Charges Filed Against Psychologist Over Custody Evaluation Practices
The Washington State Department of Health’s Examining Board of Psychology has formally accused licensed psychologist Jeffrey Allen Lee of unprofessional conduct tied to confidentiality lapses and deviations from established clinical standards during a 2020 family court custody assessment.
The board issued a statement of charges on May 8, 2026, detailing concerns arising from Lee’s work in a dissolution case in Clark County. Appointed by the Clark County Superior Court in March 2020, Lee was assigned to carry out a bilateral custody evaluation for a participant referred to as “Parent A.”
According to the charges, Lee disclosed identifying information about individuals not involved in Parent A’s evaluation when sharing a draft report. These third parties included extended family members and professionals consulted during the assessment, whose names appeared without redaction.
A second privacy concern emerged during a virtual deposition on April 8, 2021. The board noted that Lee appeared on camera with documents and notes bearing client names clearly visible in the background, exposing confidential data during live proceedings.
Beyond confidentiality issues, the Department of Health contends that Lee’s October 23, 2020, custody evaluation did not meet prevailing clinical norms. Specifically, the report omitted justification for excluding direct parent-child observations—a standard component in such evaluations. The statement further notes that Lee did not record his firsthand behavioral assessments of the involved parties, outline limitations of any standardized testing administered, or explain his decision not to engage with collateral contacts recommended by Parent A.
These omissions and practices, the board argues, amount to unprofessional conduct under state law. The charges reference violations of the Revised Code of Washington, citing elements of professional incompetence, negligence, and malpractice that could expose clients to meaningful risk. Additionally, the board points to breaches of the Washington Administrative Code, which mandates psychologists implement safeguards to protect client privacy.
Lee, who has been licensed in Washington since February 2012, received formal notice of the charges and has the opportunity to respond. Should he remain unresponsive, the state may proceed with disciplinary action and impose sanctions.
A statement of charges serves as an initial allegation rather than a final determination, and Lee’s response will help shape the next steps in the process.