Forensic Counseling & Evaluations

How likely is it that a sex offense will be repeated? Once a person commits a sex offense, the likelihood that it will be repeated is increased. Understanding how likely is a question that can be measured by scientific principles. Research regarding risk assessment, including with regard to sexual behavior, has grown exponentially in recent years.

A psychological assessment of mitigating factors is conducted prior to a defendant entering a plea or prior to sentencing. They assist the court in understanding the numerous multigenerational, biological, and environmental factors that have influenced the defendant's life experience and offer alternatives to prolonged sentences.

The Focused Assessment (FA) (formerly the Limited Family Assessment (LFA) is designed to address specific issues for which the court needs additional information. It is tailored to be a cost effective way to answer a limited number of issues. The court may only desire that the evaluator conducting a FA focus on one portion of ARS §25-403.

Department of Child Safety (DCS) psychological evaluations are conducted as a means to develop a comprehensive understanding of an individual's functioning, mental health, addictive behaviors, and parenting abilities.

An evaluation is completed in one or two appointments and entails a review of collateral documents provided by the referral source, a clinical interview with a licensed psychologist, and completion of empirically validated psychological assessments.A written report is produced upon completion of the evaluation and specifically addresses the referral questions delineated by DCS.

If you believe this is an emergent issue, please email the forensic assistant to request a more immediate review to determine whether the issue is time sensitive. I understand that if I put more than a single agenda item in the provided space, that only the first item I listed will be included in the session.