Services

Forensic and psycho-legal evaluations are conducted to address specific legal or administrative questions arising in criminal, civil, or regulatory contexts. These evaluations are structured around clearly defined referral questions and are informed by clinical interview, collateral information, record review, and psychological testing when appropriate.

Services in this category encompass court- or attorney-referred psycho-legal questions that fall outside discrete statutory evaluations, including matters related to mental state, functional capacity, credibility-relevant clinical issues, and other legally relevant psychological considerations. Services may also include case-specific forensic evaluations such as sentencing mitigation assessments, psychological record review, and consultation with counsel regarding clinically relevant factors in legal proceedings. Findings are documented in clear, objective, and clinically grounded written reports

Mental health diversion evaluations are conducted to assist the court in determining statutory eligibility and suitability for diversion pursuant to California Penal Code §1001.36. These evaluations address diagnostic considerations, current clinical stability, treatment history, and factors bearing on the individual’s ability to safely and effectively participate in treatment.

Evaluations typically involve a clinical interview, review of available records, and consideration of risk factors, protective factors, and functional capacity. Findings are presented in structured, objective reports that address the statutory framework while emphasizing clinical appropriateness, public safety considerations, and professional standards. When granted, diversion allows eligible individuals to engage in court-supervised treatment in lieu of traditional criminal adjudication, contingent upon clinical appropriateness and public safety considerations.

Competency to stand trial evaluations are conducted to assist the court in determining whether a defendant currently possesses the capacity to understand the nature of the criminal proceedings and to rationally assist counsel in the preparation of a defense, consistent with applicable legal standards.

These evaluations focus on the defendant’s present mental functioning as it relates to factual and rational understanding of the proceedings and ability to consult with counsel. Evaluations are based on clinical interview, review of available records, and consideration of relevant cognitive, psychiatric, and functional factors. Findings are presented in clear, objective reports that address the competency question without opining on guilt or culpability.

Social Security disability evaluations are conducted to assess the functional impact of mental health, cognitive, neurocognitive, and neurodevelopmental conditions as they relate to eligibility for benefits under the Social Security Administration’s disability programs.

Evaluations focus on current symptoms, longitudinal history, and resulting functional limitations across relevant domains of daily functioning and work-related capacity. Conditions evaluated may include psychiatric disorders, acquired or developmental cognitive impairment, and neurocognitive conditions, as appropriate to the referral question. Evaluations typically involve clinical interview, review of available records, standardized psychological testing when appropriate, all with consideration of consistency, persistence, and severity of reported impairments. Findings are presented in objective reports intended to assist disability determination in accordance with applicable administrative standards.

Diagnostic, cognitive, and personality assessments are conducted to address complex questions related to psychological functioning, cognitive or intellectual abilities, and personality structure. These evaluations are individualized and may be requested by attorneys, agencies, or self-referred individuals seeking a comprehensive psychological assessment.

Evaluations typically involve an in-depth clinical interview, review of relevant background information, and targeted use of standardized psychological measures, including cognitive and personality instruments, as appropriate to the referral question. Areas commonly assessed include intellectual functioning, cognitive strengths and weaknesses, personality organization, symptom presentation, and diagnostic clarification.

Professional consultation is offered to attorneys, agencies, organizations, and individuals seeking expert psychological input on discrete clinical, forensic, or professional questions. Consultations are time-limited and focused on clarifying complex issues, evaluating options, and providing informed guidance within the consultant’s area of expertise.

Consultation requests may include case conceptualization, interpretation of psychological records or testing data, guidance on evaluation strategy, professional decision-making, career-related advisement within psychology. Consultations are tailored to the specific question and do not involve the provision of psychotherapy or formal psychological evaluation.