it.
The Evaluator’s Role
The evaluator is neutral. The court is the client, not the parent who called first. That distinction governs everything about how the evaluation runs. We do not negotiate findings or promise favorable conclusions in advance. Instead, the report goes where the court order directs. We also follow standard forensic informed-consent procedures. At the outset, we tell every participant who will see the report. In addition, we explain that the usual confidentiality of therapy does not apply.
What an Evaluation Involves
A comprehensive evaluation typically includes:
• Separate clinical interviews with each parent
• Child interviews suited to the child’s age and development
• Observation of each parent with the child
• Psychological testing of the parents that fits the referral question
• Collateral contacts — teachers, physicians, therapists, and other third parties with direct knowledge
• Record review — court filings, prior evaluations, school, medical, and treatment records
• A written report that sets out method, data, findings, and reasoning in a form suitable for the court
The referral question and the court order set the scope. When the case calls for a broader forensic psychological evaluation, we complete it within the same process.
Types of Cases
• Parent capacity and parental fitness evaluations
• Child custody and visitation evaluations
• Termination of parental rights
• Court-ordered forensic psychological evaluations
• Expert witness testimony and deposition
For Attorneys and Courts
We accept referrals by court order or by stipulation of counsel. We also accept retention by a single party when the applicable rules and the court permit it. Evaluations take about two months from start to finish. However, the timeline can stretch when clients miss appointments, delay scheduling, or reschedule.
For Parents
If a court has ordered you to participate, know this first: the process is structured and the same for everyone. Before it begins, we explain what it involves, which records we request, and who reads the report. Participating fully and answering honestly serves you better than trying to manage impressions. Evaluators watch for impression management, and it usually shows.