Dr. Sarah Jo Szerlong

Dr Szerlong is a nice person, but I would not use her if you have pending legal proceedings. She recommended a plan of action, then at some point altered it without telling both parents, but reprimanded (in writing) the custodial parent for adhering to the old plan. Meanwhile, she reprimanded both parents for not successfully co-parenting while having private conversations with only one parent about psychiatric evaluation and potential treatment the child may need, never once discussing this with the primary physical custodial parent (or the child’s current mental health provider). This behavior is not conducive to establishing an open dialogue and mutual understanding for the parents, and hindered a positive resolution to the legal matter.

Dr. Szerlong performed a custody evaluation for a child in the foster care system. She recommended custody for the biological father, a violent felon who had never established paternity. She failed to talk with the child's therapist or teacher and failed to address the child's complex trauma and therapy needs as requested by the judge. She failed to do any independent fact-checking of statements by the father and simply rubber-stamped what DCS wanted.