Business Details
Expert Forensic Psychological Services in Honolulu
Dr. Marvin Acklin is a distinguished practice dedicated to providing comprehensive clinical and forensic psychological services. With decades of experience, our team specializes in psychological evaluations, therapeutic interventions, and expert testimony for legal proceedings. Our founder, Dr. Marvin W. Acklin, is a board-certified psychologist with expertise in clinical, assessment, and forensic psychology, offering services to children, adolescents, and adults. We integrate scientific research into practice, ensuring evidence-based approaches to diagnostics, treatment, and risk assessment.Our work extends to child custody evaluations, legal capacity assessments, and forensic consultations, serving courts, legal professionals, and private clients. As a leader in applied clinical research, we have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences. Our commitment to ethical standards, professional integrity, and client-centered care positions us as a trusted authority in forensic psychology. We provide tailored solutions for complex psychological and legal challenges, emphasizing accuracy, reliability, and actionable insights.
Services
Psychological Assessments
Child Custody Evaluations
Forensic Risk Assessments
Psychoeducational Testing
Legal Capacity Assessments
Expert Witness Testimony
Neuropsychological Assessments
Parenting Capacity Evaluations
Divorce and Custody Consultations
Mental Health Treatment
Highlights and features
- Board-certified in clinical, assessment, and forensic psychology (ABPP, ABAP, ABFP).
- Over 3,000 psychological evaluations conducted for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Scientist-practitioner model integrating peer-reviewed research into clinical practice.
- Published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in psychological assessment.
- Expert witness qualified in Hawaii state, federal, and military courts.
Associations and certifications
- American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
- American Board of Assessment Psychology (ABAP)
- American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP)
Services
Psychological Assessments
Comprehensive psychological assessments evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning for children, adolescents, and adults. These evaluations inform diagnoses, treatment plans, and legal decisions. Our assessments integrate clinical science and standardized testing to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Child Custody Evaluations
Child custody evaluations assess parental capabilities and family dynamics in divorce or custody disputes. We employ evidence-based methods to determine the child's best interests. Our evaluations include interviews, testing, and analysis of psychosocial factors.
Forensic Risk Assessments
Forensic risk assessments evaluate potential risks in legal contexts, including violence, recidivism, or fitness for duty. We use actuarial tools and behavioral science to provide objective, court-admissible insights for civil and criminal cases.
Psychoeducational Testing
Psychoeducational testing identifies learning disabilities, ADHD, and cognitive strengths in children and adults. The process includes cognitive and achievement testing, school consultations, and tailored recommendations for educational support.
Expert Witness Testimony
Expert witness services provide psychological expertise in civil and criminal litigation. Dr. Acklin offers court-qualified testimony, case reviews, and research-based analysis for issues like competency, mental state, and legal capacity.
People
Dr. Marvin W. Acklin
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Dr. Acklin is a board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist with over 30 years of experience. He specializes in psychological evaluations, child custody cases, and forensic consultations. He has published 60+ peer-reviewed articles and serves on editorial boards. Dr. Acklin is a fellow of multiple professional associations and co-director of Dr. Marvin Acklin.
Questions
What services does Pacific Forensic Associates offer?
We provide psychological assessments, child custody evaluations, forensic risk assessments, psychoeducational testing, and expert witness testimony for legal cases.
How do I schedule an evaluation?
Contact our Honolulu office to discuss your needs and arrange an initial consultation for assessments or forensic services.
Does insurance cover your services?
We can assist with filing insurance claims, but coverage varies. Fees are payable in advance, and reimbursement is not guaranteed.
Are your evaluations court-admissible?
Yes, our assessments follow standardized protocols and are conducted by board-certified experts qualified to testify in court.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Hawaii, with expertise in state, federal, and military court proceedings across the islands.
Reviews (1)
Nathaniel Adam Hart
Jul 03, 2026
Report
Horrible experience he took my almost $10,000 payment in full and never scheduled a visit until 5 months later.
Ive never been in this situation before so I had questions about the process
But instead of being calm and courteous and answering my questions in a professional capacity I was verbally berated by Dr Marvin acklin. In an unnecessarily loud manner. And talked down to and asked to leave after asking few reasonable questions and even though I waited a YEAR to finally have someone Look to my three-year-old sons best interests and listen to my side of the story without judging me based on hearsay.
But
Instead of calmly Answering my few small questions so I was aware of what I was signing
He raised his voice and Spoke to me in a demeaning manner Told me he wasnt here to answer my questions That I was to sit there and shut up and answer his
after hearing that I asked why Are you so upset ?and why are you raising your voice and Talking to down to me like that ? then he basically kicked me out of his office saying I was being difficult while I was calming asking questions. Knowing this individual was my only opportunity to get my story heard I was willing to be calm and kind yet cautious I would never be Argumentative adversarial or confrontational as I was there to comply and move forward.
But instead I was treated with disrespect and Unreasonable behavior
At first I thought it was a test to see how well I did under pressure I expected more professional courtesy and a professional attitude From such a well respected individual. Instead he lied and filed papers with the court stating I was Demanding and disrespectful and in 30 years he never had to eject anyone from his office
Maybe he just never had anyone care enough to ask the difficult questions and care about the truth more than opinion.
Please use facts and logic. Not emotion or opinion to make your decisions
Please always ask questions
Please always seek the truth
There is two sides to each story and nothing is as it seems
In my opinion
stay as far away as you can from DR ACKLIN
Good luck in your search. Please Learn from your mistakes and from the mistakes of others.. Together We will succeed
Thru presence positivity and patience we will see progress #wyattimheretostay
Ive never been in this situation before so I had questions about the process
But instead of being calm and courteous and answering my questions in a professional capacity I was verbally berated by Dr Marvin acklin. In an unnecessarily loud manner. And talked down to and asked to leave after asking few reasonable questions and even though I waited a YEAR to finally have someone Look to my three-year-old sons best interests and listen to my side of the story without judging me based on hearsay.
But
Instead of calmly Answering my few small questions so I was aware of what I was signing
He raised his voice and Spoke to me in a demeaning manner Told me he wasnt here to answer my questions That I was to sit there and shut up and answer his
after hearing that I asked why Are you so upset ?and why are you raising your voice and Talking to down to me like that ? then he basically kicked me out of his office saying I was being difficult while I was calming asking questions. Knowing this individual was my only opportunity to get my story heard I was willing to be calm and kind yet cautious I would never be Argumentative adversarial or confrontational as I was there to comply and move forward.
But instead I was treated with disrespect and Unreasonable behavior
At first I thought it was a test to see how well I did under pressure I expected more professional courtesy and a professional attitude From such a well respected individual. Instead he lied and filed papers with the court stating I was Demanding and disrespectful and in 30 years he never had to eject anyone from his office
Maybe he just never had anyone care enough to ask the difficult questions and care about the truth more than opinion.
Please use facts and logic. Not emotion or opinion to make your decisions
Please always ask questions
Please always seek the truth
There is two sides to each story and nothing is as it seems
In my opinion
stay as far away as you can from DR ACKLIN
Good luck in your search. Please Learn from your mistakes and from the mistakes of others.. Together We will succeed
Thru presence positivity and patience we will see progress #wyattimheretostay
