Forensic FAQs: What Is Forensic Psychology, Exactly?
Knowledge of — and comfort with — the legal system sets these providers apart.
2025 has been hard. Your spouse blindsided you with a divorce announcement, and you just hired an attorney. Meanwhile, your kids are splitting their time between two homes, and you and your ex can’t agree on how to parent through it. This all puts a huge strain on your mental health, but even worse, you can see that your kids’ well-being is suffering — and you’re sure that the custody arrangement is largely to blame. Counseling sounds like a good solution, and your group chat keeps recommending it, but here’s the kicker: Every practice you've called tells you that they don't work with families who are going to court. You’re pushing a boulder uphill, and you’re exhausted.
If this sounds familiar, it’s likely that a therapist who specializes in forensic psychology is the right fit for your family, and may be able to offer the reprieve that you’re looking for. But if you’ve only heard the word “forensic” in shows like CSI, you might be intimidated by it. What does it mean, anyway?
We’re here to break it down. Read on to get a clear understanding of why this type of psychology exists, who it’s designed for, and how it can help.
What makes a forensic psychologist different from a regular psychologist?
In a (few) words: legal stuff. Forensic providers have a deep knowledge of the legal system, which includes the courts and everything associated with legal processes. They also, crucially, feel comfortable in that world (and have the closets stocked with pants suits to prove it). While a traditional practitioner might balk at the idea of appearing in court for a patient, to a forensic psychologist, that’s just a regular Tuesday. Some of the expertise that forensic professionals bring includes:
The ability to write treatment notes that are court-appropriate
The ability to appear in court as an expert witness
A high level of comfort speaking with attorneys and other legal professionals
The ability to develop a treatment plan that aligns with court orders
The ability to do custody evaluations
Expertise in specialized therapy, such as reunification therapy
When might it make sense to work with one?
When you’re in the middle of a legal battle, you’re stressed. On top of your already busy life as a parent, you’ve got paperwork to handle and a million calls to make, and you’re often living through an upsetting life transition to boot. In moments when you’re stretched thin (and handling it all after bedtime, when you’d give anything to be on the couch with a comfort show), you want a well-staffed psychologist’s office who picks up the phone when you call, isn’t ruffled by your situation, and understands how to handle legal cases. In tandem, you want a provider you trust who’s calm and confident in the face of the many ins and outs of the legal system.
Ideally, even if what you’re facing feels overwhelming to you, your provider and their office take it all in stride. When a new and unexpected challenge arises, you aren’t met with impatience (or worse, silence). Instead, you get empathy, knowledge, and a clear path forward.
With that in mind, it makes sense to work with a forensic professional if the legal system is in any way involved, or you have reason to believe it will become involved. That might be the case if:
You and your partner are going through a divorce, and your child needs therapy or evaluation.
You are already divorced, and you and your ex-partner do not agree on the psychological treatment — such as an Autism evaluation — that your child needs.
Your child has experienced a traumatic event, such as bullying or sexual assault, that may end up being brought to court.
A parent in your family has been estranged or separated, and wants to reconnect with their children through reunification therapy.
How is working with a forensic therapist or psychologist different from traditional therapy?
This is key, so take note: treatment that you receive from a forensic professional will not be different from what you would receive from any other member of our professional staff. Whether you hire them for tele-therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Autism diagnosis and treatment, or any other service, our wonderful forensic staff will schedule a consultation, and then recommend the appropriate services based on your specific case. Once you’ve worked together to determine the right treatment plan, they’ll provide the highest standard of care, in the same format that you’d otherwise receive.
So what is the difference? It’s in the add-ons: in addition to that care, you benefit from their command of the legal system as it pertains to precisely what you’re going through, and you get mental healthcare combined with legal expertise when you and your kids need it most.
The bottom line: when life as a parent coincides with courts, lawyers, and lawsuits, your fastest avenue to peace of mind is meaningful and informed support. At Thriving Child Center and PCIT Experts, we’re gratified to be able to offer it. Finally, you can cross “figure out counseling” off of your ever-expanding to-do list, and replace it with scheduled sessions on the calendar — knowing that from now on, you and your children are in the capable hands of someone who’s seen it all and will get you through it with grace.
Got more questions, about this topic or anything else? Reach out to us anytime.
Please note that you do not need to live in Texas to receive forensic psychology at Thriving Child Center. We psychologist is licensed to provide virtual therapy in 43 states. If you live in a state on this list, she is able to meet with you virtually.