Custody & Adoption
Evaluation Essentials
The Custody & Adoption Evaluation Essentials courses are offered by Dr. Axelson, a Doctor of Social Work with 20 years of experience performing evaluations for families and courts all over Texas. Each course, one dedicated towards child custody evaluations and the other dedicated towards adoption evaluations, offers continuing education hours. Check out the details below to see how these courses can meet your needs!
Child Custody Evaluation Essentials
This course features 20 hours of instruction broken down into eight 2.5-hour classes. This training has 20 approved hours of continuing education hours for all Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors, including 4 hours of ethics. Currently enrolling is the Winter Session, with classes every Thursday beginning January 8, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. These courses are live via Zoom, and Dr. Axelson welcomes participation and questions! With handouts, examples, and practical explanations, this training is invaluable to your evaluation future.
January 8: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started
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The purpose of a CCE
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Required Training and Education
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Texas Statutes and Standards of Practice
January 15: Get Organized
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Paperwork
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Court Orders
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Boundaries and Ethics
January 22: Interviews & Observations
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Adult and Child Interviews
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Home Visits
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Family Observations
January 29: Data, Data, and More Data
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What Records to Get
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How To Get Them
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What Data Should I Review?
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Psychological Evaluations
February 5: Delving Into and Dissecting the Data
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Report Writing
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Documentation
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Research
February 12: Constructing your Conclusion
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Multiple Hypotheses
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Recommendations
February 19: Special Circumstances
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Non-Compliant Clients
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Interim Recommendations
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CCE Updates
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One-sided Evaluations
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Brief Focused Assessments
February 26: Subpoenas and Testimony
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Closing Your File
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Subpoenas for Records and Testimony
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Depositions
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Testimony
The discounted cost for the course, if paid in full, is $800. A pay-as-you-go option is $125 per class due 48 hours prior to the class you plan to attend. BONUS: You don't have to pay for the whole course if you only want to take a class or two! If you choose to bundle this course with the Adoption Evaluation Essentials course, the total for both courses is $900! Payment is accepted via check, Venmo, Cashapp, or Zelle.
Adoption Evaluation Essentials
This course features 5 hours of instruction broken down into two 2.5-hour classes. This training has 5 approved hours of continuing education hours for all Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors, including 2 hours of ethics. Currently enrolling is the Winter Session, with a class on March 5, 2026 and March 12, 2026 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. These courses are live via Zoom, and Dr. Axelson welcomes participation and questions! With handouts, examples, and practical explanations, this training is invaluable to your evaluation future.
March 5: How to Do Adoption Evaluations
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Required Training and Education
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Texas Statutes and Administrative Code
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Process & Paperwork
March 12: What to Do and How to Write It
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Interviews
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Data
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Report Writing
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Conclusions and Assessments
The discounted cost for the course, if paid in full, is $200. A pay-as-you-go option is $125 per class due 48 hours prior to the class you plan to attend. If you choose to bundle this course with the Child Custody Evaluation Essentials course, the total for both courses is $900! Payment is accepted via check, Venmo, Cashapp, or Zelle.