| Have you made the decision to have your client | | | | to psychological assessment. Therefore, make certain |
| psychologically evaluated? Have you found yourself | | | | that your consultant also has a practice which is |
| struggling to strengthen his defense? | | | | largely clinical and oriented to psychological treatment. |
| If that is the case, you may want to check out what | | | | Clinicians are best at developing that all-important |
| options are available to you when it comes to seeking | | | | rapport with your client, and when testing is only part |
| and finding a mental health assessment expert. | | | | of their practice, they justifiably create the impression |
| Through this article, you are provided with the guidance | | | | of being a well-rounded and seasoned practitioner, |
| that you will need in order to identify those mental | | | | rather than that of being the operator of an |
| health experts who will be of the greatest use and | | | | assessment mill. |
| service to you and your clients today. | | | | In your analysis of various professionals rendering |
| When you are looking to find a consulting psychologist | | | | assessment services, you will want to consider their |
| to assist you with assessing a clients mental state, the | | | | credentials. For instance, typically a psychiatrist has |
| first factor to keep in mind is the reputation of a | | | | only about three years of training in mental health, |
| particular professional. Obviously, when you are dealing | | | | which is obtained during the residency. |
| with such sensitive and potentially life-changing issues | | | | The overwhelming majority of their training is in |
| as your clients culpability in committing a felony or his | | | | biochemistry, anatomy and general medical issues. |
| fitness to stand trial and assist counsel, be sure that | | | | They mainly prescribe medication, do very little |
| you connect with a reputable practitioner. | | | | counseling or psychotherapy and receive no |
| As with other areas in todays world, there are less | | | | specialized training in psychological testing and |
| experienced professionals who inject themselves into | | | | assessment. |
| the field of forensic psychology, the psychological | | | | On the other hand, the psychologist has the bulk of his |
| evaluation of the criminal defendant. Therefore, be | | | | training in counseling, psychology mental health and |
| cautious about the consulting psychologists that you | | | | psychological assessment. This is obtained during his |
| consider engaging for your clients assessments. | | | | last 2 years of college, his 3 to 4 years of graduate |
| Ask how many years the psychologist has been | | | | and professional school and his internship. Where |
| practicing. 15 or more years is adequate and be sure | | | | psychological assessment is concerned, there is no |
| to check with your state Board of Psychology to find | | | | question that the consulting psychologist will be more |
| out if any disciplinary action has ever been filed against | | | | suitable to the assessment needs of your practice. |
| him, and if so, its outcome. | | | | Therefore, only consider those mental health |
| In addition, make certain that you connect with a | | | | professionals who have their doctoral degree in |
| professional who does not have the reputation of | | | | psychology and are licensed to practice it |
| being a commercial purveyor of testing services to | | | | independently. |
| lawyers. Practitioners who run testing or assessment | | | | The Internet has now become a valuable resource for |
| mills can be superficial, careless, impatient and | | | | attorneys who need psychological services for their |
| unavailable by phone and email. | | | | clients. There are a number of different resources |
| Their arrogant and non-caring attitude can antagonize | | | | available to you today in this regard. |
| your client who is likely to be resistant anyway to | | | | You will find that by accessing the web site of the |
| giving such private and sensitive information to | | | | American Counseling Association, the American |
| someone whom he does not already know. The ability | | | | Psychological Association or your states psychological |
| to develop a genuine rapport with your client is | | | | association, you will be able to make smarter and |
| imperative to eliciting useful information from him. | | | | faster decisions regarding your practices needs for |
| The psychologists clinical experience is particularly | | | | psychiatric assessment services. |
| important when it comes to dealing with issues relating | | | | |