4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Ethics in Forensic Psychology is presented by Bob Stinson, PsyD, ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology.

The program begins with an overview of the distinctions between laws, rules, and ethics codes. With that in mind, decision-making models are presented that can be used in one’s practice when confronted with an ethical-legal dilemma. Following that, ten specific ethical standards and guidelines are addressed with a discussion of how each applies to forensic psychology and forensic psychologists. There is then a discussion around access to records and responding to subpoenas. Finally, the program concludes with concrete suggestions for how forensic psychologists can stay abreast of changes in the field of psychology, ethics, and the law.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe two ethical decision making models and an integrated model
  • 2 Describe at least five (of the ten covered) specific ethical standards or guidelines and describe how each applies to forensic psychology
  • 3 Describe who generally does and does not have a right to access forensic records
  • 4 Describe a plan for responding to subpoenas
  • 5 Describe at least three ways to stay up-to-date
Presented By

Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP

Bob Stinson, Psy.D., J.D., LICDC-CS, ABPP, is a board-certified forensic psychologist, an attorney at law, and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor – clinical supervisor. Dr. Stinson is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) and a Diplomate in forensic psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). He serves on the faculty of the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP). Dr. Stinson is a Past-President of the Central Ohio Psychological Association, the Ohio Psychological Association (OPA), and AAFP. He is a long-time member and past-Chair of the OPA Ethics Committee. Dr. Stinson has been an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology, an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Ohio State University Department of Psychology, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. 


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  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for forensic psychologists who seek to strengthen their understanding of ethical and legal standards in their practice. It is intended for professionals who specialize in forensic psychology, with a focus on navigating ethical-legal dilemmas and providing expert psychological services in compliance with relevant guidelines.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Expert Witnesses
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychological Evaluators
    • Court-Appointed Psychologists
    • Correctional Psychologists

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at varying levels of experience in forensic psychology, ethics, and legal standards.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to forensic psychology or ethical-legal decision-making and seek foundational knowledge of laws, rules, ethics codes, and practical models for ethical dilemmas.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with forensic practice and ethical standards, and are looking to deepen their understanding of specific guidelines, record access, and effective responses to subpoenas.

  • Practice Setting

    These professionals practice in legally regulated, high-stakes environments where psychological services intersect with the justice system. Their work centers on evaluations, consultation, expert opinions, and careful handling of records and subpoenas while adhering to laws, rules, and ethics codes.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Criminal and civil courts
    • Forensic inpatient units/state psychiatric hospitals
    • Correctional facilities (jails and prisons)
    • Court clinics and pretrial services
    • Juvenile justice centers
    • Government agencies (probation, parole, attorney general)
    • Private forensic practices/evaluation centers
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 Statement

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.