3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on MMPI-2-RF (Restructured Form) in Forensic Psychological Evaluations is presented by Martin Sellbom, Ph.D.

This introductory-level program discusses the role of the 338-item version of the MMPI-2, the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) to psychologists working in forensic settings. The rationale for and methods used to develop the MMPI-2-RF, the various materials available to score and interpret the test, and the psychometric functioning of its scales are covered. The majority of the time is devoted to applications of the MMPI-2-RF in both criminal (e.g., competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, risk assessment) and civil (e.g., parental capacity) forensic evaluations, with case illustrations for each psycho-legal question being emphasized. This section also includes a brief discussion on how to defend MMPI-2-RF opinions in court for general purposes of use, with an emphasis on Daubert and Frye's challenges.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the rationale for and methods used to develop the MMPI-2-RF
  • 2 Describe the psychometric findings available to guide MMPI-2-RF interpretation in forensic settings
  • 3 Describe how to defend MMPI-2-RF opinions in court for general purposes of use
  • 4 Describe how to use the MMPI-2-RF in various types of forensic psychological evaluations

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in forensic psychological assessment, with a particular focus on the MMPI-2-RF. It is designed for those who conduct evaluations related to competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, risk assessment, or civil matters such as parental capacity. The program is relevant for individuals involved in forensic psychology, court-ordered assessments, and those aiming to enhance their understanding and application of psychological assessment tools in forensic contexts.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Clinical Psychologists
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Court-Appointed Evaluators
    • Criminal Justice Practitioners
    • Social Service Assessors
    • Security Consultants
    • Human Resources Professionals involved in psychological assessment

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with forensic psychological assessment and the MMPI-2-RF.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic assessment or the MMPI-2-RF who seek foundational knowledge about its development, structure, and basic applications in forensic settings.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic psychological evaluations who wish to deepen their understanding of MMPI-2-RF psychometrics, interpretation, and application in both criminal and civil cases, including defending opinions in court.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply these skills in legally oriented, high-stakes environments where psychological evaluations guide criminal and civil decisions. Work typically occurs in secure or clinical settings within multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing standardized assessment, report writing, and courtroom testimony under Daubert/Frye standards.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Forensic hospitals and secure psychiatric units
    • Jails, prisons, and detention centers
    • Court clinics and court-appointed evaluation services
    • Community mental health programs serving court-ordered clients
    • Private forensic practices and independent evaluation services
    • Child protection and family court services
    • Civil litigation/IME and disability evaluation services
    • Law enforcement/public safety pre-employment units
    • Security and risk management consultancies
    • Corporate HR departments conducting psychological assessments

Presented By

Martin Sellbom, PhD Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University

Martin Sellbom is a Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2007 from Kent State University (USA). His research focuses on personality disorders, contemporary psychopathology models, and personality assessment with the MMPI instruments. Professor Sellbom's work has been featured in over 300 publications that includes four books, including the forthcoming (co-authored with Dustin Wygant) Forensic Mental Health Assessments using the MMPI-3. He has won several awards, including the American Psychological Foundation’s Theodore Millon mid-career award for advancing personality science, American Psychology-Law Society’s Saleem Shah Award and Society for Personality Assessment’s Samuel and Anne Beck Award for early career achievement. Professor Sellbom serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Personality Assessment. For his clinical practice, he specializes in forensic psychological evaluations.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Martin Sellbom, PhD

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.