Family courts often request a Parenting Capacity Evaluation when questions arise about a parent’s ability to provide safe, stable, and nurturing care. The Institute of Forensic Psychology (IFP) conducts these evaluations to help the court make decisions that balance child safety, parental rights, and developmental needs.
Our Approach
Parenting Capacity Evaluations at IFP typically include:
- Clinical interviews with each parent or caregiver.
- Psychological testing to assess personality, functioning, and risk factors.
- Record review, including child welfare, legal, and medical documentation.
- Collateral contacts with professionals involved in the case.
- Parent–child observations as appropriate to assess interaction quality.
What We Address
- A parent’s ability to meet a child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
- The presence of mental health, substance use, or behavioral concerns that affect parenting.
- Protective and risk factors within the home environment.
- Readiness for change and engagement in services.
- Practical recommendations for custody, visitation, or reunification planning.
Reporting
IFP provides structured, objective reports that summarize findings and explain how they relate to the court’s referral question. Recommendations are clear, evidence-based, and legally useful.
Why Choose IFP
IFP delivers evaluations that are objective, evidence-based, and trusted in court. Our multi-credentialed team employs a thorough and impartial process to ensure that findings are clear, relevant, and legally useful. We prioritize timeliness without sacrificing quality, and every evaluation is conducted with professional respect and cultural competence.
We look forward to working with you and supporting the critical decisions entrusted to the courts.
Trusted Support for Family Court Decisions
IFP provides Parenting Capacity Evaluations to assist family courts in protecting children’s best interests. Our reports are thorough, impartial, and designed to provide clear answers to referral questions.
To request an evaluation, please contact IFP directly, and a member of our team will follow up with you shortly.