Dr. Steve Tutty Steps Back from Family Court Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Dr. Steve R. Tutty, a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist based in Washington state, has announced he is ceasing to accept new divorce-related custody cases—a move he describes as both professional and principled. In a recent editorial published on his firm’s website, NW Family Psychology, Tutty portrayed divorce litigation as “highly adversarial,” with “zero protection for the mental health profession.” He noted that “no one really wins in USA divorce court, aside from the attorneys,” citing “firing squad depositions” and “brutal cross examinations” as routine stressors. When asked what he’d tell his younger self, Tutty offered a candid reply: “Don’t take divorce cases.”
His decision to step back coincides with increasing regulatory attention. As of June 16, 2026, records from the Washington State Department of Health show Tutty’s psychologist license remains active, though flagged with an “Enforcement Action.” His file in the state’s Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) reflects five open cases and 12 closed ones.
The most consequential of the open matters is a formal Statement of Charges issued by the Examining Board of Psychology in late October 2025. Investigators allege that Tutty modified clinical recommendations in a 2018 child custody evaluation at the request of one parent—specifically, after receiving feedback that the initial reports did not support a proposed residential schedule change. According to the charging documents, revised reports were issued five days later, incorporating the requested adjustments. State investigators claim the original clinical data did not substantiate those changes.
Additionally, the charges assert that Tutty shared confidential evaluation reports with minors’ parents without first obtaining signed consent forms from the children—though Tutty maintains his practice aligned with prevailing professional standards and legal requirements.
Tutty has not directly responded to the current state charges in his public commentary, instead emphasizing broader philosophical concerns about mental health professionals’ vulnerability in family court. “You are literally walking into a mine field, blindfolded, at night,” he wrote, advocating that best-interest determinations ultimately rest with judges rather than clinicians.
The HELMS file also documents a prior disciplinary matter, resolved in December 2023. In an Informal Disposition finalized in January 2022, Tutty’s practice settled allegations of overcharging Kaiser Permanente members. Investigators claimed his office sought thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket payments from patients after insurer denials stemming from administrative errors. As part of the resolution, Tutty agreed to pay $4,000 in administrative costs and consent to unannounced practice audits—steps completed prior to his formal release.
Beyond these formal actions, other controversies have surfaced over the years. Tutty’s practice has drawn attention for its forensic methodology, with licensing complaints occasionally filed by parents dissatisfied with professional opinions they perceived as unfavorable—a pattern he says is common across the field.
Looking ahead, Tutty plans to refocus his forensic work on personal injury evaluations, particularly assessing individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Clinically, he intends to emphasize strengths-based approaches for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities. In his editorial, he also highlighted early research into telephone-based depression interventions and non-pharmacological social skills training for pediatric ADHD—work he views as foundational to his professional identity.
Throughout, Tutty underscores that a Statement of Charges constitutes an accusation, not a finding—a distinction he believes is essential in understanding the regulatory process and protecting clinical independence.
Dr. Steve Tutty: Allegations Denies as Case Proceeds
Dr. Steve Tutty, a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, is facing a Statement of Charges from the state board regarding his professional conduct. The document outlines allegations against the practitioner, though Dr. Tutty maintains that his work has consistently adhered to legal and professional standards.
The charges against Dr. Tutty remain unproven and contested. Dr. Tutty has denied the accusations, emphasizing that a Statement of Charges is merely an accusation rather than a finding of guilt. He has also noted that complaints filed against custody evaluators often originate from parents who are dissatisfied with an honest, objective professional opinion regarding their children.
The Washington Department of Health states on its credentialing site that the presence of open cases or enforcement actions does not imply that a practitioner is not competent. Consequently, the active charges against Dr. Tutty remain allegations until formally resolved by the Examining Board.
A History of High-Volume Practice
Dr. Tutty notes that his practice has evaluated over 3,300 youth and 535 adults over his 25-year career. To manage the demands of his clinical work, Dr. Tutty wrote that he relies on spending at least an hour a day in nature and with animals to “reset,” stating he “likely would not have made it this far in life” without the routine.
He also utilizes telehealth to work remotely, recently spending a 90-day telehealth stint abroad, including a six-week stay in Vietnam for what he described as a “super enlightening reset.”
Case History and Prior Settlement
The current situation follows a prior administrative matter. Records indicate a settlement regarding billing practices, which was resolved as an informal disposition. This matter was closed and was administrative in nature.