Fair, objective evaluations by a respected forensic psychologist

Pre-Adoption Psychological Evaluations in Lancaster & Central PA

getting started

Your Family’s Story Starts Here

Gransee & Associates offers pre-adoption psychological evaluations, providing structured, evidence-based assessments to support informed decisions. Credible, defensible evaluations trusted in legal settings, helping you move forward with confidence while growing your family through adoption.

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Why do I need a psychological evaluation before adoption?

A pre-adoption evaluation may be court-ordered or required by adoption agencies to gauge readiness to adopt and parent. The goal is to place a child in a safe, loving environment through a structured, fair assessment of each prospective parent.

Are evaluations required for all adoptions?

Psychological evaluations aren’t always required, but courts or adoption agencies often request them to obtain clear, impartial assessments that inform sound placement decisions.

Our values

What To Expect For Your Adoption Evaluation

Couple Interviews

Couple interviews focus on how you function together, including communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. You’ll discuss your relationship history, parenting expectations, and stress management to assess how you’d work as a parenting unit.

Individual Interviews

Individual interviews take a closer look at your personal, relational, and family history, including past stressors, decision-making patterns, and behavioral consistency. The process identifies strengths and any areas that may need support in a parenting role.

Detailed Psychological Evaluation

We conduct detailed psychological evaluations for pre-adoption matters that examine emotional stability, mental health history, interpersonal functioning, decision-making patterns, and the prospective parent’s ability to provide a consistent, supportive home environment.

Report Submission & Testimony

We prepare detailed written reports summarizing evaluation findings, clinical observations, test results, and professional opinions, and provide courtroom testimony when clarification or expert interpretation is required in legal proceedings.

How Our Reports Are Used In Adoption Cases

Our reports are commonly used by courts, attorneys, and adoption agencies to support placement decisions, clarify parental readiness, and document psychological findings relevant to the adoption process.

Our team

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Meet Dr. Jonathan M. Gransee, Psy. D.

Continually recognized by courts as an expert in complex psychological evaluations, Dr. Gransee brings many years of experience across family court, criminal, and adoption-related cases, delivering precise, highly defensible reports supported by comprehensive review and evidence-based analysis.

OUR APPROACH

Forensic Psychologists Who Go Beyond A Basic Evaluation

Our approach is thorough and grounded in a structured, predictable process. Every evaluation is clinical, not emotional. We’re focused on unbiased findings and clear analysis, not treatment or subjective interpretation.

In-House Research

The in-house research team at Gransee & Associates is composed of junior psychologists and master’s-level clinicians who conduct document reviews and collateral interviews. These evaluations go beyond the surface to ensure findings reflect a complete and well-rounded understanding of each case.

Trusted by Lawyers & Local Courts

The evaluations our team produces are relied on in high-stakes cases for their clarity, structure, and objectivity. Findings withstand potential court scrutiny and support well-informed legal decisions.

Decades of Experience

Forensic evaluation is the core function of our practice, backed by years of individual and collective experience across a wide range of cases.

prepping

  • Focus On the Well-Being Of the Child

    You want what’s best for the child you hope to adopt. During the evaluation, keep that focus and demonstrate your ability to provide a safe, stable, and supportive home. 

  • Review Your Family History

    Be prepared to review your family history, including relationships, upbringing, and key experiences that have shaped your values, stability, and approach to parenting.

  • Bring Any Required Documentation

    Bring required documentation, including records and background materials, so the process moves efficiently and your evaluation reflects a complete, accurate picture of your situation. 

  • Stay Calm & Prepared

    Be honest in your responses, and understand before the evaluation that some questions may be uncomfortable or evoke strong emotions; this is a normal part of the process.

Not Sure How To Prepare For Your Evaluation?

Preparing for an evaluation can feel overwhelming, but the most important thing is to be yourself. The process is structured to understand your history, not to catch mistakes.

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Where We’re Located

313 W Liberty St Suite 143, Lancaster, PA 17603, USA

Evaluations must be completed in person to ensure accuracy, consistency, and a thorough, clinically sound assessment process.

Serving clients across south-central pA and nationwide

  • Lancaster
  • York
  • Dauphin
  • Lebanon
  • Berks
  • Chester
  • Adams
  • Franklin

faqs

  • How long does the adoption psychological evaluation typically take?

    The length of an adoption psychological evaluation can vary depending on the circumstances and documentation involved. Most evaluations are completed over several weeks and may include interviews, psychological testing, record reviews, and report preparation. Timelines can also depend on scheduling availability and how quickly requested information is provided.

  • What if I have a history of mental health issues?

    A history of mental health concerns does not automatically determine the outcome of an evaluation. The focus is on your current functioning, stability, treatment history, and ability to safely and effectively manage daily responsibilities. Evaluations are conducted objectively and consider the full context of an individual’s circumstances, progress, and support systems.

  • Is the evaluation different for single parents?

    No. Adoption evaluations are not based on marital status alone. Single parents are evaluated using the same professional standards, with the focus placed on stability, support systems, parenting readiness, emotional functioning, and the ability to provide a safe, supportive environment for a child.

  • Do both prospective parents need to participate?

    In most cases, yes. When two prospective parents are involved in the adoption process, both individuals are typically expected to participate in interviews, testing, and related evaluation components. This helps provide a complete understanding of the family dynamic, parenting approach, and overall readiness to provide a stable, supportive home environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start One of Our Secure Intake Forms

When you’re ready, begin your pre-adoption psychological evaluation with an objective, straightforward process from Gransee & Associates. Receive a clear, fair assessment designed to support confident next steps in your adoption journey.