Trauma-Informed Forensic Mental Health Assessment: Practical Implications, Ethical Tensions, and Alignment with Therapeutic Jurisprudence Principles
According to this report on ResearchGate, "a trauma-informed lens allows forensic mental health examiners to assess examinees in the context of their developmental histories and lived experience." Additionally, the report "examine[s] these issues through the framework of therapeutic jurisprudence; the principles of this framework and trauma-informed forensic mental health assessments are aligned and could (and should) synergistically lead to important changes to psycho-legal practice."
--
Our upcoming training program, Stigma in the Law and the Impact on the Forensic Mental Health Evaluation, explores a similar area through an emphasis on therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ). TJ is a school of thought that recognizes that, as a therapeutic agent, the law can have therapeutic or anti-therapeutic consequences. It also asks whether legal rules, procedures, and lawyer roles can or should be reshaped to enhance their therapeutic potential while not subordinating due process principles. Central to TJ are commitments to compassion and dignity, a focus on the quality and effectiveness of counsel, and, for the purposes of this program, a special focus on interactions between expert witnesses and those subject to court procedures.
Behavioral Health Aspects of Insomnia (February 1st | 1 Hour, 1 CE):Insomnia impacts millions of individuals every year, and is even higher among clients receiving services from behavioral health providers. Presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD, this training introduces participants to the causes, consequences, and red flag indicators of insomnia among behavioral health populations.
Sickness Behavior (February 10th | 3 Hours, 3 CEs):Sickness behavior is a coordinated set of behavioral changes (e.g., depression, cognitive impairment, etc.) that can occur in physically ill individuals. Although considered an adaptive response, persisting symptoms may negatively impact overall health and wellness.
Stigma in the Law and the Impact on the Forensic Mental Health Evaluation (February 23rd | 1.5 Hours, 1.5 CEs): Join presenters Michael Perlin, JD and Heather Ellis Cucolo, JD to learn about: the meaning of sanism, sanism’s pernicious impact on the legal process, how judges and lawyers regularly ignore this impact, the specific relevant issues raised in the forensic mental health evaluation process, and how the conscious employment of therapeutic jurisprudence principles is the best palliative for the problems at hand.
Our certificate programs offer highly advanced specialized education from leading experts instructors in the psychology & counseling. We offer flexible learning options that are easy to use, and learner-centric, with an ability to flex to different formats to suit varied needs and learning styles. Learn about our certificates options here.
Wishing you well,
Patricia A. Zapf, PhD VP, Continuing & Professional Studies Palo Alto University pzapf@paloaltou.edu concept.PaloAltoU.edu
CONCEPT Professional Training Engaging in Your Continued Professional Development | Practice Lifelong Excellence!
🔎 If you couldn't attend a recent training, don't worry! Many of our training programs are also available to you now on-demand. Check out our On-Demand catalogfor all the training you need at your convenience.
