Business Details
46 Years
experience
Expert Forensic Psychological Services in Phoenix, AZ
As a forensic psychologist with over four decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to providing objective, research-based evaluations and consultations in complex legal cases. Since establishing my practice in 1980, I have conducted thousands of psychological assessments related to personal injury, child custody, and trauma, adhering strictly to the highest professional standards. My work follows guidelines from the American Psychological Association and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, ensuring comprehensive, ethical, and legally sound analyses.With dual licensure in Minnesota and Arizona, I serve as a trusted expert in forensic matters, including parenting coordination and review of child forensic interviews. My contributions to academic research, including publications in Psychological Injury and Law, and presentations at international conferences reflect my commitment to advancing the field. I prioritize transparency, empathy, and rigorous methodology in every case, offering tailored support to attorneys, families, and professionals navigating sensitive psychological and legal challenges.
Services
Personal Injury Evaluations
Child Custody Evaluations
Parenting Coordination
Forensic Interview Reviews
Report Consultation
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of forensic psychology experience in trauma and legal evaluations.
- Our team follows APA and AFCC guidelines for ethical, standardized practices.
- We provide court testimony and peer-reviewed research contributions for credibility.
- Our services include personalized parenting coordination and forensic interview reviews.
- Licensed in both Minnesota and Arizona for cross-state legal case support.
What people say
Knowledge, passion, ethical grounding
Exceptionally competent forensic psychologist
Objective facts and thoroughness
Highest recommendation for complex cases
Compassionate and great advocate
Services
Personal Injury Evaluations
Comprehensive psychological evaluations for legal cases involving trauma, abuse, or accidents. Utilizes clinical interviews, testing, and collateral reviews to assess emotional damages. Supports plaintiffs and defense counsel with objective, court-ready findings.
Child Custody Evaluations
Court-mandated evaluations following APA and AFCC guidelines. Includes parent and child interviews, observational sessions, and document reviews to determine custody arrangements in the child's best interest.
Parenting Coordination
Mediation and decision-making services for high-conflict families under court supervision. Focuses on implementing parenting plans and resolving disputes using Arizona Rule 74 and AFCC standards.
Forensic Interview Reviews
Objective analysis of child forensic interviews to assess validity and psychological impact. Provides expert opinions for legal teams handling abuse or trauma-related cases.
Consultation Services
Tailored advice for attorneys and professionals on case strategy, trauma research, and psychological evidence interpretation. Includes pre-trial preparation and ethical practice recommendations.
People
Susan Phipps-Yonas
Forensic Psychologist
Licensed psychologist with 40+ years of experience in forensic evaluations, trauma research, and legal consultations. Published author and international speaker on child abuse and psychological resilience.
Questions
What services do you offer as a forensic psychologist?
I provide personal injury evaluations, child custody assessments, parenting coordination, forensic interview reviews, and expert testimony for legal cases.
How many years of experience do you have in forensic psychology?
I have over 40 years of experience conducting forensic evaluations and consulting on trauma, custody, and legal cases since 1980.
Are your evaluations admissible in court?
Yes, my assessments follow APA and AFCC guidelines, ensuring they meet legal standards for court admissibility.
Do you work with both plaintiffs and defense attorneys?
Yes, I serve as an impartial expert for both plaintiff and defense counsel in civil and family law cases.
Can you assist with out-of-state cases?
I am licensed in Minnesota and Arizona but can consult on cases nationwide through document reviews and testimony.
How do you ensure objectivity in evaluations?
I base opinions on empirical research, standardized protocols, and comprehensive data collection to maintain impartiality.
