1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on the Assessment of Underreporting and Defensiveness in Psychological Evaluations using the MMPI-2-RF is presented by Martin Sellbom, PhD.

This intermediate-level program discusses the role of the 338-item version of the MMPI-2, the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), in the assessment of underreporting. This program assumes background and basic interpretation knowledge of the MMPI-2-RF and forensic and clinical assessment. The majority of the time is devoted to discussing the MMPI-2-RF Validity scales used for the assessment of underreporting and how these scales can be used as evidence for measuring defensiveness, with a particular emphasis on forensic (risk assessment, family court) and public safety personnel screening evaluations for which such responding is common. Discussion of using MMPI-2-RF comparison groups for this purpose is included. Research supporting the Validity scales’ use for this purpose is discussed. The program ends with case illustrations.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1
    Describe the psychometric findings available to guide MMPI-2-RF interpretation of validity scales assessing underreporting
  • 2 Describe various considerations for using the MMPI-2-RF in the assessment of underreporting and defensiveness
  • 3
    Describe how to use and interpret the MMPI-2-RF underreporting validity scales in the context of evaluating for defensive responding.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge of the MMPI-2-RF, with a particular focus on its application in detecting underreporting and defensiveness. The program is suitable for individuals involved in psychological assessment, forensic evaluation, or public safety personnel screening, and is relevant across a variety of professional environments. Whether you are new to the field or an experienced clinician, this training will enhance your skills in utilizing the MMPI-2-RF for comprehensive and accurate assessments.

  • Experience Level

    This program is suitable for professionals at all stages of their careers who wish to expand their expertise in the use of the MMPI-2-RF.

  • Practice Setting

    • Psychologists and mental health professionals

    • Forensic evaluators

    • Public safety and law enforcement personnel

    • Professionals in criminal justice and correctional settings

    • Healthcare providers involved in psychological assessment

    • Social service agency staff

    • Educational institution counselors and psychologists

    • Human resources professionals involved in personnel screening

Presented By

Martin Sellbom, PhD, PhD

Martin Sellbom is a Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2007 from Kent State University (USA). His research focuses on personality disorders, contemporary psychopathology models, and personality assessment with the MMPI instruments. Professor Sellbom's work has been featured in over 300 publications that includes four books, including the forthcoming (co-authored with Dustin Wygant) Forensic Mental Health Assessments using the MMPI-3. He has won several awards, including the American Psychological Foundation’s Theodore Millon mid-career award for advancing personality science, American Psychology-Law Society’s Saleem Shah Award and Society for Personality Assessment’s Samuel and Anne Beck Award for early career achievement. Professor Sellbom serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Personality Assessment. For his clinical practice, he specializes in forensic psychological evaluations.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Martin Sellbom, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Discuss assessment of underreporting

  • Discuss underreporting and defensiveness

  • Discuss underreporting validity scales

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.