Lecturer
Area: Clinical


Alternate Address: 2010 Hogback Road, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI
Alternate Phone: 734-975-0455

Email: pludolph@umich.edu

I am interested in the achievement of developmentally appropriate and compassionate results for young children and their families in the legal system, with an emphasis on clinical, ethical, and public policy concerns. My central focus is in insuring that the best interests of young children not be lost in complex systems that surround them. I have worked with and consulted on the plights of children in the child protection, foster care, and child custody systems. I have consulted on the recent reforms to the foster care system in Michigan, and continue to spend a good deal of time writing and giving presentations and consultations at a state, national, and international level to judges, attorneys, and mental health professionals. I am very interested in the ethics of forensic and psychological work with young children, and advise the State of Michigan and other groups on these matters. I guest lecture to University of Michigan students and consult with them on their research interests in psychology and public policy.

My recent writing in these areas includes:

Ludolph. P.S. & Dale, M.D. (2012). Attachment in child custody: An additive factor, not a determinative one. Family Law Quarterly. 46(1), 1-40.

Ludolph, P.S. (2012). The special issue on attachment: Overreaching theory and data. Family Court Review, 50(3), 486-492.

Ludolph, P.S., & Bow, J. (2012). Complex alienation dynamics in very young children. Journal of Child Custody. 9(3), 153-178.

My anticipated 2013 presentations include:

Ludolph, P.S. (in preparation, March, 2013). Attachment theory in the family and dependency courts. Discussant: Michael E. Lamb. Paper to be presented at the 2012 American Psychology-Law Society Meeting (APA Division 41), Portland, Oregon.

Ludolph, P.S., with M.F. Brinig, M. Dale, and R.E. Emery. (in preparation, June, 2013). The best interests parenting plan choice: Approximate, individualize or template? Preconference Full Day Institute at the Fiftieth Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Los Angeles, California.