100997: Guidelines for Psychological Evaluations in Child Protection Matters

About the Course:

The problems of abused and neglected children are epidemic in our society and create issues that psychologists and other clinicians may be called upon to address. As the complexity of mental health practice increases and the reciprocal involvement between clinicians and the public broadens, the need for guidelines to educate the profession, the public and the other interested parties regarding desirable professional practice in child protection matters has expanded and will probably continue to expand in the foreseeable future. Although clinicians may assume various roles and responsibilities in such proceedings, these guidelines were developed primarily for psychologists conducting psychological evaluations in child protection matters.

Journal/Publisher:

American Psychological Association

Publication Date:

February 1998

Author

American Psychological Association

About the Authors:

Based in Washington, DC, the American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With 150,000 members, the APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about the provision or interpretation of mental health evaluations in child protection matters. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Define the role of the psychologist or other mental health clinician in conducting evaluations in child protection matters.

2. Describe the conditions under which a child protection evaluation might be conducted.

3. List and discuss issues in preparing to conduct a child protection evaluation.

4. List and discuss procedural issues in conducting child protection evaluations.

5. Define common terms used in child protection matters.