10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Cultural Considerations in Forensic Assessment is presented by Barry Rosenfeld, PhD, ABPP. This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards various certificates. Enroll to earn credit and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues. This program counts as a foundational program in the certificates:

  1. Criminal Forensic Assessment Certificate
  2. Child Custody Evaluation Certificate
  3. Civil Forensic Assessment Certificate
  4. Juvenile Forensic Assessment Certificate
  5. Violence Risk Assessment Certificate

This program covers a range of issues related to the forensic assessment of individuals from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The last decade has witnessed a surge in awareness of the inherent challenges when applying forensic evaluation techniques to individuals from different cultures. Indeed, the expectation that clinicians maintain an adequate level of “cultural considerations” in both clinical practice and research has never been greater. This program incorporates the ever-growing research literature on culture and forensic assessment and culminates in a number of guidelines for “best practices.” 

The training program begins with relevant background on the construct of “cultural co” and recent legal decisions that have addressed the importance of culturally appropriate assessment techniques. The program topics follow the timeline of a typical evaluation, with a review of issues and solutions that can be implemented prior to the evaluation begins, such as the role of pre-evaluation cultural research and adaptations to traditional procedures for eliciting consent. This is followed by a review of issues and recommendations for conducting the interview itself, including selection and training of translators, identifying culturally unique symptoms or behaviors, and interpretation of observed behaviors and reported symptoms. 

Finally, the program focuses on decision-making regarding psychological testing and the interpretation of test results. Relevant ethical issues related to cross-cultural forensic assessment are integrated throughout the program, as appropriate. Case vignettes are injected throughout the program to highlight relevant issues and techniques and elicit audience participation.


Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the principles of cultural competence in psychological evaluations
  • 2 Describe forms of cultural biases that can impact forensic consultation
  • 3 Describe steps necessary before evaluating individuals of diverse cultural background
  • 4 Describe how to train and utilize interpreters in forensic assessment
  • 5 Describe assessment and interview data in culturally diverse settings
  • 6 Describe appropriate and inappropriate psychological tests that can be used with individuals of particular cultural backgrounds.
  • 7 Describe ethical standards to their cross-cultural assessment practice

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who conduct forensic evaluations, with a focus on those specializing in forensic psychology, cross-cultural assessment, or clinical work with diverse populations. It is relevant for individuals who work with diverse clients and are involved in forensic assessment or related clinical practice.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Allied Professional involved in forensic evaluations
    • Specialist in forensic psychology or cross-cultural assessment
    • Clinician working with diverse populations

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    • Beginner: New to forensic assessment or cultural considerations; seeking foundational knowledge of cultural competence, bias, and ethical standards in evaluations.
    • Intermediate: Some experience with forensic assessment; looking to deepen skills in adapting procedures, utilizing interpreters, and applying research to practice with diverse populations.
    • Advanced: Extensive experience in forensic or cross-cultural assessment; aiming to refine best practices, address complex ethical dilemmas, and contribute to evolving standards in the field.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who participate in this training typically work in environments where forensic mental health assessments are conducted with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. These settings may include public and private forensic clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, court systems, community mental health centers, and private practices. The work environment is often multidisciplinary, involving collaboration with legal professionals, interpreters, and other allied health providers. Practitioners may conduct evaluations in secure settings, outpatient offices, or remotely via telehealth, and frequently encounter clients from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. The setting requires sensitivity to cultural differences, adherence to ethical standards, and the ability to adapt assessment procedures to ensure fairness and accuracy.

    • Forensic mental health units within hospitals or psychiatric facilities
    • Court clinics or court-appointed evaluation centers
    • Correctional institutions (jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers)
    • Community mental health agencies serving diverse populations
    • Private practices specializing in forensic or cross-cultural assessment
    • Government agencies (e.g., child protective services, immigration services)
    • Academic or research institutions conducting forensic evaluations
    • Telehealth platforms providing remote forensic assessment services

Presented By

Barry Rosenfeld, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University

Barry Rosenfeld is a Professor of Psychology and Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University. He is currently the President of the American Psychology-Law Society and past president of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services. Dr. Rosenfeld has published more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters addressing a wide range of topics in psychology and law, including malingering, violence risk assessment, and cross-cultural issues in forensic assessment. He is also board certified in forensic psychology and conducts evaluations in both civil and criminal forensic settings, including individuals in diverse cultural settings both within and outside of the U.S.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Barry Rosenfeld, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Discuss a range of issues related to the forensic assessment of individuals from diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds

  • Review ever-growing research literature on culture and forensic assessment and culminates in a number of guidelines for “best practices”

  • Decision-making regarding psychological testing and the interpretation of test results

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

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.