Throughout their careers, mental health practitioners receive education and training on conducting assessments in a variety of settings. These assessments rely on both interviews and record reviews. According to the American Psychological Association, an evaluation becomes forensic when a practitioner “reasonably expects to, agrees to, or is legally mandated to provide expertise on an explicitly psycholegal issue.” This distinction sets forensic evaluations apart from standard clinical evaluations, as they require evaluators to be well-versed in the ultimate issue before the court.

Seasoned evaluators Amy Griffith, PhD, and Seth Wescott, LMLP, ASTA-F, developed this training to assist professionals in refining their skills and to offer insights on enhancing their practice. Conducting forensic interviews with adults presents unique challenges that differ from traditional clinical practice, and becoming familiar with them can be akin to learning a new language. Determining what information is relevant and the right process to obtain it can make the difference between an effective and ineffective assessment.

In this training, Dr. Griffith and Mr. Wescott explore the elements of effective forensic interviews and the characteristics of the interviewer. The presenters provide an overview of the different types of forensic evaluations, emphasizing the unique referral questions for each, how the forensic interview is shaped by those referral questions, and the challenges of maintaining objectivity within a legal framework.

Interactive Follow-Up Meeting

Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.