Ep 155: When the Test Gets It Wrong: Why Psych Assessments Can Hurt Survivors in Family Court

If you’ve ever been told that a psychological test “proved” you were unstable or overeactive in your custody case—while your abusive ex seemed cool, calm, and collected—you are not alone.In this short but important episode, I’m unpacking why the MMPI and MMPI-2—often used in court-ordered evaluations—can misrepresent survivors of coercive control and domestic violence. These tests were not designed with trauma survivors in mind, and their results can be dangerously misinterpreted when evaluators aren’t trained in coercive dynamics.I’ll also explain how abusers, especially narcissists, often “pass” these tests easily by presenting as emotionally flat or in control—while the survivor appears anxious, reactive, or paranoid, all of which are normal trauma responses.This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating family court, custody evaluations, or preparing for a psychological assessment after surviving abuse.Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpcIf you want to support the show, you may do so here at Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/Wondering where to start? Check out our top free resources - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/resources.htmlIf you're interested in guesting on the show, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7Where to find more from Rising Beyond:Rising Beyond FacebookRising Beyond LinkedInRising Beyond Pinterest