Psychology & Law Committee

Consultation for Attorneys

PAST CONSULTATIONS:

• Pros & Cons of Confidentiality in Court Ordered Treatment: Impact on the Psychologist, Court, Attorneys and Clients
• Parent Allegations of Child-Sexual Abuse
• Intimate Partner Aggression/Violence
• Munchausen’s by Proxy
• How Psychological Problems Affect Parenting Skills
• Forensic Evaluations
• Rebuttal Consultation
• Impact of High-Conflict Divorce on Children
• Standards and Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in NYS

Committee Members

Objectives and Goals

Provide information and resources to psychologists about the legal system involving forensic psychology and to the legal system about psychological issues relevant to the area of law. Collaborate with the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Judicial System to design better psychological interventions for clients who are involved in legal cases or matters.

1. Provide education and training for psychologists regarding forensic psychology.
2. Present workshops, with the Bar Association and/or the Courts, about psychology issues.
3. Provide information to attorneys about how psychologists can assist them and their clients.
4. Develop resources regarding psychological issues for judges and attorneys.
5. Identify case law relevant to a forensic practice in New York State and disseminate this information to psychologists practicing in this area.
6. Provide public education about various ways psychologists can assist families or family members who are involved with legal issues.

Conferences

• NYSPA Continuing Education: Recognizing Bias and Pursuing Objectivity in Forensic Mental Health Evaluations
  December 5, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Virtual

• American Psychology-Law Society Conference Annual Meeting
  March 12-14, 2026, Reno, Nevada.
  Speakers: Daniel Murrie, PhD & Chriscelyn Tussey, PsyD, ABPP

• AFCC 63rd Annual Conference
  May 27-30, 2026, Seattle, Washington

• AFCC 17th Symposium on Child Custody 
  November 5-7, 2026, Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida

Resources

• Information about Supreme Court in Suffolk and Nassau Counties
• Information about Family Court in Suffolk and Nassau Counties
• Information about the NYS Court System in general: PDF | Website

Links

• American Psychological Association : http://www.apa.org
• American Psychology-Law Society : http://www.ap-ls.org
• American Bar Association : http://www.abanet.org
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts : http://www.afccnet.org/About/AboutAFCC
• New York Association of Collaborative Professionals : www.nycollaborativeprofessionals.org
• Suffolk County Bar Association : http://www.scba.org
• NYSPA Division of Forensic Psychology: http://www.nyspa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=574:forensics-division&catid=92&Itemid=741

Click here for a video podcast - You Are Thinking About Divorce

Click here for a video podcast - Thomas Valva - Child Abuse, Custody, and the Legal System