6 Hours / 6 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

The on-demand professional training program on DSM-5: Developments for Forensic Applications is presented by Christina Pietz, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Board of Forensic Psychology.

This program provides an overview of the changes made in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), with special attention to how these changes impact psychologists’ work in forensic matters. Also discussed are more general problems that can result from including diagnoses in reports summarizing forensic psychological examinations. Participants review reports for the purpose of discussing how changes in the DSM may affect their forensic opinions.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the changes made in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
  • 2 Describe how these changes impact psychologists’ work in forensic matters
  • 3 Describe problems that can result from including diagnoses in reports
  • 4 Describe the rationale and process for revisions from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5, including the shift to a dimensional approach in select diagnostic categories
  • 5 Describe changes to specific diagnostic criteria for major mental disorders relevant to forensic assessment

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for psychologists who specialize in forensic psychology, particularly those involved in the assessment and reporting of mental health diagnoses for legal or court-related purposes. It is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in psychological evaluation and legal report writing.

    • Psychologist
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Mental Health Professional

  • Experience Level

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

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic psychological assessment or recent changes in the DSM-5, seeking foundational knowledge of diagnostic revisions and their implications for forensic work.
    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic assessment and familiarity with previous DSM editions, aiming to deepen their understanding of DSM-5 changes and their impact on forensic reporting.
    • Advanced: Participants with extensive forensic experience and prior training in DSM revisions, looking to critically evaluate and integrate DSM-5 updates into complex forensic cases and report writing.

  • Practice Setting

    Forensic psychologists and related mental health professionals typically practice in environments where legal and psychological expertise intersect. These settings require careful assessment, documentation, and communication of mental health findings for use in legal proceedings. The work environment is often structured, confidential, and may involve collaboration with legal professionals, law enforcement, and court systems. Practitioners may conduct evaluations in secure facilities, private offices, or courtrooms, and are responsible for preparing detailed reports that inform legal decisions.

    • Court clinics or forensic assessment units within hospitals
    • Private practices specializing in forensic evaluations
    • Correctional facilities or juvenile detention centers
    • Government agencies (e.g., departments of mental health, public defender’s offices)
    • Academic or research institutions with forensic psychology programs
    • Consulting roles for law firms or courts

Presented By

Christina Pietz, PhD, ABPP, Forensic Psychologist at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners

Christina A. Pietz, PhD, ABPP, is a Forensic Psychologist at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, MO, and at Burrell Behavioral Health. She has completed psychological evaluations for federal courts throughout the United States, and she has testified as an expert witness in federal court, state court, and military court. Dr. Pietz is also Director of Forensic Training at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology and Past President of the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Currently, she serves on the American Board of Psychology Board of Trustees as the representative for the American Board of Forensic Psychology.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Christina Pietz, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Review changes made in the latest version of the DSM

  • Discuss general problems that can result from including diagnoses in forensic reports

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.