Marriage and family therapy was a natural path for Christian Jordal. “From early on, I was drawn to understanding how people relate and communicate—especially in families. During my training, I realized that systems thinking provided the clearest lens for making sense of human behavior,” he says. “My work emphasizes relational dynamics and the emotional context that underpins conflict and healing.”
In his role as an expert witness, Jordal helps attorneys and the courts see the full picture of the family. “This is at the heart of my work. Decisions about families and children need to be based on insight, not assumption.”
AALM: Tell us about your work as a therapist and your decision to found Relationshipped in 2015.
CJ: For over 20 years, I’ve worked with individuals, couples and families facing challenges around trauma, infidelity, identity and intimacy. I founded Relationshipped to offer a safe, inclusive space for people dealing with sensitive relational concerns—especially those related to sexuality, trust and attachment. It reflects my commitment to care that’s both clinically sound and deeply human.
AALM: When did you first serve as an expert witness? What compelled you to continue offering these services?
CJ: My first case was a federal matter involving an undocumented parent who was facing deportation. I was retained to assess the mental health impact on one of his children—a transgender youth—should the parent be removed. I conducted a comprehensive evaluation and provided expert testimony. The judge ruled in the family’s favor. That experience showed me how powerful clear, informed testimony can be. It compelled me to continue offering services, especially where family systems and vulnerable identities intersect with the law.
AALM: How does your clinical background inform your work as an expert witness?
CJ: As a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, I assess individual behavior in the context of broader relational patterns. I bring a systems-based lens to issues like abuse allegations, parental alienation and sexual behavior—areas that require nuance and objectivity. This integrative view sets me apart from more narrowly focused experts.
AALM: Tell us about your national and state-level leadership roles.
CJ: I served three years as a commissioner with the Commission for Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education, ensuring graduate programs met high standards for clinical and ethical practice. Around the same time, I was appointed by the governor to Pennsylvania’s State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, where I helped oversee licensure and regulatory policy. Both roles deepened my understanding of clinical accountability.
AALM: Are there any especially memorable or nuanced cases you’ve worked on?
CJ: Cases involving allegations of abuse or alienation are always complex. One stands out where I clarified how a parent’s well-intentioned behavior was subtly harming the child’s relationship with the other parent. Helping the court see those dynamics shifted the outcome and, more importantly, the child’s future.
AALM: How would you describe your expert witness approach?
CJ: I’m methodical, clear and grounded in clinical integrity. My goal is to translate complex mental health dynamics into accessible, legally relevant language. I don’t advocate for a side—I advocate for clarity. Attorneys often say they value my ability to explain family systems in a way judges and juries can use.
AALM: What trends are you seeing in current litigation?
CJ: There’s a rise in cases involving blended families, co-parenting challenges amid mental health issues, and digital-age concerns around teens and identity. Courts are being asked to rule on issues they’re still learning to understand. That’s where expert insight is critical.
