Biography

Kathryn Kuehnle, Ph.D. received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, is a Florida licensed psychologist, and currently holds a faculty position at the University of South Florida, Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Mental Health Law and Policy. In addition to her faculty position, she maintains a private forensic and clinical practice in Tampa, Florida, and specializes in the forensic evaluation of children alleged to have been sexually abused and in the treatment of maltreated children and victims of other family violence. She provides consultation to attorneys, mental health professionals, guardian ad litem staff, and other professionals. 

Dr. Kuehnle is published in peer review journals, written over a dozen book chapters, and conducts presentations nationally and internationally on topics related to child custody, child sexual abuse, and family violence.  She is the author of the book Assessing Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse, which is in its second revision. She also is the editor of the book Child Custody Litigation: Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse and is currently the lead editor on the soon to be published The Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: A Comprehensive Guide to Assessment and Testimony. 

Dr. Kuehnle is the past president of the Florida Psychological Association’s Division of Children, Adolescents, and Families; past Ethics chair of the Florida Psychological Association; and was appointed by the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice to serve as a member of the Family Court Steering Committee.  She was appointed to serve on the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Child Custody Standards Task Force, and assisted in the development of the new AFCC Child Custody Standards. She is a current member of the APA–ABA Working Group on Issues of Alleged Abuse, Neglect, and Endangerment.

Recent Publications

Kuehnle, K., & Sparta, S. (in press). Evaluating child sexual abuse allegations. In S.N. Sparta & G.P. Koocher (Eds.), Forensic assessment of children and adolescents: Issues and applications. New York: Oxford University Press.

Kuehnle, K. F. (in press). Child sexual abuse: Treatment issues. In. G. P. Koocher, J. C. Norcross, S. S. Hill, III (Eds.), The Psychologist's Desk Reference (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Oxford University Press.

Kuehnle, K., Greenberg, L., & Gottlieb, M. (2004). Incorporating the principles of scientifically based child interviews into family law cases. Journal of Child Custody, 1(1), 97-114.

Drodz, L., Kuehnle, K., & Walker, L. (2004). Safety first: A model for understanding domestic violence in child custody and access disputes. Journal of Child Custody, 1(2), 75-103.