[Solved] What might a psychological assessment involve?

Not one I have any experience with - the pyschologist might be able to tell you what to expect, or where to find that information.

Thanks actd, just not sure how to approach it. With Cafcass he tried not to criticise the ex at all but they wrote a terrible report, his solicitor keeps saying if ex is trying to cooperate the judge will expect him to go along with it. But how can a man who has been through all he has praise ex for her parenting skills when she’s been found to have alienated and emotionally harmed their children. I guess keep it totally child oreintated and try not to talk about the effect this has had on him if he can. He’s also scaring himself silly reading horror reports about inadequately trained psychologists who just perform a tick box exercise. I hate all this, it’s game playing for the court and sadly his ex is a skilled game player, she’s playing one now we just can’t work out what she’s trying to gain from it. Time will tell no doubt.

I think it's appropriate to talk about his concerns for the children, and the impact this has had on him to an extent.... whilst maintaining control over his emotions... it's a fine line to walk. I'm assuming the psychologist will have an idea of the history behind the case, but i would let them take the lead, he should take a moment to consider his responses to any questions and if he's struggling he can use the "taking a drink from his water bottle" tactic, or a trip to the bathroom if he needs.

Honesty, openness, being child centred and looking to a brighter future for them all... I think it would be useful if he can show that he wants to move forward and is capable of drawing a line under the past to achieve a better future for his children. It's a big ask from him, he's been through so much, urge him. Not to think too much about what ifs and concentrate on the job at hand. Perhaps you could do some role play, let him try some different approaches out on you! to get him prepared for how he wants to handle the meeting.

All the best

Thanks Mojo I’ll pass that on. Keeping emotions in check is a big issue, there is so much anger and distrust of the court and anyone associated with it that may come across badly. His only concern is truly for his children and what they have been put through because no one listened to him.

Reading the psychologists remit, it's about moving it forward isn't it, so that should be the main focus for him. I would have thought there may be some questioning about how he felt, but the emphasis is on her remit and so that should be his too.

It will take time for him to let go of what's happened, it's been so traumatic and he's only human! I think it's ok to admit that, but to also say that he's working on it and he is highly motivated in putting the children front and centre of the future...I think he should share his hopes too and for him to give a positive slant, if he can do that I'm sure it would help. Has he considered counselling himself, that might be something worth considering.

Yes Mojo the remit is all about moving forward and reestablishing a relationship with his children, there is even a hint about changing residency. But he just can’t see any positivity in it. It’s all there, I can see it and I really don’t think the meeting will be the ordeal he’s envisaging but after 4 years of being disbelieved, investigated, treated like a criminal he’s struggling. It breaks my heart.

Yes he tried counselling but she said she couldn’t help him as the situation was beyond his control. I think she was pretty useless to be honest.

Harli your other half's story sounds so similar to mine in many respects, i've been askign for a child pshycologists to be appointed to get to the truth of my childs refusal to even write to me let alone speak or see me.

i've been fighting for over 8yrs now and 3yrs ago was feeling very positive that the truth was being seen over the lies and mis-direction my ex was spouting. the ex was told in no uncertain terms in 2013 that had i got the correct paperwork she would have been handed a suspended sentance for breaking court orders....18mths of uninteruppted contact followed but she wouldn't agree to any more than ordered .... i.e. she wouldn't agree with extra contacts as it was not ordered...3 overnights in 18mths was all...i had to apply to court for contact to be extended after her continual refusals to my requests.

So 2015...applciation went in, she stopped all contact and i then had delay after delay after delay in getting court to do anything....then a [censored] CAFCASS worker "ticking boxes" totally killed off the previously ordered weekly direct contact to to zero in an "expressed" wishes and feelings report where she failed to accept and refused to re-visit the previous 5yrs of CAFCASS reports condeming the ex for stopping and frustrating contact and putting our child at serious risk of emotional harm.
she took the ex and child at their word, no reason given by child not wanting to see me other than "i don't want to" and when asked why not "cos i don't!"

cafcass worker took it at face value, the recorder (part time judge) went with the cafcass report, and as per cafcass refused to look at the previous 5yrs case history and just like that ordered no direct contact!
i had a mackenzie friend with me that day who said i should appeal on the grounds that the cafcass report was full of contradictions and didn't fully investigate the reason for my child not wanting contact after years of reported good contacts...and also that the judge failed to admit the previous case history docs in to the court.
i couldn't appeal there and then as workign out the costs for taking it to appeal (appeal courts in London) just took it out of my finacial constraints, so i've had to wait until i could re-apply for change to the order....although loads more delays has taken another year and half for it to get to the currect position of yet another final hearing.

the current judge seems to have a good gist of the previous 8yrs history of my battle for more contact, i just pray that he has and that he can see the ex for the nasty vinidctive piece of work she is...just like the Judges from 2011-2013 did.

the biggest worry i have is the now obvious emotional harm this is having on my child and what me continuing to fight to regain (child) back in my life will do to (child)....that then makes me worry and think about walking away before it really does harm my child.

will a pshycologist really help my child? i can only hope and pray that someone is able to help and protect him because i as their father haven't found a way to within the family justice system these last 8yrs