Forensic, Occupational & Mental Health Evaluations in South Jersey
Professional Psychological and Mental Health Evaluations by Deirdre Cosgrove, LMFT
When an employment decision, professional opportunity, legal matter, or significant life event requires a mental health evaluation, it is important to work with a clinician who brings both clinical experience and specialized evaluation training.
At A Better Life Therapy, Deirdre Cosgrove, LMFT, provides professional mental health and forensic evaluations for individuals, employers, attorneys, and organizations. Her evaluation services include return-to-work assessments, Peace Corps mental health evaluations, and specialized mental health evaluations related to trauma, including traumatic childbirth and birth-related psychological injuries.
Deirdre combines more than a decade of clinical experience with specialized training in forensic evaluation, trauma treatment, and perinatal mental health. She approaches evaluations with professionalism, attention to detail, and an understanding of the importance of providing clear, clinically grounded documentation.
Evaluations are available in person at our Galloway, New Jersey office in South Jersey and through telehealth when clinically and legally appropriate.
Not sure whether we offer the type of evaluation you need? Reach out. Our team can learn more about your situation, clarify the requirements, and help determine whether Deirdre is an appropriate evaluator for your needs.
Meet Your Evaluator: Deirdre Cosgrove, LMFT
Deirdre Cosgrove is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than a decade of experience treating individuals, couples, and families. She holds a Master's degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University, with a concentration in sex therapy.
Her clinical background includes extensive work with trauma, early childhood experiences, relationship concerns, postpartum mental health, and significant life transitions. She has pursued additional specialized education in forensic evaluation, trauma treatment, and perinatal mental health.
Her education and training include:
Forensic Evaluation Training: Training through the National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE).
EMDR Training: Certificate of Completion through the Maiberger Institute.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Training through the Syzygy Institute, including IFS for EMDR Therapists.
Perinatal Mental Health: Specialized education through Postpartum Support International in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Gottman Method: Level 1 and Level 2 training in couples therapy.
Clinical Supervision: Approved AAMFT Supervisor and Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Deirdre's clinical experience and additional training inform her approach to evaluations involving psychological functioning, trauma, emotional well-being, and the effects of significant life experiences.
Types of Evaluations Offered
Return-to-Work and Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations
Returning to work after a medical leave, mental health concern, workplace incident, or significant period of personal difficulty can involve important questions about an individual's current functioning and ability to resume professional responsibilities.
Deirdre provides occupational mental health evaluations for individuals who have been asked by an employer, human resources department, or other referring professional to undergo an independent evaluation before returning to work.
Depending on the referral question, an evaluation may explore:
Current emotional and psychological functioning
Mental health history and relevant treatment
Symptoms that may affect workplace functioning
Ability to manage the responsibilities and demands of a particular position
Relevant stressors or circumstances surrounding the leave
Recommendations regarding return-to-work planning, when clinically appropriate
A return-to-work evaluation is different from a routine therapy appointment or a note from a treating therapist. The purpose is to conduct an independent assessment addressing the specific questions raised by the employer or referring party.
Important: Before scheduling, we encourage individuals to obtain their employer's written evaluation requirements. Some employers or occupational policies require a particular professional license or evaluator credential. We will review those requirements to determine whether Deirdre is an appropriate evaluator for the requested assessment.
Peace Corps Mental Health Evaluations
Individuals applying to the Peace Corps may be asked to complete additional mental health documentation or undergo a psychological evaluation as part of the medical clearance process.
These requests can arise when an applicant has a history of mental health treatment, a prior diagnosis, medication use, or other psychological or emotional concerns that require further assessment.
Deirdre provides Peace Corps-related mental health evaluations to help applicants document their mental health history, current functioning, treatment experiences, and relevant clinical information.
Depending on the Peace Corps' request, an evaluation may include:
Review of relevant mental health and medical history
Review of treatment records and medication history, when applicable
Clinical interview and assessment of current psychological functioning
Exploration of coping skills, emotional regulation, and available support systems
Assessment of relevant symptoms and their impact on daily functioning
A written report addressing the specific questions outlined in the Peace Corps request
We understand that Peace Corps applicants may be working within important application and clearance deadlines. Our team can review the documentation you have received and discuss appointment availability and report timelines before scheduling.
If you have received a specific request from the Peace Corps, please send it to our office when inquiring so we can determine what type of evaluation and documentation will be needed.
Please note that completing an evaluation does not guarantee medical clearance or acceptance into the Peace Corps. Clearance decisions are made by the Peace Corps based on its own requirements and review process.
Birth Trauma and Perinatal Mental Health Evaluations
Childbirth can be a profound experience, but for some individuals, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period involve frightening, overwhelming, or traumatic events that have lasting psychological effects.
Some individuals experience significant emotional distress following an unexpected medical complication, emergency delivery, perceived or experienced mistreatment, serious injury, or other difficult birth-related circumstances.
Deirdre has specialized training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International, in addition to her background in trauma-informed care and EMDR. This clinical foundation informs her work with individuals experiencing the psychological effects of traumatic childbirth and other perinatal experiences.
A birth trauma psychological evaluation may be appropriate for individuals seeking clinical documentation of psychological injuries following a traumatic birth experience. These evaluations may also be relevant to attorneys handling medical malpractice, birth injury, or other birth-related legal matters.
Depending on the referral questions, an evaluation may explore:
The individual's pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experiences
Psychological symptoms following the birth experience
Symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional concerns
The impact of the experience on daily functioning, relationships, parenting, and quality of life
Relevant mental health history and prior treatment
The relationship between the reported birth experience and current psychological symptoms
Clinical recommendations and treatment needs, when appropriate
For attorneys, an independent psychological evaluation can provide clinical documentation of the emotional and psychological impact reported by a client following a traumatic childbirth experience.
These evaluations may be relevant in cases involving allegations of medical negligence, birth injuries, or other circumstances in which psychological harm is part of the legal claim.
The scope of each evaluation is determined by the referral questions, the evaluator's professional qualifications, and the available information. A psychological evaluation addresses mental health and psychological functioning; it does not independently determine medical negligence, obstetric standard of care, or medical causation.
Other Mental Health and Forensic Evaluations
Not every evaluation falls neatly into one category. Individuals, attorneys, employers, and other professionals may need a mental health assessment for a specific legal, occupational, or personal circumstance.
If you need an evaluation related to psychological functioning, trauma, emotional distress, or another mental health concern, we encourage you to contact our office.
We can review the purpose of the evaluation, the questions that need to be addressed, and any requirements provided by an employer, attorney, court, or other referring organization.
If Deirdre is not the appropriate evaluator for a particular referral, our team can help determine whether another clinician or evaluation service at A Better Life Therapy may be a better fit.
What to Expect During a Mental Health or Forensic Evaluation
A psychological or forensic evaluation is different from ongoing therapy. The goal is to provide a focused, independent assessment that addresses specific questions about an individual's mental health, psychological functioning, or relevant experiences.
Although the exact process varies by evaluation type, most assessments involve several components.
1. Initial Consultation and Review of Requirements
The first step is understanding why the evaluation is needed.
Our team will ask about the purpose of the assessment, who requested it, any relevant documentation, and whether there are specific deadlines.
For employer- or attorney-requested evaluations, we may ask for the referral questions or written instructions so that the evaluation can be appropriately structured.
2. Review of Relevant Records
Depending on the type of evaluation, Deirdre may review relevant documents before or during the assessment.
These may include:
Medical and mental health records
Treatment summaries
Employer or human resources documentation
Peace Corps evaluation requests and forms
Legal or attorney-provided documentation
Other records relevant to the referral question
Record review helps provide a more complete understanding of the individual's circumstances.
3. Clinical Interview and Assessment
The evaluation generally includes a comprehensive clinical interview exploring the individual's history, current circumstances, symptoms, and relevant experiences.
Topics may include personal and family history, medical and mental health history, occupational or educational functioning, significant life events, and the specific concerns that led to the evaluation.
Depending on the referral question, additional assessment measures may be used when appropriate.
4. Clinical Analysis and Report Preparation
Following the interview and record review, Deirdre will analyze the available information and prepare a written report addressing the referral questions.
The report may include relevant background information, clinical findings, assessment results when applicable, and professional conclusions or recommendations within the scope of the evaluation.
5. Coordination with the Referring Party
When appropriate and with the necessary authorization, we can communicate with an employer, attorney, or other referring professional regarding the evaluation process and report.
Our goal is to provide clear, professional documentation that addresses the purpose of the assessment.
Evaluations for Attorneys, Employers, and Organizations
A Better Life Therapy works with individuals as well as professionals who need qualified mental health evaluators for specific referral questions.
For attorneys: We welcome inquiries from attorneys handling personal injury, birth injury, medical malpractice, and other matters in which psychological functioning or emotional harm may be relevant. We can discuss the referral question, records needed, report expectations, and anticipated timeline.
For employers and HR professionals: We can discuss return-to-work and occupational mental health evaluation requests, including the specific questions that need to be addressed and the professional qualifications required by the organization.
For individuals: If you have been told that you need a psychological evaluation for employment, Peace Corps clearance, or another purpose, you can contact us directly. We can help you understand what information is needed before scheduling.
In-Person Evaluations in Galloway, NJ and Telehealth
Deirdre offers in-person evaluations at A Better Life Therapy's Galloway office in South Jersey.
A Better Life Therapy – Galloway, NJ
634 E Lost Pine Way Rd
Galloway, NJ 08205
Phone: 267-838-0066
Our office is conveniently located for individuals traveling from Atlantic County and surrounding South Jersey communities, including Atlantic City, Absecon, Egg Harbor Township, and nearby shore communities.
Telehealth evaluations are also available when clinically and legally appropriate for individuals located in states where Deirdre is licensed to practice. Please contact our office to confirm whether your location and the type of evaluation you need are eligible for telehealth.
Not Sure Which Evaluation You Need? We Can Help.
It is not always clear what type of evaluation an employer, attorney, or organization is requesting. Sometimes a person is simply told that they need a psychological assessment without receiving much additional information.
You do not need to know exactly what to ask for before contacting us. Send us an email and we can help.
Our team can review the information you have received, help clarify the purpose of the evaluation, and determine whether Deirdre or another clinician at A Better Life Therapy may be able to assist.
If you have a deadline, please let us know when you reach out so we can discuss scheduling and report preparation timelines.
Schedule an Evaluation with Deirdre Cosgrove, LMFT
Whether you need a return-to-work evaluation, a Peace Corps mental health assessment, or a specialized psychological evaluation related to birth trauma, A Better Life Therapy can help you understand the next steps.
Contact our office to discuss your evaluation needs, documentation requirements, and available appointment times.
A Better Life Therapy
Galloway, New Jersey | Telehealth when appropriate
Email: info@abetterlifetherapy.com
Phone: 267-838-0066
We welcome inquiries from individuals, attorneys, employers, and other professionals seeking experienced mental health evaluation services.