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Complete Family ServicesDr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD
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Forensic psychology

Forensic services rooted in two decades of family court experience.

Family court decisions shape lives for years. Whether you need reunification therapy, divorce mediation, or forensic consultation, our practice brings clinical depth, courtroom fluency, and genuine human understanding. Dr. Hickson Barez's more than 20 years as a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator informs every aspect of this work.

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A quiet office setting suggesting careful forensic evaluation work
Overview

Where clinical expertise meets legal clarity.

Forensic psychology sits at the intersection of mental health and the legal system. It requires a clinician who understands both worlds: someone who can conduct a rigorous psychological assessment and translate the findings into language that courts, attorneys, and families can use to make informed decisions.

Dr. Hickson Barez has worked in forensic psychology for more than three decades. Over more than 20 years as a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator, she conducted hundreds of custody evaluations, served as a divorce mediator, provided expert testimony in family courts across Los Angeles County, and consulted with family law attorneys on complex cases involving custody, visitation, relocation, and parental fitness. She co-authored a chapter in The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology and is a Certified Divorce Mediator.

What distinguishes her work is the integration of forensic rigor with genuine clinical sensitivity. A custody evaluation is more than a legal document. It is a window into a family's life, and the children at the center of these cases deserve an evaluator who treats the process with gravity, thoroughness, and care.

Forensic background

Two decades of 730 evaluation experience.

A 730 evaluation (named after California Evidence Code Section 730) is a court-ordered psychological assessment designed to help a family court judge determine custody and visitation arrangements that serve the best interests of the child. These evaluations are among the most consequential assessments a psychologist can conduct.

Over more than 20 years as a court-appointed 730 evaluator, Dr. Hickson Barez conducted hundreds of these evaluations, including in-depth parent interviews, parent-child observations, psychological testing, comprehensive document review, and collateral interviews with therapists, teachers, and other professionals. That depth of forensic experience now informs every aspect of her current reunification, mediation, and consultation work.

Dr. Hickson Barez has been qualified as an expert witness in family courts throughout Los Angeles County and continues to provide expert testimony and forensic consultation when the court or attorneys request it.

Mediation

Divorce mediation.

Not every custody dispute needs to go before a judge. When both parents are willing to negotiate in good faith, mediation offers a faster, less adversarial, and often more durable path to a custody and co-parenting agreement. As a Certified Divorce Mediator and a member of the Academy of Family Mediators, Dr. Hickson Barez facilitates these conversations with the same clinical rigor she brings to forensic evaluations, but within a collaborative framework.

Mediation sessions focus on developing a parenting plan that addresses custody schedules, decision-making responsibilities, holiday and vacation arrangements, communication protocols between households, and strategies for handling future disagreements. The emphasis is always on the child's well-being, and Dr. Hickson Barez draws on her extensive experience with child development and family dynamics to guide parents toward agreements that genuinely work for their children.

Mediation costs are typically split between both parties and are significantly less expensive than litigation. For many families, it is the most effective first step, and sometimes the only step needed.

Attorney services

Expert consultation for attorneys.

Family law attorneys working complex custody cases often need clinical input beyond what a standard evaluation provides. Dr. Hickson offers consultation services for attorneys who need guidance on psychological issues affecting their cases: attachment dynamics, parental alienation concerns, substance abuse implications, domestic violence considerations, and the psychological impact of proposed custody arrangements on children of different developmental stages.

These consultations can include case review, assistance with deposition preparation, guidance on cross-examination of opposing experts, and recommendations for presenting psychological evidence effectively in court. Dr. Hickson Barez's dual perspective as both a treating clinician and a forensic evaluator gives her a unique understanding of how clinical findings translate into legal arguments.

Referral process

For attorneys: how to refer.

Referring a case for reunification therapy, mediation, or forensic consultation is straightforward. Contact our office directly at (310) 375-8665 to discuss the referral. Dr. Hickson Barez is available for a brief preliminary call to review the case parameters, timeline, referral questions, and fee structure before any engagement begins.

For court-related work, we may need relevant court orders, custody orders, prior evaluations, and contact information for both parties and their counsel. For private mediations and consultations, a phone call is typically sufficient to get started.

We work with family law attorneys across Los Angeles County, including firms in Torrance, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Long Beach, and downtown Los Angeles. We are familiar with the procedures and expectations of local family courts.

Complete Family Services was able to keep my family communicating during one of the most difficult chapters of our lives. Dr. Hickson Barez provided clarity when everything felt overwhelming.

Client · Rancho Palos Verdes
Frequently asked

Questions about forensic services.

What forensic services does Dr. Hickson Barez currently offer?+
Dr. Hickson Barez currently offers reunification therapy, divorce mediation, and forensic consultation for family law attorneys. Her more than 20 years of experience as a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator deeply informs all of this work. She understands the legal context, the dynamics of high-conflict family situations, and the evidentiary expectations of Los Angeles County family courts.
What is the difference between mediation and litigation in custody disputes?+
Mediation is a collaborative process where both parents work with a neutral mediator to reach a custody agreement voluntarily. In litigation, the case goes before a judge, who makes the final decision (often informed by a court-ordered evaluation). Mediation tends to be faster, less expensive, and less adversarial, and it gives parents more control over the outcome. Dr. Hickson Barez offers mediation services and can help families determine which path is most appropriate for their situation.
How does an attorney refer a client for forensic services?+
Attorneys can refer clients by contacting our office directly at (310) 375-8665. Dr. Hickson Barez is available for a brief consultation call to discuss the referral question, scope of services, timeline, and fee structure before the case begins. We work with family law attorneys across Los Angeles County and are familiar with the expectations and procedures of local family courts.
Does Dr. Hickson Barez provide expert testimony in court?+
Yes. Dr. Hickson Barez provides expert testimony in family court proceedings and brings more than two decades of forensic experience to the witness stand. Her testimony is grounded in clinical data and presented in a manner that is clear, objective, and accessible to judges and attorneys. Expert testimony fees are discussed at the outset of every case.
How is confidentiality handled in forensic work?+
Forensic services operate under different confidentiality rules than therapy. When you participate in court-ordered or court-related forensic work, the information you share may become part of reports submitted to the court and shared with attorneys. Dr. Hickson Barez explains confidentiality limits clearly at the outset of every forensic engagement so that all parties understand the boundaries before the process begins.
What are Dr. Hickson Barez's credentials in forensic psychology?+
Dr. Hickson Barez holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has been a licensed psychologist (PSY17257) for over thirty years. She is a former court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator with more than 20 years of forensic evaluation experience, a Certified Divorce Mediator, and a member of the Academy of Family Mediators. She co-authored a chapter in The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology. Her dual expertise in clinical and forensic psychology allows her to address both the legal and emotional dimensions of family court matters.
What does reunification therapy involve in a forensic context?+
Reunification therapy is a specialized clinical process for repairing severely strained parent-child relationships, often in the context of high-conflict divorce or court orders. Dr. Hickson Barez's extensive forensic background, including her years conducting 730 evaluations, gives her a deep understanding of the court dynamics, loyalty conflicts, and safety considerations involved. She works with attorneys, judges, and families to structure a process that prioritizes the child's emotional safety while supporting meaningful reconnection.
How much do forensic services cost?+
Fees for forensic services vary depending on the scope and complexity of the case. Reunification therapy, mediation, and forensic consultation are each billed according to their own fee structures. Dr. Hickson Barez provides a detailed fee schedule and retainer agreement before any work begins, so there are no surprises. For specific fee information, please contact our office at (310) 375-8665.
Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Reviewed by

Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY17257) with 30+ years of experience. Founder of Complete Family Services, Inc. in Torrance, California. More than 20 years of experience as a court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator. Author of the forthcoming Life's Lessonschildren's book series. Co-author of a chapter in The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology.

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Need forensic expertise? Let's talk.

Whether you're an attorney, a parent navigating custody, or a family in need of mediation, we're here to help. Reach out to discuss your situation and determine the right next step.

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