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 (AAFP).

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
Presented By

William Foote, PhD, ABPP

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. Dr. Foote has taught courses in Psychology and the Law for the University of New Mexico School of Law and Department of Psychology. He has also served on the adjunct faculty of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Psychiatry and Family Practice services. Dr. Foote has served as an officer in a number of professional organizations. He is a past President of the New Mexico Psychological Association and of APA’s Division 31. He was the Chair of the APA Committee on Legal Issues and of the Committee On Professional Practice and Standards, and served on the Board of Governors of the APA National College. He is a past-president of the American Psychology-Law Society (APA Division 41). He is a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Psychology since 1984.


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  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed 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.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors)
    • Allied professionals (nurses, occupational therapists, case managers)
    • Professionals specializing in forensic psychology or personal injury evaluations

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for mental health professionals at various stages of experience with forensic psychological evaluations in personal injury cases.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic psychology or personal injury evaluations who seek foundational knowledge of tort law, assessment models, and relevant clinical issues.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic or clinical assessment who wish to deepen their understanding of the Five Stage Model, PTSD’s role in tort cases, and methods for evaluating malingering.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience in forensic assessment who are looking to refine their expertise in complex case analysis, advanced assessment techniques, and nuanced application of psychological principles in personal injury contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Format Practice occurs within civil litigation and medico-legal environments that are interdisciplinary, impartial, and documentation-intensive, with work products scrutinized in an adversarial process. Clinicians conduct structured, non-treatment evaluations guided by tort law and staged assessment models, addressing PTSD and response bias, and delivering reports, depositions, and testimony.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private forensic practice or medico-legal clinics
    • Hospital trauma, neuro, or rehabilitation services
    • Independent medical/psychological evaluation (IME) centers and insurer panels
    • Law firm consultations, deposition suites, and civil courts
    • Workers’ compensation and disability evaluation programs
    • Government or public sector forensic services
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 offering high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards on outstanding students and practitioners in forensic psychology.

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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.