For Families

Guidance When You're Fighting for Your Children

Last Updated: February 2026

If you're in a high-conflict custody battle, especially involving narcissistic abuse or manipulation, Dr. Tolbert can help you understand your options and connect you with the right experts for your case.

For Families Navigating Complex Custody Matters

Working with Your Attorney to Secure the Right Expert Support

If you're here, you likely know something is deeply wrong in your custody situation. Perhaps:

  • Your ex presents perfectly in court but terrorizes you and the children behind closed doors
  • You've tried to explain the psychological abuse, but it sounds "exaggerated" to professionals
  • The custody evaluator seems to have been completely fooled
  • Your children are being alienated from you through manipulation and lies
  • You feel like the family court system is failing to protect your kids

You're not imagining this. Narcissistic abuse in custody cases is real, devastating, and often invisible to traditional evaluators.

Common Patterns in High-Conflict Cases

  • Charm Offensive: The abusive parent presents as calm, reasonable, and cooperative in court
  • DARVO: They Deny abuse, Attack you, and Reverse Victim and Offender roles
  • Parental Alienation: Subtle (or overt) campaigns to turn children against you
  • Gaslighting Professionals: Manipulating evaluators, therapists, and judges
  • Strategic Documentation: Creating a false paper trail while hiding their own behavior
How Dr. Tolbert Can Help

Expert Guidance for Your Custody Case

Important Note: Dr. Tolbert works primarily with attorneys as part of legal teams under attorney-client privilege. For families, she provides guidance, case assessment, and expert referrals to help you build the strongest possible case.

Case Assessment & Strategy

Dr. Tolbert can review your situation and help you understand:

  • Whether narcissistic abuse patterns are present
  • Red flags in existing evaluations
  • What type of expert witness you need
  • How to work effectively with your attorney

Expert Referrals

Connect with qualified professionals in your jurisdiction:

  • Forensic psychologists who understand narcissistic abuse
  • Attorneys experienced in high-conflict cases
  • Custody evaluators trained in personality disorders
  • Therapists who can support you and your children

Documentation Guidance

Learn how to build a strong evidentiary record:

  • What to document and how
  • Communication strategies with high-conflict co-parents
  • Protecting yourself from false allegations
  • Building credibility with the court
Understanding the Process

What to Expect

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Dr. Tolbert will review your case details, custody evaluation (if any), and current legal situation to understand the dynamics at play.

Step 2: Case Analysis

She'll identify patterns of manipulation, evaluate the quality of any existing psychological assessments, and determine what expert services would strengthen your case.

Step 3: Strategic Recommendations

You'll receive guidance on next steps, including expert referrals, documentation strategies, and how to work with your legal team to present psychological evidence effectively.

Step 4: Ongoing Support

If your attorney engages Dr. Tolbert as a litigation consultant or expert witness, she becomes part of your legal team with all communications protected under attorney-client privilege.

Ready to Get Help?

If you're in a high-conflict custody situation and need expert guidance, request a confidential consultation.

Request Family Consultation

All consultations are completely confidential

Additional Resources

Education & Support

Preparing for Your Custody Case

A practical guide covering documentation, working with your attorney, the evaluation process, and what to expect.

Read the Guide

Custody Evaluation Red Flags

Learn to identify methodological problems, testing errors, and bias indicators in custody evaluations.

See Red Flags

Narcissistic Abuse Guide

Learn to identify covert manipulation tactics and understand how narcissistic abuse operates in custody disputes.

Read the Guide

Family Resources

Access recommended reading, support groups, and strategies for protecting yourself and your children during litigation.

View Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a forensic psychologist help in my custody case?

A forensic psychologist can help by identifying patterns of manipulation, narcissistic abuse, or parental alienation that may be influencing your case. Dr. Tolbert can work with your attorney to analyze custody evaluations, develop legal strategy based on psychological evidence, and make sure the court understands the true dynamics at play.

What is narcissistic abuse in the context of child custody?

Narcissistic abuse in custody cases involves a pattern of manipulation, control, and deception by a parent with narcissistic traits. These individuals often present charmingly to judges, evaluators, and therapists while engaging in gaslighting, triangulation, and impression management that can mislead family court professionals and harm custody outcomes.

What is parental alienation and how is it identified?

Parental alienation occurs when one parent systematically undermines a child's relationship with the other parent through manipulation, negative messaging, and interference with parenting time. Dr. Tolbert identifies alienation through analysis of behavioral patterns, communication records, and psychological dynamics that indicate a campaign to damage the parent-child bond.

Do I need my attorney to retain Dr. Tolbert?

For litigation consulting services, Dr. Tolbert is typically retained through the attorney to make sure all communications are protected under attorney-client privilege. For general educational consultations about custody dynamics, families may contact Dr. Tolbert's office directly at 561-429-2140.

Disclaimer: Dr. Tolbert is a licensed psychologist, not an attorney. She does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Consultation does not create a psychotherapist-patient relationship, and no psychotherapist-patient privilege applies. All information on this site is educational and does not substitute for professional legal or psychological care. Full Disclaimer