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
  • 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 specializing in forensic psychology, particularly those focused on ethics and legal compliance, who regularly navigate ethical-legal dilemmas and provide expert psychological services.

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Expert Witness
    • Consultant
    • Evaluator
    • Mental Health Professional
  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals. 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: New to forensic psychology or ethical-legal decision-making; seeking foundational knowledge of laws, rules, ethics codes, and basic decision-making models.
    • Intermediate: Some experience applying ethical standards in forensic settings; looking to deepen understanding of specific guidelines, access to records, and responding to subpoenas.
    • Advanced: Extensive experience in forensic psychology; interested in advanced application of ethical decision-making models, complex legal-ethical dilemmas, and strategies for ongoing professional development.
  • Practice Setting

    Forensic psychologists and related professionals typically practice in environments where legal and psychological systems intersect. These settings require careful navigation of ethical and legal standards, as practitioners often provide expert evaluations, testimony, and consultation in legal matters. Work environments are structured, highly regulated, and may involve collaboration with attorneys, courts, correctional facilities, and law enforcement agencies. Practitioners must manage sensitive information, respond to subpoenas, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving laws and ethical guidelines.

    • Courtrooms and legal offices (providing expert testimony or consultation)
    • Correctional facilities and detention centers (conducting psychological evaluations)
    • Private forensic psychology practices (offering assessments and expert witness services)
    • Government agencies (consulting on policy or conducting evaluations)
    • Hospitals or psychiatric institutions (evaluating competency or risk)
    • Academic or research institutions (teaching, training, or conducting forensic research)

Presented By

Bob Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP, Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist

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. Dr. Stinson worked for 15 years on a forensic unit of an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where he also served on the hospital’s Ethics Committee for a number of years, chairing it for his last two years. Dr. Stinson served as the Chief of Behavioral Health Services for the Ohio Department of Youth Services for over 3 years. Currently, he in private practice, owning a solo and group forensic psychology practice. He provides training and supervision to students, interns, and post-doctoral fellows. He lectures across the country in the areas of mental health law and ethics. In his law practice, he represents professionals as it relates to licensing board issues and related matters.

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Bob  Stinson, PsyD, JD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Decision-making models

  • Ten specific ethics standards & guidelines

  • A discussion of how standards & guidelines apply to forensic psychology and forensic psychologists

  • A discussion around access to records and responding to subpoenas

  • Concrete suggestions for how forensic psychologists can stay abreast of changes in the field of psychology, ethics, and the law

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.

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.