Dr. Gardner is one of the best evaluators around. Her opinion is respected in the field. She is honest and has a keen eye for personality disorders.

by Truth Seeker xxx.xxx.79.245

February 08, 2019

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I've known Dr. Gardner for over 20 years and I can't believe the negative review below. I've known her to be a dedicated, perceptive professional.
She cares about the welfare of every child and uses her skills and experience to make an accurate and thoughtful evaluation. She is an insightful and honest professional.
She will make accurate suggestions for the well being of the child above all else and isn’t that what we all want? The children are innocent and need this kind of unbiased assessment.

by A Good Mother xxx.xxx.77.40

August 02, 2016

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She is expert at what she does and is highly regarded by peers.

by susan xxx.xxx.42.161

July 14, 2016

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I have reported Dr. Mary Gardner to the American Psychologist Association, and the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, and will continue to find more places to file a formal complaint if I can. She should NOT be in possession of her license, nor should she ever be allowed to conduct evaluations on child custody issues. She was picked by my ex-husband’s attorney, and now I know why. After my experience, and speaking to attorneys who have personally worked with her SHE IS BIASED TOWARDS MEN AND ANYONE WHO IS PAYING HER BILL. I was told that she has a very bad reputation and is not accepted by her piers or colleague due to her illegal, harsh and biased evaluations. No surprise there. I agree that she has also violated many ethical areas of her profession including not being bias or prejudice in her evaluations. In my case, she met with my ex-husband multiple times before meeting with me, and spoke with his attorney. She refused to speak to my attorney, accept paperwork from me beyond the questionnaire, and only sat down with me 2 times. I saw two stacks of paper that my ex-husband had submitted, each stack was a minimum of 10" high, but Dr. Gardner restricted me to 2 pages “three at the most”, and I wasn’t convinced that she’d even read them, she was resistant to accepting them. When I mentioned that I wanted equal time/paper, she abruptly interrupted me a generic well-rehearsed statement, & pressed on. All of the paperwork that came from my ex was nothing but allegations that were never substantiated or proven. When I told her that I’d like to see proof of an allegation, she became hostile. She never allowed me to volunteer information, she didn’t discuss relevant info with me. She was extremely protective over my ex-husband. Any proof that I provided her, she refused to read or dismissed it. Every allegation that came from my ex, she used against me. She never called my references or verified any of my claims. She couldn’t remember ANYTHING that I had previously mentioned to her, or gave to her in writing. She claimed that she didn’t even read my questionnaire because she didn’t have time, but was able to “skim through it”. She kept extremely bad notes, and had to be corrected several times. She twisted a majority of what I told her, & during her ‘recap’ in our last session, she never mentioned the major issues that I had with my ex & her list was very short & vague, yet when it came to her FINALLY telling me what my ex’s allegations were, his list was long and detailed. Dr. Gardner refused to let me respond to my ex’s allegations and reprimanded me when I tried. How can she conduct a fair evaluation if she won’t listen to both sides? I have been with my children since birth. I’ve followed my decree and JPA to a ‘T’. I provided photos of physical abuse that occurred during our marriage but Dr. Gardner wouldn’t accept it, claiming that I probably hurt myself and since my pics didn’t show my ex in the act of hurting me, that I couldn’t prove that he did it. I provided documentation to back up every allegation that I had but she refused to accept it. I’ve had my children in counseling to help repair their fractured relationship with their father, yet Dr. Gardner accused me of not facilitating a relationship between them. My ex abandoned us & moved several states away for a long period of time. He’s violated just about every Order & JPA regulation, speaks in disparage of me constantly, he’s out of town 3 of the 4 weeks of the month, & he just filed for a divorce, yet Dr. Gardner’s evaluation was to change custody of the children to HIM! Are you kidding me?? Dr. Gardner was rude, abrasive, accusatory, judgmental, extremely biased, didn’t offer equal time. I wish that I had known her reputation before she was appointed as the 604b, because she did nothing but falsify information to suit her agenda. She is a child abuser in every way, and I will do whatever it takes to get her medical license revoked, and tell my story with the hope that she never has the opportunity to do this to another person again. Spread the word people, and file your complaints if you have them!

by Jane xxx.xxx.85.168

November 05, 2015

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CORRUPT. This woman is known to be corrupt in the family law field. Do not visit her without recording each session, she will lie in her report about your quotes and demeanor. She will fabricate quotes from your kids. Defy any court order that says to meet with her, and do not sign her consent form unless the wording about recording sessions is removed. Fight her appointment as an evaluator as well, we're talking about innocent kids, and this greedy psychologist is simply looking for future referrals.

by Justice xxx.xxx.216.42

April 17, 2015

Gardner Mary Psyd

Consumer Feedback

Gardner Mary Psyd

Psychologists

Chicago, IL

LifeStance Health

Chicago, IL

LifeStance Health

Chicago, IL

LifeStance Health

Chicago, IL

Consumer Feedback