1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): An Advanced Overview with Implications for Forensic Mental Health and Legal Professionals is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged by a blow or penetration from an external force. This could be the result of a range of events, including a car accident, falling and hitting one’s head, or being violently shaken or punched. Research suggests that TBI is over-represented in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings and can present unique challenges and significant management problems for mental health, correctional, and legal professionals. These obstacles are often exacerbated when individuals with TBI are not accurately identified and responsively treated.

In this program, participants can expect to learn about the benefits of routine screening for TBI in criminal justice and legal settings and acquire knowledge about the deficits commonly caused by TBI. Participants also learn about the difficulties of routine screenings for TBI in clinical and forensic populations, along with ways to limit missed, under, and misdiagnosis of TBI. Special topics of discussion include how TBI may contribute to confabulation, competency to stand trial issues, diminished capacity, false confessions, sexually inappropriate behaviors, suggestibility, and the likelihood of victimization during incarceration. Relevant research findings are presented throughout the program.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe key research findings, statistics, and concepts associated with TBI in criminal justice and legal settings
  • 2 Describe screening and assessment options to identify those with TBI who become involved in the criminal justice system
  • 3 Describe best practices for minimizing the consequences associated with TBI in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and legal professionals who want to deepen their understanding of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in forensic and legal contexts. It is especially relevant for professionals whose work requires knowledge of TBI assessment, management, and legal implications in forensic mental health.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Attorney
    • Legal Consultant
    • Judge
    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Neuropsychologist
    • Clinician
    • Criminal Justice Professional
    • Law Enforcement Professional
    • Probation/Parole Professional
    • Health Care Provider (forensic or neuropsychological assessment)
    • Social Service Professional
    • Educational Professional working with justice-involved individuals

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in working with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in criminal justice and legal settings.

      Beginner: New to TBI concepts in forensic or legal contexts; may have limited experience with TBI screening, assessment, or intervention.

  • Practice Setting

    Practice settings for professionals engaging with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in forensic and legal contexts are diverse and often interdisciplinary. These environments typically involve high-stakes decision-making, complex case management, and collaboration across mental health, legal, and correctional systems. Professionals may work in settings where they assess, treat, or advocate for individuals with TBI, often addressing issues such as competency, criminal responsibility, rehabilitation, and risk management. These environments require specialized knowledge of TBI’s impact on behavior, cognition, and legal outcomes, and may involve working with justice-involved individuals, victims, or those at risk of offending.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals and secure treatment facilities
    • Correctional institutions (prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers)
    • Courtrooms and legal offices (criminal, civil, family, or probate courts)
    • Community mental health centers serving justice-involved populations
    • Law enforcement agencies and police departments
    • Probation and parole offices
    • Private forensic or neuropsychological assessment practices
    • Social service agencies supporting individuals with TBI and legal involvement
    • Educational programs for justice-involved youth or adults
    • Hospitals and rehabilitation centers specializing in neuropsychological care

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.