1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional Training Program on Suggestibility and Trauma in Psycholegal Settings is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Suggestibility is the susceptibility to uncritically accept information, statements, beliefs, and ideas from others as fact. This can lead an individual to develop false memories of events and provide inaccurate information to others. Suggestibility is influenced by several individual and contextual factors. One factor that may increase the risk of suggestibility is a history of trauma. Designed for professionals working in psycholegal settings, this program examines the impact trauma and other forms of adversity have on suggestibility risk. This program focuses on increasing awareness of the impact trauma has on suggestibility and the implications these topics have on criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings. Special emphasis is placed on implications for interviewing and screening of these topics in psycholegal settings. Empirically based research findings and case study examples are highlighted throughout this training. 

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe suggestibility and examine its implications for psycholegal settings
  • 2
    Describe individual and contextual factors that may increase the risk of suggestibility in psycholegal settings
  • 3 Describe how trauma and other forms of adversity can increase suggestibility in psycholegal settings.
  • 4 Describe screening and interviewing considerations
  • 5
    Describe key research findings, statistics, and concepts associated with suggestibility and trauma in psycholegal settings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is for clinicians and allied professionals seeking to understand factors that influence suggestibility. They likely specialize in forensic or legal populations, focusing on the impact of trauma and adversity on memory, reporting, and decision-making. They typically work in forensic, criminal justice, or legal settings.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Forensic settings

    • Criminal justice

    • Legal settings

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, PhD, is the Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., the lead developer of an online Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST) and the Journal of Special Populations (JSP).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Suggestibility
    - Definition and impact of suggestibility on memory and belief formation
    - How suggestibility can lead to false memories and inaccurate information

  • Factors Influencing Suggestibility
    - Individual and contextual factors affecting suggestibility
    - Role of trauma in increasing suggestibility risk

  • Trauma and Suggestibility in Psycholegal Contexts
    - Impact of trauma and adversity on suggestibility
    - Implications for criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings

  • Clinical Implications for Interviewing and Screening
    - Identifying and managing suggestibility risk during interviews and screenings
    - Special considerations for trauma-exposed individuals in psycholegal settings

  • Research Findings and Case Study Applications
    - Review of empirically based research on trauma and suggestibility
    - Case study examples illustrating these issues in psycholegal practice

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.