This advanced course offers an in-depth exploration of Medical Child Abuse (MCA), also known as Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) or Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA). Participants will gain a refined understanding of the clinical, forensic, and systemic complexities of this form of abuse.
The training focuses on offender behaviors, motivational dynamics, and key medical and psychological indicators, with emphasis on differentiating MCA from genuine medical conditions, caregiver anxiety, and malingering by proxy. Learners will develop skills in case conceptualization, red flag recognition, and defensible documentation.
The course also addresses ethical considerations, multidisciplinary collaboration, forensic record review, and legal implications, preparing professionals to respond with greater diagnostic clarity and confidence.
Learning Objectives
Objective 1: Identify core clinical and behavioral indicators associated with Medical Child Abuse (MCA), Munchausen by Proxy (MBP), and Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA).
Objective 2: Differentiate MCA from legitimate medical conditions, caregiver anxiety, somatic symptom presentations, and malingering by proxy.
Objective 3: Apply structured approaches to case conceptualization, documentation, and multidisciplinary communication in suspected MCA cases.
Objective 4: Evaluate the forensic and legal implications of MCA, including record analysis, risk considerations, and the role of expert consultation.
Presenter
Dr. Ari Gartin, Ph.D., LMHC, CFMHE
I am a Washington State licensed mental health counselor, forensic psychology consultant, and founder of Ariga Psychological Services, LLC. I have approximately fifteen years of experience as a mental health therapist. I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2025, completing a forensic specialty dissertation focused on diagnostic accuracy in Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another. My practice integrates psychological assessment, forensic record review, and expert consultation.
I specialize in the clinical and forensic evaluation of medical child abuse, malingering, competency, and related high-stakes diagnostic questions. I provide expert consultation, comprehensive medical and psychological record analysis, and legally defensible reports. I am currently conducting medical and forensic record reviews for several prominent cases active within the court system. In addition to my forensic work, I write on Substack, publishing analyses on medical child abuse and deception-based pathology.
I am a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the American Counseling Association, and the American Psychological Association, the National Board of Forensic Evaluators and I serve on the Board of Munchausen Support.
Cost
$20 for NBFE members (i.e., CFMHEs and CFMHE applicants/candidates) and, for members of our partnering organizations please see Professional Partners for current listing)
$40 for Non-members
