I provide diagnostic evaluations, psychological testing, and attorney consultation services.  Forensic psychology is the interface of psychology and the law, so all psychological services provided for the legal community are forensic psychological services.  Most forensic psychologists provide services which are both clinical and forensic in nature. When a psychologist treats an individual who was emotionally traumatized by an accident, the treatment is clinical in nature, designed to assist the individual in recovering from the trauma. But when the psychologist is asked to provide a report for the court, regarding the extent of the trauma, and to assess the psychological damage incurred, then the psychologist is providing a forensic service.

Psychological evaluation and consulting services intended to assist the courts in determining decisions regarding family, civil, or criminal matters, require a detailed, situation-specific assessment strategy which goes beyond the typical psychological evaluation completed for clinical purposes. A forensic psychological report can include the following:

• The summary and conclusions must relate directly to the legal issues of the case.
• The relationship between psychological factors and the legal issues should be described.
• The findings should reflect standard psychological practice.
• Criticism of other experts and/or treatment providers is acceptable, but the expert should explain identified problems with their methods and/or conclusions.
• Research that supports the expert's conclusions should be noted.
• The recommendations must be practical.
• Treatment recommendations should reflect services available in the community.
• Implementation of the recommendations must be possible within the resources available through the legal system.
• Recommendations should be clearly stated without professional jargon. 
• Psychologists should refrain from making recommendations that are not psychological in nature, regarding the legal issues.

After completing a forensic evaluation, psychologists should be able to logically defend their conclusions, using explanations which are understandable to non-psychologists. Psychological experts must be able to explain complex psychological issues to non-psychologists, whether it be to a judge or to a jury, as the finder of fact. The issues should be presented in clear and simple language. The conclusions and recommendations of the expert should assist the fact finder in reaching a decision, and should not add confusion to that process.

For these reasons, psychologists who complete forensic evaluations should have a broad clinical background, excellent assessment skills, superior communication skills, and experience in completing psychological evaluations in a legal setting. Psychologists should evaluate the facts of the case, and render an opinion regarding the psychological issues present. Psychologists should not offer opinions outside their area of professional competence. Psychologists are expected to function as experts within the limitations of their profession, and must recognize and identify those limitations as part of their work as experts.

Neuropsychological Evaluations

Neuropsychological Diagnosis, Testing, and Evaluation: I treat individuals with central nervous system disorders including depression, anxiety (e.g., panic disorders), attentional and memory impairment, learning disabilities, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, dementia, and other disorders that affect higher cognitive abilities (thinking, reasoning, categorizing, remembering, attending, perceiving, speaking, reading, and writing). 

Neuropsychological and Psychoeducational Services: My services include neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations and assessments of Children: Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD); learning disabilities; pervasive developmental disorders (autism, Asperger's syndrome); seizure disorders; and speech-language issues; Adolescents: Conduct and oppositional disorders; substance use and abuse; (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), and Adults: Cognitive and intellectual problems including the early detection of dementia and other brain disorders affecting higher cognitive abilities: Multiple sclerosis; epilepsy and seizure disorders; language disorders; mood and psychosomatic disorders; movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease); and stroke and traumatic brain injury.