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 want 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, and related fields, and covers best practices, legal and ethical considerations, and practical skills for remote forensic assessment.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, counselors)
    • Forensic psychologists
    • Clinical psychologists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Allied professionals involved in forensic or tele-mental health services
  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with forensic telehealth evaluations.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic evaluations via videoconferencing who seek foundational knowledge of benefits, limitations, ethical considerations, and legal challenges.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience conducting forensic evaluations, looking to deepen their understanding of best practices, platform features, and effective documentation and testimony in telehealth contexts.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience in forensic telehealth evaluations who wish to refine their expertise in complex ethical and legal issues, advanced platform utilization, and nuanced report writing and testimony.
  • Practice Setting

    Professionals conduct remote forensic evaluations in secure, technology-enabled environments using synchronous videoconferencing. Work occurs within privacy-compliant clinical or institutional settings with reliable infrastructure, standardized procedures, and coordination with legal stakeholders, emphasizing rigorous documentation, ethics, and admissibility.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private practices and group clinics delivering teleforensic services
    • Hospital behavioral health departments and academic medical centers
    • Correctional facilities, detention centers, and forensic hospitals
    • Courts, probation/parole, and attorney/medicolegal agencies
    • Community mental health centers and public clinics
    • Veterans Affairs and military behavioral health services
    • Independent medical evaluation (IME) vendors and insurers
    • Dedicated telehealth platforms and virtual care networks

Training Instructors:

Randy Otto, PhD, ABPP

Randy K. Otto, PhD, MLS, joined the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in May 2025, where he serves as Professor and Chief of the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Otto was a member of the faculty at the University of South Florida between 1989 and 2022, and Nova Southeastern University between 2022 and 2025.

David M. Corey, PhD, ABPP

Dr. David Corey is a board certified specialist in both forensic psychology and police and public safety psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, founding president of the American Board of Police & Public Safety Psychology, and current chair of the Specialty Council for Police & Public Safety Psychology.

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).


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.