Family Forensics Training ProgramLinda Gunsberg, Ph.D., ChairIn response to the growing need for trained professionals to conduct court-ordered evaluations and to provide expert witness testimony in family litigation, Washington Square Institute is pleased to offer a two-year comprehensive program in Family Forensics. The program consists of a sequence of courses which address the major theoretical, legal, ethical, and practical issues and tasks involved in family forensic work. Mock trial experience and a forensic externship are integrated with course material. Upon completion of the program, graduates will receive a certificate in Family Forensics and will be equipped with the knowledge and basic skills for a practice in this challenging field. Descriptions of CoursesFirst YearThe first year of the Family Forensics program introduces candidates to the major psychological, legal, ethical, and practical issues involved in family forensic evaluations. Candidates develop skills in gathering essential data relevant to the legal issues, report writing and recommendations. In addition, candidates are offered a developmental psychoanalytic framework for understanding both the continuum of normal to psychopathological development of children and their parents and the complexity of the questions that the forensic evaluator is asked to address. I. Foundations in Family Forensic Evaluations The first semester of this course introduces the major psychological, legal and ethical issues in family forensic work. Fall, Tues., 8:00pm-9:30pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Instructor: Linda Gunsberg, Ph.D. The second semester focuses on the child custody and visitation evaluation, assessment of parental capacities, and the impact of the forensic evaluation on the family and forensic evaluation Spring, Tues., 8:00pm-9:30pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Instructor: Linda Gunsberg, Ph.D. II. The Developmental Psychoanalytic Framework for Family Forensic Evaluations: The Continuum of Normalcy to Psychopathology The first semester of this course focuses on adult and parent development from the perspective of family forensic work. Fall, Tues., 6:30pm-8:00pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Instructor: Steven Demby, Ph.D. The second semester of the above course focuses on infant and early child development, including adoption, from the perspective of the kinds of questions raised by the court about the child. See page 16 (III) for third semester description. Spring, Tues., 6:30pm-8:00pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Instructor: Billie Pivnick, Ph.D. Second Year The second year of the program further elaborates the role of the forensic expert, writing the forensic report, court testimony, and cross examination. Specific emphasis is placed on the relevance of the developmental psychoanalytic perspective on childhood and adolescence to legal questions raised by the court, the detection of malingering in children and parents, and the assessment of domestic violence, child abuse, munchausen by proxy, parental neglect, and termination of parental rights. The second year of training includes externship experience in relevant forensic settings and participation in mock trials. I. Family Forensic Evaluations for the Court This course refines the candidate’s skills in writing the forensic report and offering recommendations to the court. Specific emphasis is placed on the detection of malingering in children and parents, and the assessment of domestic violence, child abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), munchausen by proxy, parental alienation, parental child abduction, parental neglect, and termination of parental rights. Fall, Tues., 8:00pm-9:30pm Spring, Tues., 8:00pm-9:30pm 30 sessions, Fee: $1100.00 Instructor: Linda Gunsberg, Ph.D. II. Externship in Family Forensics Candidates will work one day per week in relevant forensic settings. Supervision is offered either at the externship site or Washington Square Institute. Early October through July. Supervision at Washington Square Institute, TBA Fee: $1100.00 Externship Supervision Coordinator: Wilma Cohen Lewis, Ph.D. III. The Developmental Psychoanalytic Framework for Family Forensic Evaluations: The Continuum of Normalcy to Psychopathology The third semester of this course focuses on child and adolescent development from the perspective of legal questions raised by the court. Fall, Tues., 6:30pm-8:00pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Team taught by Forensic Faculty IV. Mock Trial Experience as the Forensic Expert Candidates participate in mock trials as the forensic expert in child custody and visitation, domestic violence, child abuse, parental neglect, and termination of parental rights cases. Practicing lawyers examine and cross-examine the candidate as forensic expert. Spring, Tues., 6:30-8:00pm 15 sessions, Fee: $550.00 Instructor: Jay Dennis Cohen, J.D. Requirements for completion of the Family Forensics Training Program include:1. Successful completion of all courses and externship2. Two completed court evaluations, one to be presented to a review panel 3. A scholarly paper on some aspect of family forensic work Washington Square Institute is chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Upon satisfactory completion of all the requirements of this training program, a certificate in Family Forensics is awarded. Admission RequirementsSocial Workers: M.S.W., C.S.W., Ph.D., or D.S.W. in social workPsychologists: Ph.D. or Psy.D. candidates with all course work completed in clinical, school or counseling psychology. Psychiatrists: Completion of adult psychiatry residency or adult and child psychiatry residency requirements. Applicants will be requested to submit an application, graduate school or medical school transcripts, and three professional references. Interviews will be arranged. The application deadline for the training program beginning in Fall, 2006, is September 1st. For further information, please contact, Registrar, Washington Square Institute, 212 477-2600 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
