4 Hours / 4 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Using Psychological and Forensic Assessment Instruments with Diverse Populations is presented by Krissie Fernandez Smith, Ph.D., ABPP, in partnership with The American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP). 

In this program, participants learn what factors to consider when determining the appropriate use of psychological tools during forensic assessments with diverse populations. The program builds on the Standards for Education and Psychological Testing and relevant literature to identify a decision-making process that ensures the appropriate selection of tests, so the results inform sound forensic opinions. In addition, the program uses case vignettes to describe ethical dilemmas that can arise from psychological test use within diverse populations.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe guidelines and standards that should inform decisions about test use in forensic assessments with diverse populations
  • 2 Describe how aspects of an evaluee’s personal experiences can impact the results of psychological testing
  • 3 Describe a structured approach that can help determine the appropriate use of a test with a specific evaluee
  • 4 Describe their knowledge of the guidelines and standards to case examples
Presented By

Krissie Fernandez Smith, Ph.D., ABPP

Krissie Fernandez Smith, Ph.D., ABPP has been board certified in forensic psychology since 2017. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology with a forensic emphasis from Sam Houston State University in 2007. Following her graduation, she completed various criminal forensic evaluations while employed at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Michigan. Since 2010, she has worked at the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic where she completes court-ordered evaluations for juvenile justice and child protection proceedings. In 2016, she became the Associate Director of the Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic.  She is an Assistant Professor in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and provides training for their Psychiatry and Law fellowship program. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Forensic Psychology and its examination faculty. 

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who conduct forensic assessments with diverse populations. It is designed for individuals who specialize in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry, or social work, and who have expertise in the ethical and appropriate selection and use of psychological assessment tools.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Forensic psychologists
    • Clinical psychologists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Social workers
    • Allied mental health professionals
    • Mental health professionals

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for mental health professionals at various stages of experience with forensic assessment and psychological test selection in diverse populations.

    • Beginner: Participants new to forensic assessment or psychological test selection will gain foundational knowledge of relevant guidelines, standards, and ethical considerations for diverse populations.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in forensic assessment will deepen their understanding of structured decision-making processes and learn to apply guidelines and standards to complex case vignettes involving diverse populations.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience in forensic assessment will refine their expertise by critically evaluating and integrating empirical literature, standards, and ethical dilemmas into advanced decision-making for test selection with diverse populations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practice in legally oriented, multidisciplinary environments that serve diverse populations and require rigorous, ethically grounded psychological assessment to inform high-stakes decisions. Their work occurs within structured, policy-driven systems where adherence to testing standards, transparent decision-making, and culturally responsive test selection are essential.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Courts (criminal and civil)
    • Correctional facilities (jails, prisons, juvenile detention)
    • State forensic hospitals and competency/restoration programs
    • Medical centers and hospital-based forensic services (including VA/academic)
    • Community mental health agencies with forensic tracks
    • Private practice/independent forensic consultation
    • Child welfare and family court services
We are proud to partner with

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)

We are proud to partner with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) for this training. AAFP is a non-profit organization of board-certified forensic psychologists whose mission is to contribute to the development and maintenance of forensic psychology as a specialized field of study, research, and practice. The Academy does this by providing high-quality continuing education workshops, providing a forum for the exchange of scientific information among its members, and conferring awards upon outstanding students and practitioners in the field of forensic psychology.

Learn More About Our Partner

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.