5 Hours / 5 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Competency Restoration in an Inpatient Environment is presented by Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP, in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

This program covers all aspects of inpatient competency restoration. It begins by outlining the current ‘competency crisis’ in this country and proposing solutions to address it. It outlines the essential components of an inpatient competency restoration program, including how those can be individualized to address specific patients’ needs. 

This program addresses often overlooked aspects of restoration programming (particularly with respect to the ability to assist counsel), as well as a variety of other factors (e.g., language, communication, culture, motivation, etc.) that can affect restoration. Finally, a model for reporting writing – both initial evaluations and re-evaluations from a hospital setting – is presented to guide clinicians and evaluators alike in successfully treating and reassessing patients’ capacities.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the current ‘competency crisis’ in this country and three recommendations or solutions to address it
  • 2 Describe the most up-to-date research findings relevant to the restoration of individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial
  • 3 Describe at least three components of inpatient restoration program, including often overlooked aspects related to one’s ability to assist counsel
  • 4 Describe how specific factors related to language, communication, culture/subculture, motivation, etc. can affect restoration of individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial
  • 5 Describe a model for report writing that guides treatment planning for restoration as well as re-evaluation of competency-related capacities
  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals involved in competency restoration and evaluation, with a focus on those specializing in forensic mental health, particularly in competency to stand trial evaluations, restoration programming, and related assessments. The content is especially relevant for individuals engaged in both initial and follow-up evaluations, as well as those coordinating evaluation findings with restoration programming to support a comprehensive approach to treatment and assessment in secure environments.

    Job Titles / Roles

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Forensic Psychiatrist
    • Competency Evaluator
    • Restoration Program Clinician
    • Treatment Provider
    • Clinical Social Worker
    • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in forensic and inpatient settings.

    • Beginner: New to competency restoration or inpatient forensic work; seeking foundational knowledge of the competency crisis, program components, and report writing.
    • Intermediate: Some experience with forensic mental health or inpatient settings; looking to deepen understanding of individualized restoration programming, overlooked factors (e.g., language, culture, motivation), and best practices in evaluation and reporting.
    • Advanced: Extensive experience in forensic or inpatient competency restoration; interested in advanced strategies for program customization, addressing complex patient needs, and contributing to system-level improvements.
  • Practice Setting

    Professionals participating in this training typically work in environments where legal and clinical systems intersect. Their practice settings often include inpatient psychiatric hospitals, forensic units, correctional facilities, and specialized competency restoration programs. These environments are designed to provide comprehensive mental health assessment, treatment, and restoration services to individuals involved in the legal system, particularly those undergoing competency to stand trial evaluations and restoration. The work involves close collaboration with legal professionals, multidisciplinary clinical teams, and often requires navigating complex security protocols and individualized treatment planning for diverse patient populations.

    Examples of Practice Settings

    • State or county forensic psychiatric hospitals
    • Inpatient competency restoration units
    • Correctional mental health facilities (jails or prisons)
    • Secure hospital-based forensic programs
    • Court-affiliated mental health evaluation centers
    • Specialized restoration programs within public or private hospitals
    • Community-based forensic mental health programs with secure components

Presented By

Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP, Psychologist at Whiting Forensic Hospital

Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist employed at Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. There, she oversees the competency restoration service and conducts forensic evaluations – competency, as well as general and sexual violence risk management – for the hospital. She is the Practice Sample Review Chair for the American Board of Forensic Psychology, is the Treasurer for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and previously represented Forensic Psychology on the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology. Dr. Hauser also provides training and consultative services, both nationally and internationally, to practitioners and investigators in the areas of interviewing and credibility assessment, risk / threat assessment, and cognitive bias, as well as competency evaluation and restoration.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • I. Introduction to the Competency Crisis
    Overview of the competency crisis in the United States
    Discussion of the impacts on the justice and mental health systems
    Review of proposed solutions and reforms to address the crisis

  • II. Components of Inpatient Competency Restoration Programs
    Definition and goals of competency restoration
    Essential components of a standard inpatient competency restoration program
    Customization strategies to meet individual patient needs

  • III. Addressing Specific Needs in Restoration Programming
    Importance of supporting the ability to assist counsel
    Integrating considerations for language, communication, and cultural factors
    Addressing motivational aspects and their impact on restoration

  • V. Reporting in Inpatient Competency Restoration
    Best practices for initial evaluation report writing
    Guidelines for conducting and documenting re-evaluations
    Model report structures for hospital settings to ensure clarity and utility in legal contexts

  • VI. Conclusion and Future Directions
    Summary of key points discussed in the training
    Implications for practice and system improvements
    Open discussion on potential future updates to restoration practices

We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.