4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Conducting Forensic Evaluations Using Videoconferencing Technology is presented by David M. Corey, Ph.D., ABPP & Randy Otto, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

The term “telehealth” has been in the lexicon for over a quarter of a century, and the delivery of therapeutic services has increased significantly during this time. But only recently have psychologists and psychiatrists routinely conducted forensic evaluations remotely, typically employing synchronous videoconferencing technology.

This program addresses a number of issues surrounding the conduct of forensic psychological and psychiatric evaluations via videoconferencing technology. Benefits and limitations of conducting forensic evaluations via teleconferencing, advantages, and disadvantages of platform features, general evaluation practices, psychological testing practices, relevant practice guidelines, specific ethical issues, possible legal challenges, and how to document and communicate about the use of this technology in forensic reports and testimony.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe a minimum of six benefits and six limitations of conducting forensic psychological and psychiatric evaluations using videoconferencing technology
  • 2 Describe five best practices relevant to conducting forensic evaluations using videoconferencing technology
  • 3 Describe a minimum of four ethical obligations that are particularly applicable to and shape how forensic evaluations should be conducted when using videoconferencing technology
  • 4 Describe and effectively respond to legal challenges most likely encountered when conducting forensic evaluations using videoconferencing technology

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who wish to develop or enhance their expertise in conducting forensic psychological and psychiatric evaluations via telehealth. It is relevant for those specializing in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry, or providing tele-mental health services, and covers best practices, legal and ethical considerations, and practical skills for remote forensic assessment.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Clinical Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Allied Professional involved in forensic or tele-mental health services

  • Experience Level

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

    Beginner:
    New to conducting forensic psychological or psychiatric evaluations via videoconferencing; limited familiarity with relevant ethical, legal, and technological considerations.

    Intermediate:
    Some experience with telehealth or forensic evaluations; seeking to deepen understanding of best practices, ethical obligations, and legal challenges specific to videoconferencing.

    Advanced:
    Extensive experience conducting forensic evaluations, including via videoconferencing; interested in advanced strategies for addressing complex ethical and legal issues, optimizing technology use, and enhancing documentation and testimony.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals conducting forensic psychological and psychiatric evaluations via telehealth typically work in secure, private office environments—either within clinics, hospitals, private practices, or remotely from home offices. These settings are equipped with reliable internet access, HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing platforms, and necessary technology to ensure confidentiality and effective communication. The environment is structured to support privacy, minimize distractions, and facilitate the accurate observation and assessment of clients. Practitioners may interact with clients, legal professionals, and other stakeholders across various jurisdictions, often coordinating with correctional facilities, courts, or community agencies.

    • Private practice offices adapted for telehealth services
    • Hospital or clinic-based telepsychiatry suites
    • Home offices with secure, encrypted technology
    • Correctional facility telehealth rooms
    • Community mental health centers with telehealth capabilities
    • Legal or court-affiliated consultation rooms equipped for remote evaluations

Presented By

Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP

Randy Otto, Ph.D., ABPP is an Associate Professor in the NSU Department of Clinical and School Psychology. Previously, he was a faculty member in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy at the University of South Florida, where he served for 33 years. Dr. Otto was awarded doctoral and master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Florida State University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester. Dr. Otto’s research and writing focus on forensic psychological assessment. He has developed two psychological tests that are used in forensic assessment settings, and he has authored and edited books on forensic psychological evaluation, expert testimony and report writing, ethics in forensic psychology practice, assessment of trial competence, violence risk assessment and Florida mental health law. Dr. Otto has served as president of the American Psychology-Law Society, the American Board of Forensic Psychology, and the Board of Trustees of the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 41) and has received awards for his professional contributions from the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, the American Psychology-Law Society, the Society for Personality Assessment, the New York State Psychological Association, the University of Nebraska, and the University of California, San Francisco. He currently serves as Executive Director of the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Otto shares that his daughter is continually amazed that some are actually willing to pay to hear him speak, when she regularly volunteers to pay to have him shut up. When not at work or with his wife and daughter, Dr. Otto is likely to be found at a poker table or on a motorcycle.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP

Presented By

David M. Corey, PhD, ABPP, Psychologist

David M. Corey, Ph.D., ABPP is a licensed psychologist with nearly 40 years of experience performing high-stakes evaluations of candidates and employees in public safety positions (e.g., police officers, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, federal law enforcement personnel) and other safety-sensitive positions, including physicians, nurses, and pilots. He is the founding president of the American Board of Police & Public Safety Psychology, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Division 18). He is an ABPP board certified specialist in both forensic psychology and in police and public safety psychology.

View More Programs from this Presenter
David M. Corey, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Issues in evaluations

  • Benefits and limitations of evaluations

  • Ethical and legal challenges

  • Report and testimony

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.

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.