4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Critical Thinking in Forensic Psychological Evaluation is presented by Terry Kukor, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).

Although each type of forensic psychological evaluation addresses a different and specific question, this program focuses on the decision-making process that cuts across all types of forensic evaluations. Reviewed is research examining clinical decision-making and judgment under uncertainty. Specific critical thinking skills and potential threats to objectivity are discussed in the reasoning process necessary for the practical interpretation and synthesis of data in forensic practice. Special attention is given to the management of bias in forensic evaluation.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe threats to objectivity in forensic evaluation
  • 2 Describe sources of potential decision-making bias
  • 3 Describe strategies to minimize the influence of bias on the objective consideration of diversity
  • 4 Describe factors (e.g., race, culture, sexual orientation) in forensic evaluation
  • 5 Describe possible remedies to minimize the influence of bias

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who conduct psychological assessments to inform legal or judicial decisions, with a particular focus on those specializing in forensic psychology and evidence-based evaluations. It is suitable for individuals at any stage of their career who are involved in providing psychological expertise for legal or judicial processes.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Allied Professional specializing in forensic psychology or psychological assessment

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience in forensic psychological evaluation.

    • Beginner: New to forensic evaluation or with limited experience; seeking foundational knowledge of decision-making processes, objectivity, and bias management in forensic contexts.

    • Intermediate: Some experience conducting forensic evaluations; looking to deepen understanding of research on clinical decision-making, enhance critical thinking skills, and apply strategies to minimize bias.

    • Advanced: Extensive experience in forensic evaluation; interested in refining advanced critical thinking, integrating complex diversity considerations, and implementing sophisticated remedies to address bias in practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who conduct forensic psychological assessments typically work in environments where legal, clinical, and evaluative functions intersect. These settings require a high degree of objectivity, critical thinking, and adherence to ethical and legal standards. Practitioners may operate within public or private sectors, collaborating with legal professionals, courts, correctional facilities, or community agencies. Their workspaces can range from clinical offices to secure forensic units, and often involve both direct client assessment and comprehensive report writing for legal proceedings.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Forensic units within hospitals or psychiatric facilities
    • Private practices specializing in forensic assessment
    • Court clinics or court-appointed evaluation centers
    • Correctional institutions (jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers)
    • Government agencies (e.g., departments of mental health, child protective services)
    • Academic or research institutions conducting forensic evaluations
    • Community mental health centers with forensic services
Presented By

Terry Kukor, PhD, ABPP

Terry Kukor, Ph.D., ABPP, is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. In late 2023 he retired from his salaried position at the Netcare Forensic Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he had held a variety of roles including Director of Forensic Services, Senior Forensic Psychologist, and Training Director for the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology. He is now in independent practice. 

Dr. Kukor has specialized in criminal forensic evaluation for more than 30 years, and has performed or consulted on thousands of criminal forensic psychological evaluations. Dr. Kukor currently serves as an Associate Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. He is a past Co-Chair for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology CE Workshops. In 2016 he was presented the Howard H. Sokolov Forensic Mental Health Leadership Award by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. In 2019 he was recognized with the Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychology Award by AAFP. Passionate about finding ways to improve forensic practice with critical thinking, Dr. Kukor conducts workshops on relevancy focused report writing, sanity evaluations, and critical thinking in forensic assessment.

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Decision-making process that cuts across all types of forensic evaluations

  • Review research examining clinical decision-making and judgment under uncertainty

  • Specific critical thinking skills and potential threats to objectivity are reviewed

  • Special attention is given to the management of bias in forensic evaluation

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).


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.