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. 

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

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who conduct forensic assessments with diverse populations. Participants are typically specialists in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry, or social work, and possess expertise in the ethical and appropriate selection and use of psychological assessment tools.

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Clinical Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Allied Mental Health Professional
    • Mental Health Professional

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in forensic assessment and psychological test use with diverse populations.

    • Beginner: New to forensic assessment or psychological test selection; seeking foundational knowledge of relevant guidelines, standards, and ethical considerations for diverse populations.
    • Intermediate: Some experience conducting forensic assessments; familiar with basic standards and guidelines; seeking to deepen understanding of structured decision-making processes and application to complex cases.
    • Advanced: Extensive experience in forensic assessment; proficient in applying standards and guidelines; seeking advanced strategies for addressing nuanced ethical dilemmas and integrating empirical literature into practice with diverse populations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who conduct forensic assessments with diverse populations typically work in environments where legal, clinical, and social systems intersect. These settings require collaboration with courts, attorneys, correctional facilities, hospitals, community agencies, and private practices. The work often involves evaluating individuals involved in legal proceedings, providing expert testimony, and preparing comprehensive reports. Practitioners must navigate complex ethical, cultural, and legal considerations while ensuring the appropriate use of psychological assessment tools. Examples of practice settings:

    • Court clinics or forensic evaluation units within the judicial system
    • State or federal correctional facilities
    • Psychiatric hospitals or secure mental health units
    • Community mental health centers with forensic services
    • Private practices specializing in forensic assessment
    • Academic medical centers or university-affiliated clinics
    • Child advocacy centers or agencies serving vulnerable populations
    • Government agencies (e.g., departments of mental health, social services)
    • Consultation roles for law enforcement or legal teams

Presented By

Krissie Fernandez Smith, PhD, ABPP, Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Krissie Fernandez Smith, PhD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Review factors to consider when determining the appropriate use of psychological tools during forensic assessments with diverse populations

  • Identify a decision-making process that ensures the appropriate selection of tests based on empirical literature and relevant standards.

  • Use case vignettes to discuss ethical dilemmas.

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).



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.