G. Andrew H. Benjamin, JD, Ph.D.

The exceptional features of Professor Benjamin's career are the breadth of his range of professional activities and the strength of his commitment to combining the best resources of Psychology and Law for the benefit of adults and children enmeshed in severe psychopathology.

Areas of Expertise


Lawyers often seek Dr. Benjamin's services for evaluation and treatment. Dr. Benjamin also has been working with families that are passing their business down to a younger generation for the past 21 years. Not only must families resolve psychosocial issues, but also strategic business and legal decisions must be made to further the best interests of all family members. His background and experience has assisted families in reaching great outcomes

While working with families engaged in high-conflict litigation and lawyers suffering from various mental health and drug abuse problems, Dr. Benjamin was named "Professional of the Year" by the Washington State Bar Association's Family Law Section. He was elected to serve as President of the Washington State Psychological Association and later his colleagues there created an award named after him for "outstanding and tireless contributions" that is given to a colleague for similar services on an annual basis. He was honored by the Puyallup Indian Nation's Health Authority for serving as a "modern day warrior fighting the mental illnesses, drug-alcohol addictions" of the people served by the Nation's program. After being elected as a representative of the great state of Washington to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Council for two terms, he was appointed the Council’s Parliamentarian, and still serves in that capacity. The APA conferred the Heiser Award on Dr. Benjamin in recognition of his record of public service and advocacy in numerous areas of professional activity.

Dr. Benjamin has published 57 peer reviewed articles in Psychology, Law, and Psychiatry journals. He is the author of three books published by APA: Law and Mental Health Professionals (1995,1998); Family Evaluation in Custody Litigation: Reducing Risks of Ethical Infractions and Malpractice (2003); and The Duty to Protect: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Considerations in Risk Assessment and Intervention (2009).

“I have worked with Dr. Benjamin as a board member on the Washington State Psychological Association, during part of that Dr. Benjamin served as president. I found him to be exemplary in that regard. As a forensic psychologist, I have also consulted with Dr. Benjamin on cases that have had particularly complex or nuanced legal components. Again, Dr. Benjamin provided valuable assistance in these circumstances.”

April 14, 2010. Harry Dudley, Licensed Psychologist, Harry C. Dudley, Psy.D.

“Andy is very perceptive and wise. I met with him once last fall and I've been reflecting on his advice ever since.”

February 23, 2009. Kim Wright, Publisher and Managing Editor, CuttingEdgeLaw.com, was with another company when working with Andy at Independent Management Role as a Lawyer and Clinical Psychologist.

“I have known Andy Benjamin as a colleague, partner and friend for thirty years. Astute, caring and reliable, he is a gifted psychologist who has worked with families, including his own, to create business structures that grow wealth while providing for equitable and agreeable transitions from one generation to the next. I sincerely believe that, because of his in-depth understanding of the dynamics of family businesses, he can help any family create a positive and constructive environment which supports and encourages success for current and future generations.”

January 28, 2009. Greg Anderson, Owner, Greg Anderson
worked directly with Andy at Independent Management Role as a Lawyer and Clinical Psychologist