Dr. Goldstein received his Ph.D. from the U. of Florida, working as a school psychologist while completing his degree. He subsequently worked at Cook County Juvenile Court before becoming a full-time university professor. During this time, he began his private practice and consulting to school systems.
Dr. Goldstein specializes in forensic psychology (custody evaluations, child abuse evaluations, fitness for duty evaluations and other forensic evaluations), as well as psychotherapy for children, adolescents, families and adults. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety and stress disorders.
Dr. Goldstein has authored several books, including Handbook of Child Custody, Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology and Chronic Disorders in Children and Adolescents, as well as numerous professional articles and presentations at international and national conferences.
Publications and Presentations
Goldstein, M.L. Evaluation of real versus false allegations of child abuse in forensic cases. Paper to be presented at the International Congress on Law and Mental Health, Prague, July 2017.
Goldstein, M.L. & Jacquin, K. Forensic evaluation of child abuse. Paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, San Diego, CA, March 2016.
Goldstein, M.L. Estrangement and parental alienation. Workshop presented for the Cook County child representatives and guardian ad litems, Chicago, IL, November 2015.
Goldstein, M.L. and Posthuma, A. The use of the Paulus Deception Scales and the MMPI-2 with custody litigants. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 3(3), 19-34.
Goldstein, M.L. (Ed.). Handbook of Child Custody. New York: Springer, July 2015.
Goldstein, M.L. Ethical issues in child custody evaluations. In M.L. Goldstein (Ed.) Handbook of Child Custody. New York: Springer, July 2015.
Goldstein, M.L. Best interest factors in child custody evaluations. In M.L. Goldstein (Ed.) Handbook of Child Custody. New York: Springer, July 2015.
Goldstein, M.L. Interviewing children and adolescents in child custody cases. In M.L. Goldstein (Ed.) Handbook of Child Custody. New York: Springer, July 2015.
Goldstein, M.L. Projective personality assessment in child custody evaluations. In M.L. Goldstein (Ed.) Handbook of Child Custody. New York: Springer, July 2015.
The Use of the Rorschach & other Projective Techniques in Forensic Assessment. Paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychology meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2015.
Relocation: Legal and Psychological Considerations. Paper presented at the Lake County Family Law Seminar, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 2015.
Morewitz, S. and Goldstein, M.L. (Eds.). The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology. New York: Springer, September 2013.
Goldstein, M.L. Child Custody Evaluations, in Morewitz, S. and Goldstein, M.L. (Eds.), The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology. New York: Springer, September 2013.
The Use of Psychological Tests in Custody Evaluations. Presentation to the Child Advocacy Committee, DuPage County Bar Association, January 2013.
Goldstein, M.L, Bricklin, B. and Elliott, G. Strategies in Handling and Overcoming Judicial Bias, paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, San Francisco, CA, May, 2012.
Goldstein, M.L. and Morewitz, S. Chronic Disorders in Children and Adolescents, New York: Springer, November, 2011.
Goldstein, M.L. “The Paulhus Deception Scales and MMPI-II in Custody Litigants.” Paper presented at the International Congress on Law and Mental Health conference, Berlin, Germany, 2011.
Goldstein, M.L, Bricklin, B. and Elliott, G. “Are We Really Ready for Research-based Custody Evaluation Recommendations?” Paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, San Diego, CA, April, 2011
Posthuma, A, Siegel, J. and Goldstein, M.L. Emotional Intelligence in Custody Disputes, paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, San Diego, CA, April, 2011.
Goldstein, M.L. Child Development, paper presented at the Lake County Bar Association child representative training program, Grayslake, IL, May, 2010.
Goldstein, M.L. Overnight Visitation in Custody Evaluations of Young Children, paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, San Diego, CA, March, 2009.
Morewitz, S. and Goldstein, M.L. Aging and Chronic Disorders, New York: Springer, 2007.
Goldstein, M.L. and Rappaport, S. Use of Psychological Tests in Custody Evaluations, paper presented at the American College of Forensic Psychologists symposium, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 2007.
Goldstein, M.L., Living with a Chronic Disease,” in S. Morewitz, Chronic Disease, Disability and Quality of Life. New York: Springer, 2006.
Goldstein, M.L. and Gates, D, Attachment and Overnight Visitation, paper presented at the Lake County Bar Association Annual Family Law conference, Savannah, GA, April 2006.
Goldstein, M.L., The Psychological Effects of Abuse, in S. Morewitz, Domestic Violence and Maternal and Child Health, New York: Kluwer/Plenum, 2004.
Goldstein, M.L., Kessler, K. and Equi, R. Joint versus Sole Custody: Psychological and Legal Considerations, workshop presented at the American College of Forensic Psychology symposium, Newport Beach, CA, April 2005.
Goldstein, M.L. and Kessler, K. Visitation Issues in Child Custody Cases, workshop presented at the American College of Forensic Examiners symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, October 2003.
Goldstein, M.L., Grodner, J. and Jordan, E. Psychological and Legal Considerations in Relocation/Removal Cases, workshop presented at the American College of Forensic Psychology conference, Rancho Mirage, CA, April 2003.
Goldstein, M.L. Preparing the Client for a 604 Evaluation, paper presented at the DuPage County Bar Association, Family Law Division meeting, Wheaton, IL, January 2003.
Goldstein, M.L. Ask the Expert: Re-visitation of the Tender Years Theory, paper presented at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Illinois chapter meeting, Chicago, IL, January 2002.
Goldstein, M.L. Parental Alienation, Proceedings of the Illinois Bar Association meeting, Lake Geneva, WI, June 2001.
Goldstein, M.L. The Use of Psychological Tests in Custody Cases,” paper presented at the Lake County Bar Association child representative training, Waukegan, IL, June 2001.
Goldstein, M.L. “Ask the Expert: Psychological Issues in Child Custody, paper presented at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Illinois chapter meeting, Chicago, IL, January 2001,
Goldstein, M.L., Austin, B. and Katz, S. Psychological and Legal Considerations in Child Custody Cases, Proceedings of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Fourth International Child Custody conference, Kiawah, SC, November 2000.
Goldstein, M.L. Parental Alienation Strategies, workshop presented at the Lake County Child Representative training, Waukegan, IL, June 2000.
Goldstein, M.L., Hines, L. Pacheco, F. and Rapaport, S. Factors to Consider in Mobility/Move out Cases, panel discussion at the Lake County Bar Association Family Law meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, March 2000.
Goldstein, M.L. “School Phobia,” Interview on CBS radio (national), September 1998.
Goldstein, M.L. The Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents, Grand Rounds, CPC Streamwood Hospital, Streamwood, IL, October 1992.
Goldstein, M.L. Effective Discipline and Limit Setting, workshop presented at the Women’s American ORT conference, Chicago, IL, April 1990.
Goldstein, M.L. and Harkins, Seth. An Ecological Systems Approach to Programming for BD Students, paper presented at the American Association for Psychiatric Services meeting, San Diego, CA, February 1990.
Goldstein, M.L., Wolf, H. and Gierbolini, J. Teaching Death and Dying to Residents, The Medical Psychotherapist, Winter 1987.
Goldstein, M.L. Review of Advances in Personality Assessment, Vol. 3, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Fall, 1987.
Goldstein, M.L. Inferential Diagnostic Techniques for School Psychologists, workshop presented at the annual Illinois School Psychologists conference, Peoria, IL, November 1987.
Goldstein, M.L. (ed.) Innovations in Behavioral Science Education, STFM Press, 1986.
Goldstein, M.L. and Morewitz, S. The Use of the Psychosocial Chart Audit with Family Practice Residents, paper presented at the annual Society of Teachers of Family Medicine conference, San Diego, CA, May 1986.
Goldstein, M.L. Child Abuse: Identification and Treatment, Documentary, WCIU, Channel 26, Chicago, IL, March 1986.
Goldstein, M.L. Advanced Projective Assessment with Children, seminar presented at the Illinois School Psychologists conference, Champaign, IL, February 1986.
Goldstein, M.L., Gierbolini, J. and Wolf, H. Supportive Care: An Alternate Means of Teaching Death and Dying to Residents, workshop presented at the Forum for Teachers of Behavioral Science in Family Practice Residencies, Lake Geneva, WI, November 1985.
Goldstein, M.L. Review of Written Communication in Family Medicine, Family Medicine, July 1985.
Goldstein, M.L. Psychological Consultation to Pediatricians and Family Physicians, workshop presented at the Behavioral Medicine conference, Chicago, IL, May 1985.
Goldstein, M.L. and Powell, J. Psychological Assessment of Sexual Abuse, Proceedings of the Symposium on the Future of Parenting, Chicago, IL, November 1984.
Goldstein, M.L. and Wolf, H. Children with Psychogenic Pain: Family Dynamics and Therapy, paper presented at the Chicago Family Therapy conference (Family Institute of Northwestern U.), Chicago, IL, November 1984.
Goldstein, M.L., Wolf, H., Powell, J. and Alparce, J. Integration of Psychology Interns and Externs with Family Practice Residents, paper presented at the annual Forum for Teachers of Behavioral Science, Lake Geneva, WI, November 1984.
Goldstein, M.L. Interventions with Non-compliant Patients, paper presented at the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine conference, Orlando, FL, May 1984.
Chaitkin, P. and Goldstein, M.L. Integration of a Dental Curriculum into a Family Practice Residency, paper presented at the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine conference, Orlando, FL, May 1984.
Goldstein, M.L. The Use of Paradox with Resistant and Non-Compliant Patients, paper presented at the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine conference, Boston, MA, May 1983.
Goldstein, M.L. Stage Fright: Dynamics and Treatment Strategies with Children, seminar presented at the Illinois Music Educators Association conference, Chicago, IL, April 1983.
Goldstein, M.L. Values Clarification: A Technique to Enhance Patient Care, seminar presented at the North Central Regional conference of the Society of Teachers in Family Medicine, Madison, WI, October 1982.
McHolland, J. and Goldstein, M.L. Family Therapy with Resistant Children and Adolescents, paper presented at the Chicago Family Therapy conference (Family Institute of Northwestern U.), Chicago, IL, October 1982.
Goldstein, M.L. The Use of Values Clarification in the Training of Family Physicians, Proceedings of the International Forum on Family Medicine Education, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 1982.
Goldstein, M.L. and Simmons, R. A Comparison of Jailed and Hospitalized Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenics, paper presented at the Society for Personality Assessment annual conference, Tampa, FL, March 1982.
Goldstein, M.L. Diagnostic Considerations in Child Custody Evaluations, paper presented at the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children annual conference, San Francisco, CA, November 1981.
Cherian, P., Goldstein, M.L. and Simmons, R. The Development of a Psychiatric Program in a Correctional Facility, Federal Probation, September 1981.
Goldstein, M.L. Developing Preventative Services, paper presented at the American Association of Psychiatric Services conference, Atlanta, GA, November 1978.
Schwartz, M. and Goldstein, M.L. Special Problems of the Precocious Child, paper presented at the Illinois Psychiatric Society conference, Chicago, IL, November 1977.
Goldstein, M.L. Opening Preschool Education, New Voices, Winter 1975
Goldstein, M.L. The Effect of Racial Prejudice on Visual Depth Perception: An Examination of Perceptual Defense and Sensitization, paper presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association conference, Atlanta, GA, November 1975.
Goldstein, M.L. The Effect of Prior Perceptions on Diagnosis, paper presented at the Florida Association of Psychologists conference, Orlando, FL, October 1974.
Goldstein, M.L. A Training Program for Day Care Paraprofessionals. Monograph available from the Institute for the Development of Human Resources, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, December 1973.