Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D.

Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has over 40 years experience in the field of psychology as both a clinician and teacher which includes over thirty years as a forensic expert, psychometrist and child custody evaluator. He regularly presents at state and national associations. He is a principal founder and Past-President of the Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem.

Services

Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D. offers a variety of forensic and clinical services, such as the following:

- Child Custody Evaluations / Guardian ad Litem
• Recommendations
• Parenting plans
• Parental fitness

- Parenting Coordination
• Oversee parenting plans
• Mediate/Arbitrate disputes
• Provide safe environment to discuss parenting issues

- Divorce Coaching
• Keep objective and clear-headed.
• Maintain a positive focus.
• Co-parent more effectively.
• Make informed decisions about family and social interactions.
• Develop effective parenting plans and custody arrangements.
• Work successfully with the Guardian ad Litem.
• Keep your eye on the big picture and your real goals.

- Expert Witness
• Mental impairment/diminished capacity/competency assessment.
• Criminal behavior affected by intellectual, mental and emotional disability.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and its effects on criminal behavior.
• Dangerousness, malingering, criminality assessment.
• Victim Assessments
• Review and analysis of potentially mitigating circumstances in connection with the crime.

- Psychological Testing & Assessment
• Reproducible results
• Risk & violence assessment
• Impulse control
• Executive functioning
• Diagnosis & Prognosis
• Recommendations

- Litigation Support
• Critical review of mental health assessments
• Detailed analysis and critique of psychological test findings.
• Assistance in question development for cross-examination of the mental health expert.

- Criminal Defense Assistance
• Competency to stand trial
• Murder
• Rape
• Assault
• Sexual assault, sexual abuse
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
• White collar crime

- Personal Injury
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Personal injury, emotional pain
• Work-related Injuries
• Alcoholism and other drug abuse problems
• Malpractice

Litigation Support Services

Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D. offers litigation support services for matters such as the following:

• Critical review of mental health assessments
• Detailed analysis and critique of psychological test findings
• Assistance in question development for cross-examination of the mental health expert

Areas of Expertise

Profile

Dr. Shapse is an expert in forensic psychology and psychological assessment. He has served as an expert witness in civil and criminal matters heard in Federal and State courts since 1986. He has been qualified as an expert in:

• Child Development
• Child Custody
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis & Treatment
• Dangerousness and Competency

He is able to convey complex psychological issues in a simple and understandable manner to judges, jurors, attorneys and clients. His excellent communication and teaching skills, both on and off the stand, have allowed clients to win cases and achieve favorable settlements. At present, Dr. Shapse is exclusively in private practice specializing in forensic evaluation and related matters, psychological assessment, and individual treatment.

Areas Served

All States

Steven N. Shapse, Ph.D. in the Social Networks

LinkedIn

Professional Experience

• 1982–1983: Tufts-New England Medical Center Post-Doctoral Seminar on Neuropsychological Testing
• 1976–1977: Professional Affiliate Program Newton-Wellesley Hospital Newton, MA
• 1975–1977: Boston Gestalt Institute Cambridge, MA. Theory, technique and practice of Gestalt therapy.
• 1973–1974: Practicum Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA. Individual and family therapy. Community outreach

Licenses

Commonwealth of Massachusetts (License Number: 2806)

Affiliations

• American Board of Medical Psychotherapists
• American Psychological Association
• American Psychology-Law Society
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• Child and Adolescent Task Force
• Divorce Center
• Guardian ad Litem Task Force
• Justice Resource Institute Trauma Center
• Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem
• Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
• Massachusetts Psychological Association
• Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
• Tufts School of Medicine

Publications

Serving as a guardian ad litem. In S. Walfish (Ed.), (2010) Earning a Living Outside of Managed Mental Health Care. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

White Papers:
Child Custody Evaluations and Psychological Testing—Valid and Invalid Expectations.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=18058

Cross-Examination of Psychological Testing.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5081

Forensic Psychological Assessment.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5100

Selecting Psychological Tests and the Experts Who Testify.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5082

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Explained).
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5101

The Role of the Mental Health Child Custody Evaluator.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5089

When a Test is Not a Test: Tests Without Forensic Validity.
www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=7704

Education

• Boston College, 1980: Ph.D.
• Boston College, 1974: M.Ed.
• Syracuse University, 1969: B.A.