So here is the question folks, we have parents that have posted comments here and several that left messages on the MOE hot-line. What are we going to do about Dr. Bruce E. Mapes?
He has not responded to any of these facts, he continues to do his verison of a “child custody evaluation” albeit incompleted and of questionable valuet to the courts. Families continuing to get hurt by his lack of objective practices.
I wrote the President Judge of Chester County Court of Common Pleas (Judge Ott) outlining my concerns about the continued use of the evaluator and my request for a judicial review of Dr. Bruce E. Mapes. In October 2008, I received a telephone call Judge Ott’s legal clerk. She indicated that my letter was being taken seriously.
Any parent that has experienced first hand a Mapes evaluation and been subject to the truth being twisted should DEMAND his removal and should DEMAND that their money be returned. We did not get way we paid for!
A MORNING protest of Dr. Mapes office (60 Boot Road, West Chester, PA) may help bring some free advertising to Dr. Mapes and this cause. If you want this guy to stop his unfair evaluation practice we need to organize.
We could assemble at WAWA and walk up to his office. Someone suggest a DATE AND TIME.
Dr. Bruce Mapes is employed by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to evaluate accused sex offenders for the states Megan’s law list. Residents of the surrounding area should be very concerned. Dr. Mapes office is within 20 -30 feet from the entrance of the Boot Road Park – a park where children frequent.
Residents along Boot Road should express concerned that sex offenders are being brought into their community in close proximity to a public park and two large town house communities?
WHY IS THIS MAN SUBJECT TO HARASSMENT? DOES THE ABILITY TO HAVE A TREATMENT OFFICE IN A BUSINESS LOCATION NOT ACCEPTABLE? THIS IS NOT A CAUSE TO RALLY FOR. THIS IS A NEEDED SERVICE DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT. LET HIM BE.
M.Stu,
You need to read all of the posts about the “professional”. You must have missed all of the discussion on the issue.
Here is a case where the SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA had a problem with his testimony.
Read this carefully and you will see that he recommended that a mother’s patrental rights be terminated and had not even intervied the parties. He simply reviewed the records.
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J., MUSMANNO, LALLY-GREEN, BENDER, BOWES,PANELLA, DONOHUE, SHOGAN AND ALLEN, JJ.
THE OPINION BY ALLEN, J, in part reads as follows:
‘In this regard however, the Majority’s extensive discussion of the testimony provided by Dr. Mapes, whose opinion was sought by the trial court and who gave his opinion based solely on his review of the agency’s case file, essentially as a hypothetical situation, is not founded upon actual interaction with the parties involved. Dr. Mapes never interviewed Mother, the child or the foster parents. This in my mind is quite troubling when so much of Dr. Mapes’ testimony is relied upon and in some ways is not consistent with testimony provided by agency personnel, who did interact with the parties.’
There is something VERY WRONG with a professional making such a serious recomendation (to terminate a parents rights) based soley on a simple chart review. I wonder if he even talked to the case worker since his opinion was ‘not consistent with testimony provided by agency personnel, who did interact with the parties.
Dr. Mapes has been feeding at the trough for far too long and we as residents of Chester County should be VERY concerned.
We all should be very concerned about the future use of this psychologist.
During the course of my interview, Dr. Mapes referred to the information he gathered as “evidence”. I wonder if he withholds certain information or twists it beyond recognition if this could be considered “tampering”?
Here is another thing I always wondered about concerning MAPES’ handling of “evidence”. If he is collecting “evidence”; and he leaved say standardized test score sheets in an unmonitored room for an indeterminate time and lets say the score sheet will produce a profile of “personality” or “sociopathy” or “sex offender” status or terminate a parents rights; should his test results be given any weight since the chain of “evidence” could not be followed?
In my case, he left me in dumpy copy room on the first floor of his office to complete the MMPI. He indicated that I should “just leave the test booklet and score sheet on the table. You are free to go when you’re finished”. About 10 mins. into the test MAPES came down to say he was stepping out to the Post office. When I finished, I was not comfortable just leaving a sensitive test form (with my name on it) in an open first floor room of a multi-occupant office building. I went up to his office only to find his office door locked. I knocked and called his name but no answer. No telling how long that score sheet sat there; if it was altered or even taken by someone.
Since Mapes does not administer the MMPI (or MMPI-2) in the standard fashion, one has to question the results. In his book Clinician’s Guide to Child Custody Evaluation, Marc J. Ackerman offers the following:
“As reported in the July 1993 issue of the American Psychological Association Monitor, the APA’s Ethics Committee was asked ‘to address whether it is a per se violation of the ‘Ethical Principals for Psychologists and Code of Conduct’ to send the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory home for administration” (p.14). The response of the Committee was that it would not be an automatic ethics violation and that each case would have to be considered individually.
In the past, the Committee has found it to be a violation to write a report based on information from a test that was sent home. The reason for the violation involved failure to protect the security of the test, failure to adequately supervise the test.
The Committee endorsed the following points in response to the question:
1. Nonmonitored administration of the MMPI does not represent sound testing practice and may result in an invalid assessment.2. Test security cannot be guaranteed when the MMPI is allowed outside of the clinical setting [such as an unmonitored first floor copy room].3. There is debate as to whether there is even any circumstance in which it might be reasonable or appropriate to allow the MMPI to be completed outside of the clinical setting. “
Another author puts it this way:
“Whereas psychologists may sometimes deviate from standardized administrations with therapy clients, it is NEVER acceptable for a forensic evaluation where the results of the evaluation are to be presented in the justice system and are to be used in making decisions about people’s lives. Ziskin (1981) warns against this practice:
The ‘take home’ MMPI should be avoided in the forensic situation. This practice can lead to questions as to whether the individual took the test in the standard way and whether all of the responses are purely his own, as highlighted by Graham’s amusing anecdote about the mental hospital patient who had his ward colleagues assist him by voting on the appropriate answers. (p. 7)”
If the APA and others scholars recognize that the non-monitored administration of the MMPI is an unsound testing practice, one has to wonder why Dr. Mapes continues to this practice – especially in court cases where families depend on the results.
Should we be concerned? Should we ask the DA it step up and investigate? Should we ask that MAPES be removed from the “approved list”?
Not convinced yet? I have tons more examples that speak to DR MAPES’ integrity.
Bruce E. Mapes, PhD , Child Custody Evaluation on FOLLOWING THE RULES:
“STANDARDS, RULES AND REQULATIONS ARE NOT WRITTEN IN STONE”
Thats what Dr. Bruce Mapes wrote to e when asked him to follow the APA Ethical Guidelines and APA standards for conducting a child custody evaluation.
This a DIRECT QUOTE FROM A LETTER MAPES SENT ME IN May:
‘Please understand that any ‘guidelines’ are suggestions for professional conduct but they are not standards, regulations, nor rules written in stone and they are subject to variations depending on the type of service and the context of service’
Well there are standards, rules and regulations that must be followed. These are not optional – and yes it says that in the PA Practie Act for Psychologists.
DO JUDGES or LAWYERS in CHESTER COUNTY know that MAPES or any other psychologist doing a child custody evaluation must meet some minimum requirements?
When I pointed out to DR. MAPES that the standards, quideline and rules were in the PA Practce Act for Pyschologists and that he must follow them he changed his tune.
Here is what he wrote in August:
“Let me assure you your, to the the maximum extent possible, I adhere to the Pennsylvania ‘Practice Act’ for Psychologists, the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association, the APA Guidelines for child custody evaluations, as well as relevant case law and (legal) procedual issues.”
Here is the troubling part – even though he acknowleges that he follows all of this, it does not come through in his practices, procedures or in his written report.
I would be happy to assist you in the investivation of DR. Mapes. Chester County Rants , you know how to reach me.
A Very Concerned Parent in Chester County
Yes, please feel free to add this information on your other site.
As residents of Chester County we should all be very concerned about the practices of Bruce E. Mapes, PhD. Dr. Mapes, according to his OWN COUNT, HAS DONE 700 to 800 of these evaluations.
If your like me, YOU SHOULD BE ASKING how MANY OF THESE 700 to 800 CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATIONS were based a TRUE reflection of the FACTS.
LETS JUST SAY THAT HE FUDGED 20 % of the 700-800 cases. This represents 140 to 160 children who were placed at risk or potentially experienced a negative custody change based on his inacurate reporting.
NOW lets consider that each of the children had 2 parents and 1 sibling. Add to that grandparents, stepparents, step siblings. THE NUMBERS GROW RATHER QUICKLY.
If anyone has had a similar experiences with BRUCE E. MAPES, PhD, they should be encouraged to post a comment and join the CAUSE to ELIMINATE BRUCE E. MAPES, PhD from the panel of expert WITNESSES in child custody cases.
Yes, please post this on your other site.
Very Concerned Parent in Chester County PA
Here is what Dr. Mapes wrote as the REASON for REFERRAL.
“[MY NAME] did not provide information concerning how he and [HER NAME] met, nor about the marriage, as he did not believe this to be relevant to the current evaluation”.
REALLY, Dr. Mapes? Here is what you asked during our interview : “Mr. Name you had indicated, that, you have given several issues in the relationship, that, such as… ”
In your report you directly quoted me re: the relationship. So here a question:
IF I DID NOT provide information about the marriage HOW IS IT THAT DR. MAPES QUOTE ME on the MARRIAGE in his REPORT? Did he just MAKE UP these quotes?
IF I provided information about the relationship to DR. MAPES (such that he could quote me) why did DR. MAPES say that I didn’t provide this information? DID he just ths MAKE UP too?
Accuracy counts when it comes to child custody. DiD Dr. Mapes make a MISTAKE or should his creditability as an EXPERT be question?
Dr. Mapes made an unlawful disclosure of my HIPAA protected health care information to opposing counsel. During the course of his testimony Dr. Mapes exhibited selective amnesia:
DR. MAPES: “I did not recall doing that” (related to an unlawful release ofprotected health information).
Discussion: Dr. Mapes made this unlawful release of personal health information and attempted to conceal this disclosure through selective recall. In May, Dr. Mapes unlawfully released the name of a confidential health care provider to opposing counsel in correspondence without my written authorization, and made outside of the scope of the Honorable Judge Hall’s court order. The facts related to this unauthorized release are well document by the United States Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Civil Rights.
Clearly, Dr. Mapes wrote the letter with the knowledge that he was releasing the names of a confidential treatment provider. He demonstrated a command of the content of that specific document in which the disclosure was made when opposing counsel questioned him and often referring to a copy of the document when he “did not recall doing that”.
Hyper technical violation or BLATANT violation of the oath he took to tell the TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH and nothing but the TRUTH? What do you think?
It is interesting, Bruce MAPES wrote a book in 1995 entitled Child eyewitness testimony in sexual abuse investigations. Despite his recognition of the necessity for neutrality, Mapes seems to identify more with victims than with the falsely accused. MANY OF THE REFERENCES AT THE END OF THE BOOK ARE NOT USED IN THE TEXT AND THE BOOK OFTEN APPEARS UNBALANCED.
In short, at least one reviewer back in 1995 questioned Mapes neutrality.
NOT CONCERNED YET? Hold on there is more…
Chester County Children and Youth Services has Bruce E. Mapes, PhD in their 2009 operational budget for $80,000 for consultation services. Are you at all CONFORTABLE with this expenditure of TAX PAYER money? Are we getting what WE as tax payers PAY FOR?
There is still more to consider:
Dr. Mapes has provided in-service training to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas (Judges) in the past. Specifically referencing CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION. I have a copy of his handouts. Are you CONFORTABLE with the Chester County Bench receiving in-service training FROM Dr. MAPES, who by the way makes what appears to be a very comfortable living on the referrals he receives from the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
I for one think that a complete investigation of Dr. MAPES MUST be conducted by authorities outside of Chester County. It is clear that the County has a very biased view of MAPES as they continue to feed him cases through the Family Court, and Children and Youth-systems. We should call for a Special Investigator to be appointed, or an independent panel of professionals and parents to review his work. It would not be hard to evaluate if he followed the rules by a simple record review of his work.
If your concerned, I urge you to call the County and voice your concern. Call or write your County Commissioners, the Director of Children and Youth, Administrator of Family Court, and/or the President Judge.
With your help we can put an end to Chester County using Dr. Bruce Mapes in child custory matters on in providing consultation services involving Chester County’s social service agencies.
I AM SURE THAT Chestercountyrants will be more than happy to post a link (or contact information) to all of the people/Agency’s mentioned above.
Master Lombardi aligned himself with a perpetrator’s viewpoint (in this case a father) to deny my child a Psychiatric evaluation despite the fact there were three Medical Doctors who requested in writing that she been seen. Sighting that Dr Mapes, a Psychologist, did not mention that it was needed in his custody evaluation.
This is when I had to step up and say “But the Psychiatric referral does not fall into the scope of Dr Mapes’ Evaluation.” He still denied my plea.
So Master Richard Lombardi, took the word of the perpetrator’s atty who stated that the reunification therapist, Randy Hess felt it necessary to force the victim/my child to see the perpetrator/father two times a week outside of the therapy session with supervision. So there it was ordered, without proof.
Lombardi also refused to meet with my daughter, even though Rose Anderson said that she would definitely meet with her to hear my daughter’s opinion. When asked why Lombardi did not want to speak with my child, he replied, “It’s not like she’s 16.”
The reunification therapist, Mr Randy Hess, decided that it would be in my child’s best interest to reunify them despite her intense fear of her father and his abusive history and the inability to control his anger and aggression.
Last week he assaulted her again during a supervised visit.
He had already been under house arrest and probation for violating the PFA.
And even though my daughter wanted desperately to speak with the Master, why was he allowed to dismiss her so easily?
I know that there are 100’s of people in Chester County that have be court ordered to see Dr. BRUCE E. MAPES. Were you shocked when you read his report only to find that he twisted beyond recognition what was discussed in the interview, left inportant facts our or taken statements out of context.
Make Complaints about MApes at:
Bureau of Proffessional & Occupational Affairs
P O Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
PHONE- 1-800-822-2113 isten for prompts
on web:www.dos.state.pa.us
Dr. Mapes was horrible in evaluating our family… he lacks sound judgement.
Thats because he’s a hack without morals or ethics.
And this is the main reason I read chesterdcountyrants.com. Marvelous post.
Found Dr. Mapes to be excellent in reading the issues in my family and finding the solution. I have to say this was the best move the courts made in my case.
Rated excellent.
Good for you M. Stu. Glad things worked out so very well for you and your family. Unfortunately there are many more comments as posted here that do not speak so highly of Dr. Mapes his approach to child custody evaluations and most importantly his ability to remain unbiased and focused within the stated order of the Court.
It is indeed unfortunately that our Court system continues to use Dr. Mapes when ther are many other relaible child custody evaluators on the Court’s list. One of the reason he remains on the list is that he is the low cost provider and the one that puts out the lowest quality reports (errors, misspellings and poor use of grammer).
Again I am glad you had a good result and best wishes for continued success.
dr.mapes is paid to ruin the lives of the opposing party
He feeds off the children of chester county, lacks sound judgement and makes statements that don’t add up. He cashed my check while I was taking the MMPI evaluation in his building.
I see the parents who lost some form of custody on this site. I dont think Dr. Mapes has anything to worry about. this group is not organized and its just people leaving comments. I feel that Nobody in this position would be looked upon favorably. Sorry to see Dr. Mapes being ripped on by the other side of the custody battle.
M. Stu,
The point that people are making here is that Dr. Mapes is not being truthful in his reports or his paid testamony. He is as unethical as the day is long.
I have a box of letters, reports and transcripts that prove without a doubt that Mapes is nothing more than a common criminal. I have offered these documents to Chester County Rants if they will help in the cause of removing Dr. Mapes from the practice of child custody evaluations. This offer is still out there.
Lets be honest M. Stu, Mapes is a big boys who puts himself in the middle of a custody disput because he wants to be there – it pays well. He needs to stop the hit an run evaluations and be the expert to the court not to either side. He was appointed by the court to address a matter of law and has an obligation to report back to the court not the lawyers.
The system is broken and so is Mapes.
TO ALL,
DR.MAPES IS ALSO INVOLVED IN DEEMING PEOPLE INCAPACITATED AFTER ONLY A SHORT INTERVIEW AND I AM SURE WITH THE HIRING LAWYERS PAYING HIM DEARLY, HE POPS OUT THIS DEPOSITION BY INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIED IN EVALUATION OF INCAPACITATED PERSONS. HE SIGNS OFF ON THE DOCUMENT THAT THE ANSWERS HE GAVE ARE TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THAT FALSE STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES OF 18 PA.C.S. SECTION 4904,RELATING TO UNSWORN FALSIFICATION TO AUTHORITIES.
IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT WE CAN ALL DO ABOUT THIS LYING NO GOOD FOR NOTHING LETS TALK AND TAKE ACTION TO STOP HIM FROM DESTROYING FAMILIES.IBELIEVE THIS MAN WILL SAY, WRITE AND TESTIFY IN COURT FOR MONEY,ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.
He is nothing short of a WHORE that will sell his soul for a buck.
Its real interesting that our chester county legal community and the court system knows Mapes is a hack and simply sucks up – cause no telling when they might need to buy a bogus Mapes report.
Its a cozy relationship between pimp and whore.
And yes we should organize and protest this SOB at his home, office and at the Court House. His home address is very local to Downingtown – Skelp Level Road, a lovely neighborhood. Perhaps his neighbors should know he a sleez ball.
Do you think he ever reads this websight, maybe he should.
Would he even care…he made his money…and he continues to be used by the Court of Common Theives of Chester County.
Any parent that has been abused during the process of the Mapes evaluation needs to step forward and file a complaint with the PA office of Occupational and Professional Liciencing. Hit this no good where it hurts…in his wallet.
This guy has NO ETHICS. He married one of his patients.
It is believe that Bruce E. Mapes, Ph.D, engaged in a pattern of misconduct while acting as an officially appointed representative of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. These occurrences of misconduct extend over a period of months; were deliberate and purposeful; and intended to deceiving and misleading the Court.
It is believed that Dr. Mapes, while acting in an official capacity, committed multiple acts of misconduct in the matter of Smith vs. Smith (in custody). Dr. Mapes’ misconduct involves:
• Acts of making false sworn statements in the above matter;
• Acts of written false statements in the above matter;
• Violations of state and federal statutes governing privacy and the release of protected health information;
• Acts of intimidation and retaliation;
• Failures to comply with the Commonwealth’s Professional Psychologist Practice Act; and
• Failures to follow APA standards and guidelines (as mandates in Commonwealth’s Professional Psychologist Practice Act);
Dr. Mapes was fully aware that his unsworn written and sworn statements were untrue at the time they were made. Further these falsifications were made with the intention of directly deceiving a judicial official; impede the judicial process and discrediting and impugning my integrity. Dr. Mapes committed these acts in a deliberate manner and when confronted with authoritative documentation of his improper conduct as well as his affirmative responsibilities, engaged in retaliation by way of questioning my competency.
The evaluation completed by Dr. Mapes and the report of the evaluation reflects a highly biased observer; reflects major failures in objectivity; failures of professional conduct, breaches in professional practice, failures of honesty and truthfulness and a total disregard for my civil rights. The Court MUST conduct a thorough investigation of Bruce Mapes and take any and all actions to remove Dr. Mapes as a Court appointed expert.
The following is offered in support of these allegations of criminal misconduct:
Unsworn falsification to authorities.
Dr. Mapes made numerous false written statements contained within the written report that he filed with the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, Administrator of Family Court.
a) Dr. Mapes opens his report indicating that “Name did not provide information concerning how he met (his wife), nor about the marriage, as he did not believe this to be relevant to the evaluation”.
Written documents submitted to Dr. Mapes coupled with the content of Dr. Mapes very own report of evaluation submitted to the Court do not support this to a true statement.
b) In his official evaluation report as submitted to the Court Dr. Mapes, , wrote the following false written statement: “When Name first submitted his history form he indicated that he would like to have custody of Name. However, when he was seen by the psychologist [referring to himself] in March, he indicated that he would like to have more time with Name but because she is extremely dependent upon her mother and he is not going to push for custody of Name”.
The written documents submitted to Dr. Mapes and the content of my oral responses to Dr. Mapes do not support this to be a true and accurate statement. It is further noted that during the course of the clinical interview with Dr. Mapes this issues was not raised and therefore could not have possibly been discussed.
c) Dr. Mapes states in his written report to the court that the reason for this evaluation was “to assist the court in determining the best interest of older Name.”
A Temporary Custody Ordered signed by The Honorable John Hall does not support this to be true statement. As a result it is believed that Dr. Mapes failed to fulfill terms of Judge John Hall’s court appointment and it is further believed that Dr. Mapes made this statement with the specific intention of misleading and deceiving the Court.
d) Dr. Mapes withheld key information regarding the biopsychosocial functioning of former wife and her current living circumstances.
This information was clearly discussed during the clinical interview with Dr. Mapes. It is averred that this information was purposely withheld by Dr. Mapes to cover his false statements as noted in sections a, b and c above.
Perjury or False Swearing
Dr. Mapes made numerous false statements while under direct and cross examination while providing testimony in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
a) Dr. Mapes represented to the Court that the only way he could proceed with the court ordered involuntary evaluation was if I voluntarily signed an informed consent form agreeing to the evaluation. He further led the Court to believe that this method of informed consent was a requirement of the American Psychological Association.
APA guidelines and standards do not support this to be a true statement.
It is believed that Dr. Mapes purposely withheld information from the Court concerning his affirmative ethical responsibilities related to informed consent.
It is believed that I would not have been held in contempt of court on September 17 had Dr. Mapes accurately informed the Court that APA standards exempt him from obtaining informed consent “when psychological services are court ordered or otherwise mandated” (APA Standard 3.10 (e) re: Informed Consent).
Violations of state and federal statutes re the release of protected health information
Dr. Mapes released HIPAA protected health information to opposing counsel on May 19 and again on May 14 which were not authorized by consent or Court order to make this disclosure.
a) There is no doubt that Dr. Mapes made unlawful disclosures. What is so troubling about this release is that an appointed representative of the Chester County Court of Common Pleases failed to follow the applicable state and federal law; denied that he made these releases (while under oath) and later represented to the Office of Civil Rights that the release was permitted by and through his Court appointment.
Dr. Mapes expressed in writing to me and later to the Court that he is “not representing himself as a non-health care professional nor a non-covered entity”. In short, Dr. Mapes, by his own words and testimony, stated that he is a HIPPA covered entity.
HIPAA and the privacy rules are not new. These regulations have been widely disseminated through professional organization, licensing boards, professional journals County Office of Mental Health, State, Department of Health, etc. It will be difficult for Dr. Mapes to make a case that he was uninformed or unaware of his duties to protect my health information.
a) Dr. Mapes’ professional licensing act specifically states in plain and unambiguous language that he is obligated to seek written authorization prior to revealing confidential information. Correspondence from Dr. Mapes, prior to this release confirms that he practices within the limits of his professional practice act, and adheres to the APA ethical standards, and was aware of his obligations to seek written consent, yet Dr. Mapes made these unlawful disclosure.
As Licensed Professional Psychologist in the Commonwealth, Dr. Mapes’ is required by his professional practice act (Principle 3(e) of the Board’s Code of Ethics) to act in accord with American Psychological Association (APA) standards and guidelines. The APA standards and guidelines are very clear that written authorization must be obtained prior to revealing confidential information.
Correspondence from Dr. Mapes, prior to this release confirms that he practices within the APA standards and guidelines, and he was aware of his obligations to seek written consent, yet Dr. Mapes made an unlawful disclosure.
The “disclosures for judicial and administrative proceedings” provision in 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e)(1)(i) permits a health care provider to disclose protected health information contained in a report of an evaluation ordered by the court provided that only the health information expressly authorized by the court’s order is disclosed. In this specific instance the Court did not authorize Dr. Mapes to release my protected health information. It is believed that he was fully aware of this.
It is understood that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a more stringent set statutes and protections than the HIPAA regulations provide.
Intimidation and acts of retaliation.
Dr. Mapes engaged in a course of conduct that was retaliatory in nature and used (abused) his official court appointment from the Chester County Court of Common Pleas to do so.
a) As a result of my questioning Dr. Mapes policies and procedures around informed consent; confidentiality and protections of health information and pointing out that he had not been truthful in court, Dr. Mapes immediately question my competency to sign an informed consent form. Dr. Mapes recommended that a competency evaluation be performed.
Dr. Mapes had no justification or cause to question my competency and such actions were purely retaliation and harassment.
b) It is believed Dr. Mapes questioned my competency as an intimidation tactic so that I would force me to release portions of my HIPAA protected medical records, thus avoiding an independent competency evaluation and additional costs.
Failures to comply with the Commonwealth’s
Professional Psychologist Practice Act
Dr. Mapes has committed numerous violations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Professional Psychologist Practice Act including, but not limited to, failure to follow ethical standards and practice guidelines, including those established by the American Psychological Association, viz., the Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluation in Divorce Proceedings (APA)
a) The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs provides administrative and legal support to 27 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions.
Professional licensing protects the health, safety and welfare of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners.
b) As a result of changes to Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes at § 5315 (referred to as Act 175) it is now impossible for citizens involved in a court ordered custody matter to “file a complaint against a licensed health care practitioner with the practitioner’s state licensing board during the pendency of the matter and for 60 days thereafter”.
It is believed that Dr. Mapes purposely delayed the scheduling and completion of this evaluation until such time as Act 175 was in full effect, thus limiting my ability to seek a review of his misconduct with the Commonwealth’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.
Failures to follow APA standards and guidelines
It is believe that Dr. Mapes has committed numerous acts of ethical misconduct prior to and during the course of this involuntary court ordered evaluation. Specifically his misconduct involves 8 areas of ethical misconduct of the American Psychological Association.
a) Ethical standards that Dr. Mapes violated are as follows:
3.01 Engaging in unfair discrimination
3.03 Engaging in harassment
3.05 Having Multiple Relationships
3.06 Engaging in a relationship that present a conflict of interest
3.10 Informed Consent
3.10. (b) (4) concerning parental consent for under aged client
3.10 (c) Failing to follow prescribed procedures
4.01 Maintaining Confidentiality
4.05 Disclosure
These acts of misconduct are very well documented and for the most part involve official records that are on file in the Chester County Court House.
It is clear that Dr. Mapes has engaged in a course of misconduct while acting under an official court “appointment” in Smith vs. Smith. While a single one of these act may be excused as an inadvertent act, however the frequency and magnitude of Dr. Mapes’ misconduct indicates that he engaged in a purposeful course of conduct intended to mislead the court.
For this reason, an investigation of Bruce Mapes is absolutely necessary to preserve the integrity of the independent evaluation process, the rights of children and families and to maintain the reputation of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas – Family Court Division.
Bunch of snakes and thieves.
Pimps and Whore
It seems to just be ,that there are a bunch of professional testifiers, that are making huge sums of money,and are reguarded as experts. Sad thing for us the courts and lawyers hire these money hungry ambulance chasers reguardless of the emence harm their ” professional ” testimony causes. I don’t know what to do.
Put Complaint in about MApes TO THE STATE:::
Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affiars
P BX 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone 1-800-822-2113
listen for prompts
ON THE WB: http://www.dos.state.pa.us
Agreed. But here is what needs to be done. Assholes like Bruce Mapes must be compelled to follow his professional ethics. If he will not modify his consent to state that he will follow all of the applicable APA standares of practice or the APA child custody guidelines AND not engage in ex partate communication then a motion should be filed with the court to make him comply. These are real concerns and the point is that if he will not agree to do this on a voluntary basis he SHOULD NOT be doing your custody evaluation.
This guy is nothing more than an lier an cheat. The clerks at the neare by store have more ethisc than the fat assed lier and treat people with more dignity that Bruce Mapes. He stands on his front porch, suspenders and all and smokes as he reviewes the poisened reports getting ready to submit yet another report replete with bull shit dripping from the pages. I wonder if the ssperders hold his pants up so he would get all the bull shit all over them. In any event the suspenders are a nice touch that makes him look more like an idiot than a professional (or perhaps hes just being a pig and eating too much at the payola trough?).
I have it all neatly arranged in a grid of his questions and my reply along with how it came out in the report. Yes Bruce you are a no good whore who would sell your own children for money. You are lower than low and deserve to be sitting in jail just like the other common crooks.
Step down Bruce and go out with dignity before you’re busted back to criminal status.
who wants to see a cartoon video of the actual questions asked by Dr. Bruce Mapes and answers provided during a child custody evaluation. It will show in great detail what an asshole Dr. Mapes is and why the Court should remove him from the approved list.
This man is lacks all ethics and really should be drummed out of the profession.
The courts have again assigned Dr. Mapes to my custody evaluation. I am exhausted of fighting in court. I have a great deal of respect for the Judges of Chester County.At this point I have to say, I am going to allow this evaluation to take place and trust the Judge does care very much for our children.I am also going to have faith that even though this man is being judged so harshly..there are always two sides to a story. So much anger and hatred going around? You really have to pick your fights in custody and learn you cannot control everything…some things you just need to allow God to handle the outcome
Confused,
Good luck in your custody matter. Your trust and faith in the system is admirable, but you have to understand that the system (Judges) don’t and will not make a decision that is contrary to what’s in Dr. Mapes report. Even if the recommendations are off the wall, comming from left field, or just plain stupid, the Judges will generally take the recommendations of the expert (Dr. Mapes). Why, he’s their “expert”.
Not a single lawyer in Chester County will come forward and have the balls enough to tear Mapes apart on the stand, knowing that he nothing but a hired whore. Why? Because they may need to buy his services in the future in a different case. Its all a very chummy arrangement…you sctatch my back now and I’ll scratch yours later.
If our Justice system is not willing to stop this BS process and the major players in the system (the lawyers) don’t want to stop this BS Process, then the only whay is to go after Mapes for what can only be termed unethical conduct.
Mapes sold his soul long ago and continues to engage in unthical practice every waking day he remains in practice. Lets hope and pray that Mapes has a Come to Jesus experience sooner rather than later so that he will stop preying on our children.
Organized protest dates?
AGREED WE SHOULD PROTEST THE ROTTEN NO GOOD.
Just spoke with another casualty of the rotten doctor. Compared notes with this person and if would appear that Mapes asks very same questions (adjusted to situation) during every interview. I have these questions written down in the order in which they were asked. If you want to prepare ahead of the interview by knowing the questions this asshole will ask feel free to leave a message and I will get them to you.
If the doctor leads you down to the first floor copy room/kitchen to take the mmpi-2 refuse to take it unless he can assure test security. This room is generally open and can be accessed by anyone who comes in the building. Let me be clear – your name is on the answer sheet and since the room is open to anyone who opens the front door of this building your privacy is being violated. Think HIPAA violation, think APA violation. What will your neighbors think when the content of his trash dumpster with his hand written notes and the draft copy of your evaluation report are blown all over the parking lot of the local Wawa store. This guy does not give a shit so much so that he never follows the correct procedures for protecting your privacy and that of your children. Beware and take the steps to protect your privacy.
Have a case with Dr. Mapes – devistating report – would love to speak with anyone with info that might help my client defend this.
Sorry to hear that your client got a bad report. Happy to talk to you about how to help your client. Call the MOE hotline listed elsewhere in this post.
Call the MOE hotline the number is listed on the site associated with Mapes. Look forward
Call the moe hotline
I would like to help, but all I can yalk about is my experience and how he made statments under oath that were not contained in his report.
Bruce Mapes is the most unethical psychologist that you will ever encounter. If you have the ass hole appointed to you be sure to ask him if has ever released confidential information without a court order or signed release. If he says no he is a flat out LIER.
I have the paper work from the United States Office of Cicil Rights that clearly show this ass hole released protected health information to an attorney without my permission.
Bruce you should be ashamed of yourself and should flat out retire.
Bruce Mapes is the most unethical psychologist that you will ever encounter. If you have the ass hole appointed to you be sure to ask him if has ever released confidential information without a court order or signed release. If he says no he is a flat out LIER.
I have the paper work from the United States Office of Civil Rights that clearly show this ass hole released protected health information to an attorney without my permission and without a court order. Bruce, yes you broke the law and violated all of the foundations of your profession
Bruce you should be ashamed of yourself and should flat out retire before someone catches you in you lies and you spend your retirement years in jail.
My next post will have all of the questions you asked in your own voice and my reply along with the report you filed. The public will once and for all know what sort of professional you are. I have it all on tape.p
be careful if you taped him without his consent,its not legal
though since no one knows you it woul be good for unsuspecting mapes victims to know the truth
I am dealing with the ramifications of Dr Mapes and Randy Hess LCSW, can you please assist me with any help. Dr. Mapes did my custody eval, and stated that my son had reported being abused by his father in 2008, now in 2010 he write that my children embellished there statements, CPS is investigating and Mr Hess was brought in to do reunification, he is pushing the children to see there dad where they have been abused, even with an investigation going on. Then last night during a session he brings me in and says that my son told of the abuse which I did not know he knew about, and says that my son said his father punched, slapped, strangled and shook me. I told him that it happened except that his father did not punch me and Hess says that he embellished because he said his father hit me with his fist. I am at a loss. To top it all off he had the Abuser in the room and I was once again embarassed and humiliated and broadsided. Of course he didnt admit it, and sat there knowing it was completely the truth. Someone PLEASE HELP ME. Hess said he served for 6 yrs on the abuse board and that the children dont appear to him to be abused. OMFG
Sure, I’ll be happy to help. I’m not a attorney, but know the tricks that Dr. Mapes pulls and his very, very sloppy and incomplete evaluation procedures.
Frankly, very little that Dr. Mapes writes is of much value to “assist the court” in determining “a point of law” – custody.
Here is how to contact me…mapesisahack at gmail.
Contact me at mapesisahack@gmail.com
I am very worried!!!! I have been appointed to have this DR evaluate my situation!! The paper work has already been sent in by x and I haven’t sent mine in yet…so i guess im gonna lose!!! The dr has probabally made a judgement on me!!! GREAT!!!
Complain to the BUREAU of PRoffesional & Occcupational
AFFAIRS
PO BOX 2649
Harrisburg, PA
17105-2649
PHONE 1-800-822-2113
ON THE WEB: http://www.dos.state.pa.us
left scroll to file a complaint
Two years later being tied up in court we lost based on this JERKS LIES and misrepretation of facts that the judge never checked to see in the actual documents if what he said even existed
I am sorry to hear that you have been the victim of a Mapes evaluation and his misinterpretation of fact. If you feel that Mapes directly lied while under oath you need to call the district attorney and file a complaint. Be prepared for this to be dismissed unless you have very specific information (facts) that can be easily proven. You will need to have a transcript of the hearing and point to the specific issues that he lied about. The problem is that the DA will not get involved unless the fact is so clear and that you can demonstrate why Mapes would lie (the intent is hard to prove). Mapes can and does lie on the stand because he can get away with it. If you had an attorney, I wonder why they didn’t take a more active role in bringing out the facts.
The best way to beat the asshole at his own game is to file a specific complaint with his licensing board. This information is listed above. Don’t look for them to reverse the custody outcome, but they can assess if Mapes violated his professional responsibility. It’s a long road ahead, but it costs you nothing to take these steps. I encourage you tom file this complaint. I will be willing to assist you in doing the write up, but be aware I am not an attorney. I am an interested party that wants to see this asshole Mapes fry in hell for his unprofessional and unethical approach. If your interested. Write another post and we can arrange a meet at the library. moe
I too have just gone through an experience with Dr. Mapes and have found many of the complaints made here to be true.
I was fortunate enough that it was decided that my wife and I receive primary physical custody of my son, however I’m not happy that his mother gets the little time that she does with him.
During the evaluation process she was with a new guy that she had already had a child with. Shortly after beginning the process she informed Dr Mapes that she had split up with him because she found out that he was a drug addict and he had become abusive. Dr Mapes for some reason didn’t put any of that in his final report, so now that my sons mother has moved back in with this guy, my son is over there every other weekend and I’m left biting my nails wondering how safe he is.
I’ve contacted Child Youth Services and the Police, as well as discussed this with my lawyer. I feel like my hands are tied. Everyone keeps telling me that there isn’t anything I can do right now.
Another screw job by the good Dr. He effectively made the custody determination all by himself by withholding important and key information about the parties that should have been in the report in order to inform the court. Any custody case where Mapes was involved should be reviewed through a judicial review or a new trial (at Mapes expense) should be granted when the validity Mapes report is questioned and can be proven. Bruce Mapes is a first class ass and cannot be trusted.
100% agreed. He did the same thing to me and my kids. I am so sorry to hear that this has happened to you too. Chester County needs to find a better person for the job!
Bruce Mapes didnt do the right thing. We went in there and spoke our hearts out and he didnt listen. He changed and twisted everything me and my children said. He dismissed everything we said because my youner son smiled at there father. he does not care what is truely in the best intrest for the kids. he looks more at body language than what you said. he is a terrible man and ruined me and my kids lives and this will affect us for a very long time.
If you have been on this post, you should have read all of the comments related to Mapes. He is a snake who is only interested in his own interests – taking more money from families and putting forth trashy reports so he can testify and make more money. The entire justice system is broken. He is appointed to assist the court and should NEVER be able to offer anything but testimony related to his report. It seems so unethical to be engaged for one purpose and then use what was gained during that focused purpose to be engaged by one party for expert testomy for one side. Seems like a clear violation of the APA guidelines. It becomes an evaluation for one purpose being used for another purpose. That’s against the rules of the APA as well as entering into a dual relationship. Again against the rules of APA. Make a complaint against him with APA if is is what happened. Good Luck.
Dr Mapes is not qualified as a medical doctor but was allowed to read over medical records and testify to them in court. The medical records had nothing to do with his exam of his victim. I have an attorney but I’m starting to think they are all a part of this chester county system of doing what ever they want in our courts. His motive for doing all this is money.
welcome to Chester county Family Law….it is all a sick joke…justice and fairness is the fartherest thing from what is really happening…my suggestion is try to learn how to play the game for your advantage and stop hoping that you will find a sensible person within the system…there is no such person
Your observations and experiences with Mapes are very consistent with many others. He is simply a hired gun who will say what ever he needs to to keep the cash flow going. In my situation he twisted and turned what was said, took statements out of context and used highly inflammatory language in his write up. During my evaluation with Mapes he mislead the Court about his unauthorized discussions with the “other side” and then had the balls to release information to them without my consent and then could not recall doing that. He violated my civil rights and that of my children. In my view he is highly unethical and should have his professional license removed.
Your attorney let you down if he allowed Mapes to put this information on the record. He should have objected if in fact the medical records had nothing to do with the custody matter or the report he wrote. Now here is a funny thing. The court order allows Maped to do an evaluation and write a report. That’s all! If he releases the content of the medical records in ANY OTHER FORM other than through his report he just violated your privacy rights. It’s just that simple. The Court order only allow Mapes to file a report of evaluation. Thats clearly stated in the papers that appointed him. He knows this and your attorney know this as well. I would file An ethics complaint. Additionally i would file a complaint through the US Office of Civil Rights. If you are successful at the Office of Civil Rights this would be the second time he would be formally cited for violating Civil Rights of the people he evaluated. Go for it. You have nothing to lose. Contact me and I can walk you through the steps. Emo0 at me dot com. Look forward to helping you on this.
Everyone that posted here should join forces and do a group change dot org petition. I’m emo0 at me dot com.
Anonymous is that your email address? Through out this rant no one has mentioned the Judges involved in these BAD decisions being made or even allowed in the court. Like I said Dr. Mapes did not do a medical evaluation taking in consideration the person being
interviewed had substantial hearing loss.What is it that we can do as a group. I want to start reporting this and a few others to what ever review board/agency thaat reviews these people but I don’t know where to start.
Does anyone have a picture of this guy ? he sure sounds exactly like another horrible evaluator on the west coast also named Bruce….its kind of creepy the similarities are mind boggling…Bruce Harshman is the mans name I am starting to think they are the same man!
Sue the bastard