Psychological & Forensic Evaluations: Information for Attorneys
Clinical Evaluations for Legal Matters
Attorneys often need a mental health professional who can do more than identify symptoms. A well-conducted psychological or forensic evaluation should address the specific legal question, place the individual's psychological functioning in context, and clearly communicate the clinical findings in a way that is useful to the court.
A Better Life Therapy provides psychological and forensic evaluations for attorneys, courts, and other professionals seeking an independent clinical assessment.
Our clinicians conduct evaluations with an emphasis on objectivity, thoroughness, and clear communication. We tailor each evaluation to the specific referral question rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Types of Forensic Evaluations
Depending on the clinician's area of expertise and the referral question, evaluations may address matters including:
Family & Custody Matters
Mental health evaluations may be requested in family court when a parent's psychological functioning is relevant to a legal matter. An evaluation may examine areas such as emotional functioning, mental health history, personality characteristics, coping, parenting-related functioning, and other factors relevant to the referral question.
The purpose is not simply to determine whether someone has a diagnosis. Rather, the evaluator considers how the individual's psychological functioning may relate to the specific question being presented.
Domestic Violence & Abuse Evaluations
Psychological evaluations related to allegations or experiences of domestic violence, abuse, coercive control, and trauma. Depending on the referral question, evaluations may examine psychological functioning, trauma-related symptoms, mental health history, and the psychological impact of abuse within the context of family-law proceedings.
Competency & Criminal Matters
Psychological evaluations may be conducted in criminal proceedings to address questions such as competency to stand trial or other psychological issues relevant to a legal proceeding.
The scope of the evaluation is determined by the specific referral question and applicable legal requirements.
Personal Injury & Psychological Damages
Psychological evaluations may be appropriate when an attorney needs an assessment of emotional or psychological symptoms associated with an accident, injury, or traumatic event.
Depending on the referral question, an evaluation may address conditions such as PTSD, adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, and functional impairment.
Immigration-Related Evaluations
Our clinicians also provide psychological evaluations in immigration matters, including hardship, asylum, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, and other immigration-related cases.
These evaluations examine the psychological impact of the individual's experiences and circumstances and provide an independent clinical assessment that can be incorporated into the broader legal case.
Other Forensic & Psychological Evaluations
We may also be able to assist with other psychological or forensic referral questions. Because forensic evaluations are highly dependent on the specific legal issue, attorneys are encouraged to contact us to discuss the referral question before making a referral.
What Attorneys Can Expect
We understand that attorneys need evaluations that are clinically sound and useful to the legal process.
When you refer a client to our practice, we work to:
Clarify the specific referral question before beginning the evaluation
Identify what information and records will be relevant
Review available documentation
Conduct a comprehensive clinical interview
Use psychological assessment tools when clinically appropriate
Consider relevant alternative explanations and contradictory information
Clearly distinguish reported information from clinical findings
Explain diagnoses and psychological symptoms in clinically understandable language
Address the specific referral question rather than providing a generic mental health assessment
Provide a written report documenting the methodology, findings, and conclusions
Communicate with counsel regarding logistical questions throughout the process
We Welcome Consultation Before Referral
Attorneys do not always know exactly what type of psychological evaluation is needed when they first identify a mental health component to a case.
We are happy to consult with attorneys before a referral is made to discuss:
The legal question the evaluation needs to address
Whether a psychological or forensic evaluation is appropriate
What type of evaluation may be most useful
What records should be provided
Potential collateral sources of information
Expected timeline
Estimated cost
Whether the evaluation can be conducted virtually or needs to occur in person
A brief consultation before scheduling can help ensure that the evaluation is appropriately structured from the beginning.
Records & Collateral Information
The information available to an evaluator can significantly affect the scope and quality of an evaluation. Depending on the referral question, attorneys may be asked to provide relevant pleadings, medical or mental health records, prior evaluations, educational records, police or incident reports, or other documentation.
When appropriate, the evaluator may also consider information from collateral sources.
The evaluator will determine what information is clinically relevant based on the purpose and scope of the evaluation.
Reports
Our reports are designed to clearly communicate the clinical information relevant to the referral question.
Reports may include:
Reason for referral
Sources of information
Records reviewed
Relevant personal and psychological history
Clinical interview findings
Mental status findings
Psychological testing, when applicable
Diagnostic impressions, when appropriate
Clinical formulation
Functional impact
Response to the specific referral question
Limitations of the evaluation
Clinical conclusions
The exact structure of the report depends on the type of evaluation and the questions being addressed.
Objectivity & Professional Independence
Forensic evaluation requires a different role than psychotherapy. The evaluator's responsibility is to provide an independent professional opinion based on the information available, rather than to advocate for a particular legal outcome.
Our clinicians understand that a credible evaluation must consider the full picture, including information that may not support the position of the referring party. This commitment to objectivity is central to our approach.
Timelines & Scheduling
Evaluation timelines vary based on the complexity of the case, the amount of documentation requiring review, the need for psychological testing, and clinician availability.
When contacting our office, attorneys are encouraged to provide any relevant court or case deadlines so that we can determine whether the requested timeline is feasible.
Expedited evaluations may be available for an additional fee depending on clinician availability and the complexity of the matter.
Referrals & Consultation
To discuss a potential referral or determine whether one of our clinicians may be appropriate for a particular matter, please contact:
We encourage attorneys to contact us before referring a client when the appropriate type or scope of evaluation is unclear. We can discuss the referral question, anticipated scope of the evaluation, records needed, timeline, and estimated cost.
Where we offer forensic evaluations:
We offer forensic evaluations in person in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and across The United Stated virtually.
Our locations for forensic evaluations include:
Ardmore, pennsylvania
10 East Athens Avenue, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Center City, Pennsylvania
100 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
123 S 22nd St Ste 109, Easton, PA 18042
Fishtown, Philadelphia
1416 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
New Hope, Pennsylvania
580 Union Square Dr, New Hope, PA 18938
Galloway, New Jersey
634 E Lost Pine Way Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205