Playing in Their Sandbox: Professional Obligations of Mental Health Professionals in Custody Cases

Mental health professionals (MHPs) working with court-involved families practice at the interface of psychology and law. MHPs practicing in the legal context are governed by the ethics codes and standards of their profession, but must also adjust their practices to the expectations and standards of the legal arena. The judicial system, mental health, legal and interdisciplinary organizations may present different ethical standards/recommendations, leading to tension and controversy among the various professionals' obligations and concerns. In this article, the authors identify core ethical issues and concepts that underlie most professional practice standards applicable to MHPs in family law cases. Case examples are presented that demonstrate common ethical dilemmas and proactive, effective approaches to avoiding or resolving them.