Meet Our Team at Child Custody Clinic, PLLC
Lisa Bennett, Ph.D.
Founding Director and Clinical Psychologist:
Child Custody Clinic, PLLC
Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Bennett is a clinical and forensic psychologist who has been licensed in Virginia for over twenty years. After completing her Ph.D at the University of Virginia, Dr. Bennett has worked with youth and families in schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and outpatient clinics. She has specialized in working on cases related to custody litigation for over fifteen years and is the founding director of Child Custody Clinic, PLLC in Sterling, Virginia. Dr. Bennett has been recognized as an expert witness in multiple localities; she believes in neutrality in her role as custody evaluator, parent coordinator, child therapist or reunification therapist. She has served as a panel presenter along with attorneys and judges to provide CLE trainings on resist/refusal cases, monitoring addiction, how to speak to children about divorce, and the benefits of Independent Mental Health Evaluations. Dr. Bennett belongs to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the Professional Academy of Custody Evaluators.
Lisa Ernest, LCSW
Mrs. Ernest is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 23 years of experience serving children and their families as an agent of support, change, and empowerment. She has worked for the Department of Family Services, a group home, and the public schools. Mrs. Ernest has testified in court on behalf of children on multiple occasions. Her educational background includes an BSW and MSW in social work from Florida State University. She is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. A sensitive clinician, Mrs. Ernest has expertise in the areas of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Social Emotional Learning, Nurturing Parenting, Crisis Intervention, Mindfulness, Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Justice. Mrs. Ernest is open to accepting child and family therapy cases, as well as reunification therapy and parent-coaching clients.
Amanda Saoit LCSW-S
Amanda Saoit is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience who specializes in trauma informed therapy (EMDR). She has historically utilized a range of therapeutic techniques to assist with mental illness, substance abuse, and major life transitions. Her work history includes services to individuals in community mental health clinics, the Veterans Health Administration, and correctional facilities. Amanda is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She welcomes the opportunity to provide addiction monitoring, court ordered therapy, anger management, and coparenting support.
