1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

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

Suggestibility occurs when a person adopts inaccurate yet plausible information as accurate. Although the causes of suggestibility are many and varied, cognitive impairments (e.g., executive function and memory), social deficits (e.g., communication skills and self-esteem), and traumatic life experiences may contribute to the phenomenon. The potential for suggestibility is particularly dangerous in legal settings. Here, self-reported information strongly influences an individual’s capacity to participate in legal processes (e.g., legal decision-making and standing trial). This is troubling because this information is used to charge and convict, perhaps resulting in false confessions and wrongful convictions. To protect against this possibility, this training is intended to increase awareness of suggestibility among criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal professionals. Topics addressed include defining suggestibility, reviewing situational and environmental features that elicit suggestibility, and identifying approaches to minimize suggestibility.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the forensic and legal implications of suggestibility
  • 2
    Describe screening and assessment options for identifying individuals who may be prone to suggestibility
  • 3 Describe questioning techniques that minimize the likelihood of suggestibility

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and legal professionals who want to understand how suggestibility can influence a defendant’s competence and participation in legal processes. It is especially relevant for those specializing in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, legal consulting, and related fields, and is designed to deepen knowledge of how suggestibility impacts competence-related abilities in legal contexts.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Clinical Psychologist
    • Counselor
    • Attorney
    • Legal Consultant
    • Court Personnel

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who work in or interface with criminal justice and forensic settings.

      Beginner: New to the concept of suggestibility in legal contexts; seeking foundational knowledge about its definition, causes, and implications.

  • Practice Setting

    Practice settings for these professionals are typically high-stakes, structured environments where legal and mental health issues intersect. These environments require careful attention to confidentiality, legal standards, and the psychological well-being of individuals involved in legal proceedings. Professionals may conduct assessments, provide expert testimony, consult with legal teams, or support defendants and witnesses throughout legal processes.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals or units
    • Correctional facilities (jails, prisons)
    • Court clinics or mental health diversion programs
    • Private forensic or clinical psychology practices
    • Law firms specializing in criminal or civil litigation
    • Government agencies (e.g., public defender’s office, prosecution, child protective services)
    • Courtrooms (as expert witnesses or court personnel)
    • Community mental health centers with forensic caseloads

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD Pathways Counseling Center, Inc.

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, 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.