4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Psychological Evaluation of Causation and Damages in Personal Injury Cases is presented by William E. Foote, PhD, ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

This program focuses on how forensic psychologists can approach evaluations in personal injury cases. Beginning with an introduction to tort law, the presenter introduces the Five Stage Model for assessment through a case study. The role of PTSD in many tort cases is explored, as are issues related to assessment.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the elements of a Tort
  • 2 Describe the Five Stage Evaluation Model
  • 3 Describe the conditions which could serve as vulnerabilities to psychological injuries
  • 4 Describe how PTSD symptom structure can inform determination of causation
  • 5 Describe at least two methods for determining malingering in personal injury cases

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who are involved in forensic psychology, with a particular focus on personal injury evaluations. It is suitable for those seeking to expand their expertise in forensic assessment and testimony, including individuals specializing in forensic psychology or personal injury evaluations.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Nurse
    • Occupational Therapist
    • Case Manager

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals seeking foundational knowledge in forensic psychological evaluations for personal injury cases.

    Beginner:
    Participants are new to forensic psychological assessment in personal injury contexts and seek to understand basic concepts such as tort law, the Five Stage Evaluation Model, and the role of PTSD in tort cases. They may have limited or no prior experience conducting forensic evaluations or applying assessment models in legal settings.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who complete this training typically work in environments where mental health intersects with legal and forensic matters, particularly in the context of personal injury cases. These settings require collaboration with legal professionals, conducting psychological assessments, preparing reports, and sometimes providing expert testimony in court. The work environment is often multidisciplinary, involving interaction with clients, attorneys, courts, and other healthcare providers. Settings may be clinical, institutional, or community-based, and often require adherence to both clinical and legal standards.

    • Private forensic psychology practices specializing in personal injury evaluations
    • Hospital-based forensic units or psychiatric departments
    • Outpatient mental health clinics with forensic assessment services
    • Legal consultation firms employing mental health professionals
    • Government agencies (e.g., court clinics, correctional facilities)
    • Rehabilitation centers working with injury or trauma survivors
    • Community mental health centers providing forensic services
    • Academic or research institutions conducting forensic assessment training

Presented By

William E. Foote, PhD, Private Practice

Dr. William E. Foote received his Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1978. He has been in private practice as a forensic psychologist since 1979 and has conducted over 3000 forensic evaluations. Dr. Foote has been a consultant to the Indian Health Service concerning forensic issues. He has consulted with the Albuquerque Police Department and New Mexico State Police in criminal investigations.

View More Programs from this Presenter
William E. Foote, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to tort law

  • The Five Stage Model for assessment + case study

  • The role of PTSD in many tort cases

  • Issues related to assessment

We are proud to partner with

Protect International Risk and Safety Services

Protect International Risk and Safety Services

We are proud to partner with Protect International Risk and Safety Services for this training. Protect International's threat assessment professionals are internationally recognized experts that have developed some of the world's most widely used and best-validated threat assessment tools. Protect International provides services and products related to violence risk assessment and management, also known as threat assessment and management. Protect International services and products include threat assessment training and support, case assessment and management, legal consultation, policy review and development, and program evaluation and research; along with threat assessment manuals, worksheets, licenses, and software applications for those tools.

Learn More About Our Partner

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.