Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D.
— Forensic Psychology and Assessment
Areas of Expertise: Family Law Valuation; Family Law Valuations
I am a licensed Psychologist/Health Service Provider. Services include expert witness testimony and opinions, forensic psychological evaluation, psychological assessment. My practice specializes in child custody matters, parental fitness and in the development of parenting plans. More detailed information follows:
Psychological Testing & Assessment
Comprehensive psychological assessment, testing and evaluation can prove to be invaluable tools for the attorney in both civil and criminal cases. Through the use of in-depth interviews and an extensive battery of standardized tests with highly reproducible and visual results, an integrated psychological and behavioral profile emerges. Through assessment, specific behaviors can be put in context, accurate diagnoses made, the severity of disturbance understood, informed recommendations proffered and prognoses determined.
USES OF ASSESSMENT
- Clarification of cognitive, emotional and psychological functioning
- Description of interpersonal relationships
- Appraisal and prediction of capacity for control
APPLICATIONS
- Determination of competency, diminished capacity, impaired judgment and
mitigating circumstances - Bail hearings
- Sentencing
- Assessment of sexual abuse allegations
- Substantiation of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Custody determination
- Competency
Child Custody Expert/Child Custody Evaluator/Guardian ad litem
The GAL's job is to meet with you and your child and tell the Court what the GAL believes is best for your child. The GAL represents the best interests of your child. The GAL does not represent you. The GAL is empowered to investigate and/or evaluate the entire background, living conditions, family relationships, and any other related matters in order to make recommendations to the court as to what might be in the best interests of the child as to placement, visitation, and other matters that the court may rule on. GAL's make home visits, and speak or communicate with others who know the children or family members. The GAL usually makes a report to the court recommending a specific outcome. The report of the GAL can sometimes lead to settlement without the expense of trial. However, if the parties do not agree with the GAL's findings, and cannot come to an agreement at a pretrial settlement conference, they then can go to trial at which the judge makes the final determination on custody and others matters that were heard.