Custody Evaluations

Custody evaluations at The Family Guidance Center are conducted by Dr. Jenny Seiss, a licensed psychologist with more than a decade of experience working with children and families. Dr. Seiss has devoted much of her career to studying how parent-child relationships shape children’s emotional development, behavior, and well-being. Her work focuses on understanding each family’s unique story and helping parents, attorneys, and courts make informed decisions that prioritize the needs of the child.

Dr. Seiss' role is to provide the court with a thorough, unbiased, and psychologically informed assessment of the family system. This includes evaluating the needs of the children, the strengths and challenges of each parent, and the dynamics that influence relationships and functioning within the family. The information and recommendations offered in a custody evaluation are designed to assist the court in making decisions that serve the best interests of the child.

A custody evaluation is not about determining which parent is “better.” Instead, it’s a comprehensive process aimed at understanding:

Each parent’s strengths, parenting style, and capacity to meet their child’s needs
The child’s temperament, preferences, relationships, and developmental needs
The ways in which family dynamics - including communication, conflict, and attachment — impact the child’s well-being
Potential risk factors such as exposure to conflict, abuse, neglect, or substance use

The evaluation process typically includes interviews with parents and children, psychological testing, a review of records, interviews with collateral sources such as teachers, therapists, or extended family members, and occasionally home visits.

Research consistently shows that, when it is safe and healthy, children benefit from having strong, meaningful relationships with both parents. In many cases, the goal of a custody evaluation is to support and preserve those relationships by identifying ways to reduce conflict, improve co-parenting, and create a stable, nurturing environment for the child. However, there are situations, such as when safety concerns, abuse, or other significant risks are present, where it may be necessary to recommend a different arrangement to protect the child’s physical and emotional health.

No two families are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The purpose of a custody evaluation is to bring clarity and objectivity to a complex situation, highlight the strengths and challenges of each parent, and provide the court with information it can use to make decisions that will best support the child’s growth, stability, and long-term well-being.

Before your first appointment, you will receive detailed instructions about the evaluation process and how to prepare. In the meantime, we encourage you to review our FAQs below, which explain what to expect, how the process unfolds, and how a custody evaluation can support your family during this important transition.

FAQ's

Can I call and schedule an appointment for a custody evaluation?

Custody evaluations must be ordered by the court or requested by both attorneys and agreed upon by the judge. Because these evaluations are part of a legal process, they cannot be scheduled in the same way as a regular therapy appointment.

If you’re considering a custody evaluation, speak with your attorney first. Once the court issues an order (or both parties and the judge agree), our office will work with you to gather the necessary paperwork, schedule interviews, and begin the evaluation process.

What should I tell Dr. Seiss?

Honesty and openness are essential. Dr. Seiss’ job is to understand the dynamics of your family, your child’s needs, and how each parent can best meet those needs. This means sharing information about:

Your parenting strengths and challenges
Any concerns you have about the other parent
Details about your child’s emotional, social, and developmental needs
Past events or patterns that might be relevant to custody (e.g., conflict, substance use, safety issues)

It’s also important to share your perspective without trying to “win” the evaluation. Custody evaluations are not about proving who’s right or wrong - they’re about gathering objective information so the court can make decisions in the child’s best interest.

What should I tell my child?

Keep it simple and reassuring. Children should know that meeting with Dr. Seiss is not a test and that they are not in trouble. You might say something like:

“We’re meeting with someone who talks to families going through changes. Her job is to make sure kids are okay and to help adults make good decisions for you.”

Avoid coaching your child on what to say or asking them questions about what they discussed afterward. Dr. Seiss wants to hear directly from your child in their own words, and pressure (even unintentional) can make them anxious or less forthcoming.

What kind of recommendations will Dr. Seiss make?

Dr. Seiss provides recommendations that focus on the best interests of the child based on psychological science, family dynamics, and child development. These may include:

Parenting time schedules (e.g., shared custody, primary residence, supervised visitation)
Co-parenting communication or boundaries
Recommendations for therapy, parenting education, or family counseling
Support services (e.g., trauma therapy, substance use treatment) if needed

It’s important to understand that Dr. Seiss does not make custody decisions - the judge does. Her role is to provide the court with a comprehensive, unbiased psychological perspective that the judge uses to guide legal decisions.

How long will it take to get answers and a report?

A custody evaluation is a detailed and time-intensive process. Most evaluations take 6–12 weeks from start to finish, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of people involved, and how quickly all parties complete their interviews, testing, and paperwork.

Once all components are completed, Dr. Seiss will prepare a written report summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the court.

What if I do not agree with Dr. Seiss’ report or recommendations?

It’s not uncommon for one or both parents to disagree with parts of a custody evaluation. You have the right to review the report with your attorney and address any concerns in court. The judge may consider additional evidence, testimony, or expert opinions before making a final decision.

Can my child or I see Dr. Seiss for private therapy?

No. If Dr. Seiss is serving as a custody evaluator in your case, she cannot provide therapy to you or your child. Doing so would create a conflict of interest and compromise the objectivity of the evaluation.

If ongoing therapy is recommended, Dr. Seiss can refer you to a separate provider who is not involved in the court process.

How should I prepare for the evaluation?

Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

Be on time and responsive to all scheduling and paperwork requests.
Provide any relevant documents (e.g., school reports, medical records, prior evaluations).
Focus on your child’s needs, not just your grievances with the other parent.
Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent to your child or trying to influence their statements.
Be open and transparent - withholding information usually makes things worse, not better.

Additional Things to Know

Cost: Custody evaluations are a significant professional service and are billed as such. Fees will be discussed before the evaluation begins and are typically split between parties, though payment arrangements vary by court order.
Confidentiality: Information gathered during a custody evaluation is not confidential in the same way therapy is. Findings and recommendations are shared with the court and both parties’ attorneys.
Neutrality: Dr. Seiss’ role is neutral — she is not an advocate for either parent. Her duty is to the child’s best interests and to provide objective, professional information to assist the court.