The Business of Practice

How Can I, as a Forensic Psychologist, Identify and Mitigate Bias in Child Custody Evaluations and Parenting Plans?

Written by Owen Poindexter | Nov 20, 2025 10:23:10 PM

For forensic psychologists, minimizing bias in child custody and parenting plan evaluations is an ethical imperative. These high-stakes assessments directly influence judicial decisions that shape children's lives and family structures, and they are vulnerable to the same cognitive biases that affect all human judgment, including expert decision-making. Training that attunes one to natural human blind spots is essential for forensic psychologists working in child custody, both for promoting optimal outcomes and maintaining ethical standards.