1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Confabulation and Suggestibility: Clinical, Forensic, and Judicial Considerations is presented by Jerrod Brown. Ph.D.

In this program, participants learn about confabulation and suggestibility within clinical, forensic, and judicial settings through a review of relevant research findings, case law, and clinical case studies. Specifically, the program focuses on the impact of confabulation and suggestibility on mental health assessment and treatment completion, arrest and arraignment, false confessions, testimony, competency to stand trial, and other aspects of the criminal justice system process. This includes an overview of the roles of confabulation and suggestibility in interview and interrogative settings. Participants can expect to better understand the contributing factors, red flag indicators, controversies, and misconceptions of confabulation and suggestibility. The program concludes with a discussion of the potential benefits of routine screening for confabulation and suggestibility among clinical and forensic populations.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe key research findings, statistics, and concepts associated with confabulation and suggestibility
  • 2 Describe a basic understanding of confabulation and suggestibility within clinical, forensic, and judicial settings
  • 3 Describe the challenges that confabulation and suggestibility can present for clinical and forensic professionals
  • 4 Describe basic knowledge of the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales
  • 5 Describe suggestibility and confabulation within interrogation settings
  • 6 Describe the controversies and misconceptions associated with confabulation and suggestibility

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and legal professionals who want to deepen their understanding of how confabulation and suggestibility impact clinical and forensic evaluations. It is especially relevant for those specializing in forensic assessment, clinical evaluation, or legal psychology, and provides practical insights into how suggestibility can affect a defendant’s competence-related abilities. The program is suitable for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in forensic and clinical evaluation.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Attorney
    • Judge
    • Legal Consultant
    • Forensic Evaluator
    • Forensic Expert

  • Experience Level

    This program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who seek to enhance their understanding of confabulation and suggestibility in clinical, forensic, and judicial contexts.

    • Beginner: New to the concepts of confabulation and suggestibility; seeking foundational knowledge of key research findings, terminology, and basic clinical and forensic implications.
    • Intermediate: Familiar with basic concepts; interested in applying knowledge to case law, assessment, and treatment, and understanding challenges and controversies in practice.
    • Advanced: Experienced in clinical or forensic settings; seeking to deepen expertise in complex case analysis, advanced assessment tools (e.g., Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales), and management of confabulation and suggestibility in high-stakes legal contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Practice settings for professionals attending this training typically include environments where clinical, forensic, and legal evaluations are conducted. These settings are often structured, confidential, and may involve collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. Work environments can range from hospitals and mental health clinics to courtrooms and correctional facilities, as well as private practices and government agencies. Professionals in these roles frequently interact with individuals involved in the legal system, conduct assessments, provide expert testimony, and consult on cases where psychological factors impact legal outcomes.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Psychiatric hospitals
    • Outpatient mental health clinics
    • Correctional facilities and jails
    • Courtrooms and judicial chambers
    • Private forensic or clinical psychology practices
    • Law firms specializing in criminal or civil cases
    • Government agencies (e.g., public defender’s office, child protective services)
    • Academic or research institutions focusing on forensic psychology
    • Social service agencies working with justice-involved populations
    • Police departments or law enforcement agencies (consultation/interview settings)

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD Pathways Counseling Center, Inc.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

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.