Dr. Eric Bernstein





Licensed Psychologist



Clinical and Forensic Psychology


Phone: 412.338.1808

Dr. Eric Bernstein



For 16 years, Dr. Bernstein maintains a private practice. He routinely assesses for and evaluates children and family needs through conducting of evaluations, collaboration with attorneys and Child Protective Agency. He testified approximately 200 times and completed 700 custody evaluations.


Dr. Bernstein enjoys active membership with the pennsylvania psychological association and the association of family and conciliation courts. He is honored to have presented at the state psychological association, pennsylvania bar association, association of family and conciliation courts (afcc), and for family/juvenile judges about child custody matters with specific attention given to domestic violence, Professional Ethics, testimony, and substance abuse.


as a custody evaluator, he shows sensitivity to the multifaceted nature of cases and approaches all cases in a clear, organized, and systematic manner. He considers factors such as suspected child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, parental alienation, substance use, relocation factors, and parenting.


in order to help shape the future of psychological practice, Dr. Bernstein also supervises psychology students from Carlow university, duquesne university, and the university of pittsburgh. He remains current with the ethical responsibilities as prescribed by the state and encouraged by organizations.



Practice Information



Areas of Expertise



Dr. Bernstein is most widely recognized for his work as an evaluator in child custody, child dependency, and juvenile delinquency cases. Appointed as an expert in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Centre, Clearfield, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Mercer, McKean, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, as well as in West Virginia, he performed thousands of evaluations for the purpose of measuring children's best interests and needs and welfare.



Child Custody Evaluations and Parenting Evaluations



Part and parcel of evaluating for children's best interests, Dr. Bernstein is routinely tasked with considering issues of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse against children, domestic violence, addiction, and parenting practices.



Dependency Cases



For identififed at risk children, subject to abuse, neglect or mistreatment, Dr. Bernstein evaluates their mental health and psychological needs. He helps determine issues of placement, permanency and treatment.

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Fitness for Duty and Mental Health Evaluations



Employers rely upon Dr. Bernstein's thorough evaluations to provide guidance about employees' abilities to fulfill job expectations and responsibilities. Fitness for duty evaluations require investigation with specific consideration of risk for violence and safety.

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Professional Critiques and Consultations to Attorneys



While professionals work hard to be comprehensive, ethical, and responsible, there are always ways to improve. If there are questions or concerns about another psychologist or mental health professional's work and you are particularly dissatisfied, Dr. Bernstein routinely serves as a consultant to attorneys. In this role, he is tasked with aiding attorneys to best prepare for their client by offering a professional critique of the evaluator's written work.

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consultation



For parties approaching or in the midst of litigation, I offer private consultation to avoid costly expense associated with court process and for purposes of offering guidance and support. Knowing how to navigate through the court system can be daunting. With specific advice, collaboration, and information, parties may gain advanced appreciation for their circumstances and better anticipate potential obstacles as they proceed through the court system. In particular, I offer support about issues of parenting, high conflict custody disputes, and co-parenting. All sessions occur in private and are billed at a one hour minimum.



Dr. Bernstein is routinely asked to provide services such as:



1. Custody Evaluations

2. Fitness for Duty Evaluations

3. Disability Evaluations

4. Mental Health Evaluations

5. Professional Critiques

6. Consultations with Attorneys

7. Parenting Evaluations

8. Termination of Parental Rights

9. Bonding Assessments

10. Consultation/Supervision



As a licensed psychologist and teacher of psychology, I have been fortunate enough to be in a position to make a direct impact in the lives of others. I view each meeting as an opportunity to learn. Assessment is, and should be, a collaborative process whereby the doctor and client work together. Respecting clients is a must. I am eager to fulfill this role as there are so many children and families who need support in these times of stress.





Dr. Eric Bernstein



What to Expect During a Custody Evaluation



Please make sure to bring with you any and all documentation to help increase perspective and understanding of the case. Examples may include Court Orders, PFA, criminal dockets, school records, mental health information, and correspondence between parties. When providing documentation, please offer only copies for I need to retain the documents for the file. Additionally, please note that such documentation may be offered throughout any stage of the evaluation process. In addition to documentation, payment is due at the outset of the evaluation.


Each evaluation requires extensive investigation. How many meetings will be requested depends upon the case and circumstances. More likely than not, in custody cases, each party will be asked to attend a minimum of four meetings, each focused upon a particular theme or topic. In at least one of the meetings, I will interview the party and child(ren) in interaction and from which, develop opinions about the nature of the bond, parenting, and children’s level of functioning/needs.


Each party will be informed about the other party’s concerns and perspective and given an opportunity to offer additional input and/or rebuttal. Note that I consider all information provided whether in writing or directly obtained through interview.


Preparing for the interaction is an important step. While I am not able to directly guide parties about what and how to share information with the children, I am considering to what extent the children are informed about the process, Court’s involvement, and party’s level of conflict. Depending upon the age of the child, parties may be challenged to support, play with, and/or interact with the child while otherwise, observed. With cases in which there are older children, I instead facilitate family interaction via interview and invite the children for an interview as well. To such interactions, parties may bring with activities, games, care supplies, and sustenance as determined to be necessary and appropriate but with the understanding that food is not permitted within the office itself, only the waiting room.



Please contact the office to schedule an appointment


Phone: 412-338-1808
Fax: 412-338-1809

This is a HIPAA compliant practice. If you have any questions or concerns about HIPAA policy, please do not hesitate to telephone. If you would like HIPAA literature, please request a copy.



Pittsburgh Office





Landmarks Building
100 W. Station Square Drive, Suite 617
Pittsburgh, PA 15219


412-338-1808

Butler Office





NexTier Bank Building
100 E. Diamond Street, Suite 213
Butler, PA 16001



All mail should be directed to the pittsburgh office:

Dr. Eric Bernstein
100 W. station square drive
Suite 617
Pittsburgh, pa 15219



Directions



Pittsburgh:

The Station Square office can be found in the Landmark's Building where the Grand Concourse and Gandy Dancer restaurants are located. The office is on the sixth floor. Please sign-in with the security guard before entering the elevator. If the security officer is unavailable, please operate the call box located on the wall next to the security desk and Dr. Bernstein will provide entrance.


Parking can be found along Station Square Drive in a number of paid parking garages. More information on location and pricing can be found at: https://www.stationsquare.com/parking/. These garages accept credit cards as well as cash. This office is also accessible via public transportation.


Butler:

The NexTier Bank Building is located across from the Butler Courthouse, overlooking the park within which is a water feature. Parking is available in multiple metered spots around the building. Please be prepared with quarters as the meters do not take credit cards or bills.



Copyright 2019
Dr. Eric Bernstein
All rights reserved.



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