Evaluations of Mental State at the Time of the Alleged Offense
Presented by: Kimberly Brown, Ph.D., ABPP and Mary Elizabeth Wood, PhD, ABPP
20 Hours / 20 CEs
On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training
This on-demand professional training program on Evaluations of Mental State at the Time of the Alleged Offense is presented by Kimberly Brown, Ph.D., ABPP, Mary Elizabeth Wood, PhD, ABPP.
This program reviews the history and evolution of the insanity defense and criminal responsibility evaluations broadly, with a particular focus on the legal standards for insanity and how to evaluate each element in line with best practices. The presenters discuss relevant ethical standards and guidelines, as well as common pitfalls/errors in criminal responsibility evaluations.
The program guides participants through the process of conducting criminal responsibility evaluations, from start to finish, encompassing the receipt of the initial referral through expert testimony. Discussion focuses on critical considerations regarding the clinical interview, psychological testing, and collateral information, as well as report writing.
This training is designed for mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and related clinicians, who currently work or plan to work in forensic settings.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- 1 Describe and discuss at least three landmark criminal responsibility cases
- 2 Describe the legal standards for insanity
- 3 Describe the literature on insanity defense evaluations and examinees
- 4 Describe best practices for conducting the clinical interview as part of criminal responsibility evaluations
- 5 Describe the relevance and utility of psychological testing in criminal responsibility evaluations
- 6 Describe a process for data collection and opinion formation in criminal responsibility evaluations
- 7 Describe and discuss common errors in criminal responsibility evaluations
- 8 Describe at least three critical elements of a criminal responsibility evaluation report
- 9 Describe relevant ethical issues that arise in the context of criminal responsibility evaluations
Training Instructors:
Mary Elizabeth Wood, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Wood joined the faculty at Sam Houston State University in 2024. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Psychology and the Law from the University of Alabama, where she completed focused coursework, research, and clinical work in forensic psychology. She subsequently completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Forensic Psychology at Patton State Hospital.
Dr. Wood is licensed as a psychologist in Tennessee, Texas, and through PSYPACT. She is also board certified in Forensic Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Kimberly Brown, PhD, ABPP
Kimberly Brown, Ph.D., ABPP is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and is board certified in forensic psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). She earned her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Law from the University of Alabama. She is Director of the Vanderbilt Forensic Evaluation Team, Training Director for the VUMC Forensic Psychology Internship track, lead psychologist in the Department, and is a consultant to the Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology.
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.
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.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
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.