What does Forensic Services mean?
Short Answer: Working with legal issues as it relates to mental well-being utilizing psychological evaluation, assessment, and therapy.
Forensic Services often applies to those on probation or possibly facing charges, and the court or attorney representing the case, may request assessments to be done to determine if any treatment is needed to prevent future issues and provide help for the current situation if needed.
“Will I being seeing you or a student?”
Me! All services are provided by experienced clinicians, no students on site. You will be seeing me each time. No worries of seeing someone different each time and having to explain your situation over and over. If you will ever be seeing someone different, we would discuss it in advance and there would be reason behind it, such as I may know someone that specializes in what you are seeking help with or if you need alternative scheduling and I know someone that could meet those needs. Never a surprise change up on who you will see.
Services Provided
Substance Abuse Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy (IOP/SOP)*
Alcohol Awareness Class (not the same as DWI class)*
MRT Classes (Moral Reconation Therapy, sometimes called Accountability classes)*
*Limited availability, contact for more info
**All services listed above include report writing, monthly updates as required by supervising officer/court, and completion certificate upon completion of program**
Service Details
Substance Abuse Evaluations
Substance Abuse Evaluations (SAE) include a clinical interview and self-report assessments and usually take 45 minutes to complete if all forms are completed in advance. After the session, the assessments are scored and interpreted, then a report is written combing the information gained during the clinical interview and the results of assessments.
If the assessment is court ordered, the results will be sent directly to the requesting entity. I currently work with Denton County and Collin County probation departments, and have experience working with pre-trial needs.
Often, reports can be accepted for other counties throughout the state of Texas. Your needs will be discussed during scheduling to ensure the report meets the needs of the requesting party prior to assessment.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding assessment and compliance with your needs by clicking here.
*Tele-health is often available for Substance Abuse Evaluations*
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations include a clinical interview and self-report assessments, sometimes completed on a computer in office. The clinical interview time can vary depending upon the need of the assessment, but often takes less than an hour to complete if all forms are completed in advance. The second portion is assessment. Assessment may be done by “pen and paper” or on a computer depending upon which assessment is being used.
After the session, the assessments are scored and interpreted, then a report is written combing the information gained during the clinical interview and the results of assessments. Follow-up appointments to discuss results and recommendations are available.*
Court Ordered-If the assessment is court ordered, the results will be sent directly to the requesting entity. I currently work with Denton County and Collin County probation departments, and have experience working with pre-trial needs.
Individual Therapy
Is this the same as “regular therapy”?
Similar to “regular therapy” with a few exceptions regarding confidentiality that you are made aware of before the first session starts. These exceptions include, being able to release information regarding attendance or completion to supervising officers. The content of the conversations follows similar traditional rules of confidentiality, but not exactly the same. This will all be covered in person or on the phone.
Is it really safe to talk to you though, are you going to get me in trouble?
The sessions are absolutely a safe time to talk and the goal is improvement NOT punishment. There are many topics covered in individual sessions–they are not lectures, this is about you and what topics are on your mind. Relationships, work, college, kids, childhood, the future, what led to the current situation, and what future goals are, are just a “few” common topics that get processed. The goal is finding healthy and sustainable (easy to maintain long-term), coping skills that reduce stress and anxiety and increase positive outcomes in life.
“How long will this take to finish?”
The number of sessions varies, sometimes the court has ordered a set number, and other times it is a range. The number depends on the progress-some people need or want more sessions and others meet the goal in a few and do not want more than is “required”
Sessions are 45 minutes long, this meets the requirement for “an hour session” as the additional 15 minutes is used for note writing and administrative purposes.
“Are you going to tell my PO what we talk about?”
Monthly updates are often requested by the court to maintain awareness of progress towards completion of probationary requirements (doing the stuff they asked you to do like attend classes, therapy or group). The monthly update is a great way to show the progress that is being made and positive changes in life-this is an opportunity to “show” the best version of yourself every month in these reports! Don’t waste it! And yes, I will let you know what the report will say if you ask.
“Can I use my insurance?”
I am not accepting insurance currently but plan to mid-2020. Unless there is a stipulation in your orders stating you are not permitted to use insurance, then yes, you would be able to once I start accepting select plans. Details soon!
There is a reduced rate for court ordered sessions.
Substance Abuse Evaluations (SAE) include a clinical interview and self-report assessments and usually take 45 minutes to complete if all forms are completed in advance. After the session, the assessments are scored and interpreted, then a report is written combing the information gained during the clinical interview and the results of assessments.
If the assessment is court ordered, the results will be sent directly to the requesting entity. I currently work with Denton County and Collin County probation departments, and have experience working with pre-trial needs.
Often, reports can be accepted for other counties throughout the state of Texas. Your needs will be discussed during scheduling to ensure the report meets the needs of the requesting party prior to assessment.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding assessment and compliance with your needs by clicking here.
*Tele-health is often available for Substance Abuse Evaluations*
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations include a clinical interview and self-report assessments, sometimes completed on a computer in office. The clinical interview time can vary depending upon the need of the assessment, but often takes less than an hour to complete if all forms are completed in advance. The second portion is assessment. Assessment may be done by “pen and paper” or on a computer depending upon which assessment is being used.
After the session, the assessments are scored and interpreted, then a report is written combing the information gained during the clinical interview and the results of assessments. Follow-up appointments to discuss results and recommendations are available.*
Court Ordered-If the assessment is court ordered, the results will be sent directly to the requesting entity. I currently work with Denton County and Collin County probation departments, and have experience working with pre-trial needs.
Individual Therapy
Is this the same as “regular therapy”?
Similar to “regular therapy” with a few exceptions regarding confidentiality that you are made aware of before the first session starts. These exceptions include, being able to release information regarding attendance or completion to supervising officers. The content of the conversations follows similar traditional rules of confidentiality, but not exactly the same. This will all be covered in person or on the phone.
Is it really safe to talk to you though, are you going to get me in trouble?
The sessions are absolutely a safe time to talk and the goal is improvement NOT punishment. There are many topics covered in individual sessions–they are not lectures, this is about you and what topics are on your mind. Relationships, work, college, kids, childhood, the future, what led to the current situation, and what future goals are, are just a “few” common topics that get processed. The goal is finding healthy and sustainable (easy to maintain long-term), coping skills that reduce stress and anxiety and increase positive outcomes in life.
“How long will this take to finish?”
The number of sessions varies, sometimes the court has ordered a set number, and other times it is a range. The number depends on the progress-some people need or want more sessions and others meet the goal in a few and do not want more than is “required”
Sessions are 45 minutes long, this meets the requirement for “an hour session” as the additional 15 minutes is used for note writing and administrative purposes.
“Are you going to tell my PO what we talk about?”
Monthly updates are often requested by the court to maintain awareness of progress towards completion of probationary requirements (doing the stuff they asked you to do like attend classes, therapy or group). The monthly update is a great way to show the progress that is being made and positive changes in life-this is an opportunity to “show” the best version of yourself every month in these reports! Don’t waste it! And yes, I will let you know what the report will say if you ask.
“Can I use my insurance?”
I am not accepting insurance currently but plan to mid-2020. Unless there is a stipulation in your orders stating you are not permitted to use insurance, then yes, you would be able to once I start accepting select plans. Details soon!
There is a reduced rate for court ordered sessions.
Is this the same as “regular therapy”?
Similar to “regular therapy” with a few exceptions regarding confidentiality that you are made aware of before the first session starts. These exceptions include, being able to release information regarding attendance or completion to supervising officers. The content of the conversations follows similar traditional rules of confidentiality, but not exactly the same. This will all be covered in person or on the phone.
Is it really safe to talk to you though, are you going to get me in trouble?
The sessions are absolutely a safe time to talk and the goal is improvement NOT punishment. There are many topics covered in individual sessions–they are not lectures, this is about you and what topics are on your mind. Relationships, work, college, kids, childhood, the future, what led to the current situation, and what future goals are, are just a “few” common topics that get processed. The goal is finding healthy and sustainable (easy to maintain long-term), coping skills that reduce stress and anxiety and increase positive outcomes in life.
“How long will this take to finish?”
The number of sessions varies, sometimes the court has ordered a set number, and other times it is a range. The number depends on the progress-some people need or want more sessions and others meet the goal in a few and do not want more than is “required”
Sessions are 45 minutes long, this meets the requirement for “an hour session” as the additional 15 minutes is used for note writing and administrative purposes.
“Are you going to tell my PO what we talk about?”
Monthly updates are often requested by the court to maintain awareness of progress towards completion of probationary requirements (doing the stuff they asked you to do like attend classes, therapy or group). The monthly update is a great way to show the progress that is being made and positive changes in life-this is an opportunity to “show” the best version of yourself every month in these reports! Don’t waste it! And yes, I will let you know what the report will say if you ask.
“Can I use my insurance?”
I am not accepting insurance currently but plan to mid-2020. Unless there is a stipulation in your orders stating you are not permitted to use insurance, then yes, you would be able to once I start accepting select plans. Details soon!
There is a reduced rate for court ordered sessions.
