1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Suggestibility and Confabulation: An Advanced Overview with Implications for Forensic Mental Health and Legal Professionals is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Two distinct distortions are suggestibility and confabulation. Suggestibility is defined as the acceptance of inaccurate information from an external source as truth, which is subsequently integrated into memory. In contrast, confabulation is the generation of new memory to fill an existing gap in memory. Both types of memory distortions can be minor or major in magnitude and caused by individual-level (e.g., cognitive deficits) and environmental-level (e.g., intimidating situations) characteristics. In particular, forensic and legal settings are beset by conditions like repeated and leading questions and tense situations that increase the risk of memory distortions. This program is designed to increase awareness of suggestibility and confabulation among professionals working in forensic and legal settings. Topics covered include defining and distinguishing suggestibility and confabulation, reviewing the etiology of these distortions, and discussing the consequences of suggestibility and confabulation in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the ramifications of suggestibility and confabulation in forensic and legal settings
  • 2 Describe individual-level risk factors (e.g., cognitive and personality) for suggestibility and confabulation
  • 3 Describe best practices for minimizing the risk of suggestibility and confabulation

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and legal professionals who want to understand and address suggestibility and confabulation in forensic and legal contexts. It is ideal for those specializing in evaluating, managing, and mitigating memory distortions that impact forensic evaluations, legal proceedings, and clinical practice. The program provides a comprehensive overview of foundational to advanced concepts, equipping participants to effectively handle issues related to suggestibility and confabulation in their professional roles.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Clinical Psychologist
    • Neuropsychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Attorney or Legal Professional
    • Social Worker or Social Service Professional
    • Correctional or Criminal Justice Professional
    • Health Care Provider in Forensic or Legal Contexts
    • Educator or Professional in Educational Settings Involved in Forensic Mental Health

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at varying levels of experience working in forensic and legal settings.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to the concepts of suggestibility and confabulation, seeking foundational knowledge about memory distortions and their relevance in forensic and legal contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who participate in this training typically work in environments where legal, clinical, and forensic issues intersect. These settings often involve high-stakes decision-making, complex evaluations, and interactions with individuals whose memory accuracy is critical to outcomes. These environments are characterized by multidisciplinary collaboration, exposure to vulnerable populations, and the need to assess, manage, and testify about memory-related issues in legal and forensic contexts.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals conducting competency and criminal responsibility evaluations
    • Courtrooms where expert testimony on memory is provided
    • Correctional facilities assessing inmates’ mental health and memory reliability
    • Law offices preparing witnesses or clients for testimony
    • Outpatient mental health clinics performing forensic assessments
    • Social service agencies involved in child protection or adult guardianship cases
    • Academic or training institutions teaching forensic mental health concepts
    • Police departments or investigative agencies consulting on interview techniques
    • Neuropsychology practices evaluating cognitive and memory functioning in legal cases
Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. 

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 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.