If psychology is the broad study of human behavior and motivations for human behavior, then forensic psychology studies human behavior and its motivations in legal, criminal, and carceral contexts. Is a convicted felon ready to rejoin society? Is a particular parent suitable and ready for joint custody? Why did an individual without a previous record commit a violent crime? Is a victim of violence able and ready to testify? These are the questions with which forensic psychologists contend each day.
Forensic psychologists must bring an in-depth knowledge of clinical psychology and a broad knowledge of the legal, criminal, and carceral contexts to which they speak. Forensic psychologists often provide expert testimony, which, in many cases, is life-changing. Whether an individual will face challenges adapting to life after a lengthy prison term or whether a parent struggling with psychological issues can handle child custody are issues that require compassion, psychological expertise, and sensitivity to the needs of all parties. Our clinicians bring decades of legal experience to each case and a seasoned understanding of the law and criminal justice system.
In the legal world, testimony from a forensic psychologist can provide crucial evidence in a case. Our clinicians are highly respected professionals with a reputation for providing thorough, comprehensive, and impartial assessments of a case. They can assess whether individual’s mental health capacity if s/he must testify, represent themselves, or be cognizant of the charges s/he is facing.
In criminal justice contexts, forensic psychologists can provide psychological insight into the behavior of estranged parents, individuals in interpersonal and intra-familial conflicts, and child custody cases. Forensic psychology gives legal and criminal justice professional the tools to help predict future behavior and sensitively assess the needs of those affected by familial challenges. Similarly, forensic psychology allows employers to assess whether an employee who has experienced a crisis is ready to return to a working environment. Our experts bring years of experience working with diverse populations to each case and a deep ethical commitment to ensuring the optimal outcome for both parties.
Finding a forensic psychologist that suits your particular needs can be challenging. Fortunately, our clinicians represent an array of experience and expertise. Whether your case requires expert, impartial assessments in a civic context or a thorough, psychological evaluation in a criminal justice context, we will bring impartiality, compassion, and a deep knowledge of the psychological dimensions to your case. You can find more information on forensic psychology here if you wish to read more.