Child Custody Evaluations

• Dr. Lefkowits collaborates with Dr. Michelle New, Director of Kentlands Kids (www.kentlandskids.com), to provide child custody evaluations. Dr. New has over 17 years of experience with an expertise in children and development. Families benefit from the expertise of two experienced clinical psychologists without incurring any additional cost. On each case, either Dr. New or Dr. Lefkowits will be the Lead Evaluator, depending on the nature of each family's psychological and legal needs
• The goal of a custody evaluation is to help the family and/or court understand the family dynamics in a way that will allow for the development of an appropriate plan for custody and visitation of minor children, when such custody and access is in dispute
• An evaluation can benefit the court by assisting the judge in understanding complex questions of parenting fitness, psychological attachment, sibling relationships, developmental needs of each child. The evaluator presents many complexities of family dynamics to the judge in an understandable way to assist in making a decision regarding children and their needs. An evaluation integrates all of these issues into a comprehensive understanding of the family with clear set of specific recommendations
• Ultimately, the court must decide how to use the information from a custody evaluation in any decision making process about custody.

Parenting Fitness Assessment

A parenting fitness evaluation provides the court with more detailed information about the psychological functioning of one or both parents. These evaluations are limited to the parent or parent's and do not involve testing or interviewing of children.

Like a custody evaluation, ultimately it is up to the court to make a determination about how to use the information from an evaluation of this nature.

Substance Abuse Evaluations

Dr. Lefkowits can perform a clinical interview, review documents and conduct a psychological assessment to determine diagnosis and treatment options. This information can then be utilized to assist individuals referred by the court or an attorney to determine what type of intervention is most appropriate and make recommendations about follow-up if necessary. These evaluations are often required after a DWI or DUI.

Tests like the SASSI can be administered to provide useful information about patterns of substance use or abuse.