Parenting Capacity Evaluations
In-office in Washington, DC's Friendship Heights location, as well as virtually across the United States. In person assessments are available in other states for additional fees.
A parenting capacity evaluation gives courts, attorneys, and families a clear, data-supported picture of how a parent is functioning, their mental health and personality profile, strengths and weaknesses as a caregiver and what support may help them better parent their child.
If you are involved in a custody dispute, a child welfare case, or a request from the court, you need an evaluation you can trust. At Maven Psychology Group, our forensic psychologists provide parenting capacity evaluations for parents. This is not a quick screening or a general personality test. A parental capacity assessment looks closely at your parenting strengths, your child's needs, and how the two fit together, so the findings are thorough, balanced, and built to hold up in a legal setting.
Who Needs a Parenting Capacity Evaluation and Why
Child Custody and Parenting Time Disputes
When parents disagree about custody or parenting time, a court may order a parenting evaluation, or an attorney may request one. A neutral, research-based evaluation gives the court objective information about each parent's strengths and challenges, instead of relying only on competing accounts. When possible, the evaluation will also include observations of and assessment of the child and caregiver interaction, including the strength of their attachment and data regarding their relationship.
Child Welfare and Dependency Cases
If a child welfare agency or family court has raised concerns about your care of your child or another guardian’s care of your child, a parent psychological evaluation can document your abilities, your needs, and the supports that could help. A fair assessment gives you a chance to show your strengths and understand any barriers.
Reunification Planning
When a parent hopes to regain custody or increase time with a child, a parental fitness evaluation can show what progress has been made and what services would support a safe next step.
Attorney-Requested Evaluations
Family law attorneys often seek an independent assessment for parents to inform case strategy, settlement talks, or court filings. Our team provides evaluations, record reviews, and case consultation.
Parents Who Want Clarity
Some parents want an objective look at their own parenting before a legal process begins. A voluntary evaluation can point out strengths and name areas where support would help.
What a Parenting Evaluation Looks At
A parenting capacity evaluation does not judge a parent on a single test or a single bad day. Your psychologist builds the full picture from many sources of data, so the findings reflect your real life. All parents are doing the best they can with the skills they have and Maven Psychology Group will also identify parental strengths and areas where the parent shines.
Clinical Interviews
Every evaluation starts with a conversation. Your psychologist talks with you about your history, your parenting approach, your child's needs, and the concerns that led to the evaluation. We also may want to speak to other caregivers in the child’s life, as well as collateral sources who have observed you with your child.
Psychological Testing
Standardized psychological tests help assess mental health, personality, risk, attachment, and how a parent copes with stress. Results are compared to established norms and are always read alongside the rest of the evidence, never on their own.
Parent-Child Observation
Watching a parent and child interact shows things an interview cannot, such as warmth, communication, and how a parent responds to the child's needs.
Record Review and Outside Information
Your psychologist reviews relevant records, such as court documents, school or medical records, and agency reports. With proper consent or authorization, they may also gather input from other sources who know the family.
A thorough parenting assessment usually looks at:
Your mental health and emotional well-being
Your parenting skills and daily caregiving
Your child's developmental, emotional, and medical needs
Safety concerns and risk factors
Your support system and living situation
The bond between you and your child
What to Expect from a Parenting Capacity Evaluation
A parenting evaluation can feel stressful, especially when a lot is on the line. The process is structured and clear at each step.
Consultation. You or your attorney talk with our team about the reason for the evaluation, who is requesting it, and the questions it needs to answer.
Interviews and testing. You meet with your psychologist for interviews and psychological testing. Plan for 6 to 16 hours across 2 to 3 meetings, including clinical interviews and one to two testing sessions. The total depends on your situation.
Observation and records. Your psychologist observes you with your child and reviews the relevant records.
Written report. Your psychologist scores the tests, weighs all the evidence, and writes a detailed report.
Feedback or testimony. Depending on who requested the evaluation, results are shared with you, your attorney, or the court.
Our role is to provide objective information. The court or agency makes the final decision.
Why Choose Maven for a Parental Capacity Evaluation
Parenting evaluations carry high stakes, and they need a careful, defensible approach. Maven's forensic team is led by a licensed psychologist who is also a trained attorney, so our evaluations are built with the legal system in mind. Our clinicians have been qualified as experts in jurisdictions across the United States, and our reports are designed to hold up under scrutiny. We also bring real clinical experience with children, families, and trauma, so every parent is treated with respect and every child's needs stay at the center of the work.
Meet Your Parenting Capacity Evaluation Specialists
Currently accepting new clients.Dr. Zoé Fiske, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist in DC. Licensed via PSYPACT in MD, VA, and 43 other participating states.
Dr. Zoé Fiske is a clinical and forensic psychologist who works with adults and adolescents. She conducts parenting capacity evaluations and has extensive experience with forensic evaluations in criminal and civil matters, including competency, civil damages, and trauma. She recognizes that court involvement, including family matters, can be extremely stressful, and she is passionate about supporting people through the legal process. Dr. Fiske completed postdoctoral training in criminal forensic evaluations and holds a doctorate in psychology from Indiana State University.
Dr. Renee DeBoard-Lucas, PhD, Licensed Psychologist in DC and MD. Licensed via PSYPACT in 43 participating states.
Dr. Renee DeBoard-Lucas conducts parenting capacity evaluations and brings more than 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. She is a former staff psychologist at the Tree House Child Advocacy Center, where she oversaw the center’s assessment program. Her research focuses on children’s experiences of family conflict and intimate partner violence, which informs how she understands a child’s needs within the family. She is nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Currently accepting new clientsDr. Lana Batarseh, PhD, Licensed Psychology Associate in DC
Dr. Lana Batarseh is a licensed psychology associate whose practice includes forensic and clinical work. She completed her APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, and provides services in criminal and civil matters. Her forensic work includes psychological testing and risk assessment, and she brings a trauma-informed, collaborative approach to complex legal situations. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology at Palo Alto University.
Dr. Jenna Calton, PhD, Co-Founding Partner, Licensed Psychologist in DC, FL, VA
Dr. Jenna Calton has worked with children and families since 2012. She conducts forensic psychological assessments and record reviews related to child and adult trauma, including cases involving abuse, interpersonal violence, and medical trauma. She also has particular expertise in strengthening parent-child relationships, and her work often includes live parent coaching. Dr. Calton is a Within Agency Trainer in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and has served as the Psychology Internship Program Director at a Child Advocacy Center.
Currently accepting new clientsDr. Stephanie Wolf, JD, PhD, Co-Founding Partner, Licensed Psychologist in DC, MD, VA, Psy
Dr. Stephanie Wolf is a forensic and clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience. She conducts parenting capacity assessments and has a subspecialty in child custody and parenting matters. Her forensic work also includes court evaluations, expert record review, and trial consultation, and she routinely testifies as an expert witness across the country. Dr. Wolf holds a law degree and is licensed to practice law in Maryland and Washington, DC. She is trained in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Alternatives For Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), both of which are evidence-based treatments that help reduce parenting stress and family conflict. Dr. Wolf also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the forensic psychology program at George Washington University.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parenting Capacity Evaluations
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A parenting capacity evaluation is a psychological assessment that looks at a parent's ability to meet a child's needs. It combines interviews, testing, observation, and record review to give a balanced picture of a parent's strengths, challenges, and support needs.
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Not exactly. A custody evaluation usually looks at both parents and the child to inform decisions about custody and parenting time. A parenting capacity assessment focuses on one parent's ability to care for a child, and it is often used in child welfare, reunification, or dependency cases. The two can overlap.
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Courts, child welfare agencies, and attorneys often request them. In some cases, a parent may seek one voluntarily.
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It depends on who is requesting the evaluation. When a court orders one, the court or the parties may select the evaluator. Our team can talk with you or your attorney about your situation during a free consultation.
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That depends on who requested the evaluation and what was agreed to at the start. Your psychologist will explain who receives the report before the evaluation begins.
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A good evaluation does more than list concerns. It names your strengths, explains what is driving any problems, and recommends services or supports that could help.
Parenting Capacity Evaluations in Washington, DC
Maven Psychology Group offers in-person parenting capacity evaluations at its Friendship Heights office in Washington, DC. Our forensic team also serves clients in Maryland and Virginia. If you are an attorney, a court, or a parent looking for a thorough, fair evaluation, reach out to schedule a free consultation.