How do you know whether the methods you're using in a forensic evaluation will hold up in a legal setting? Can you confidently explain why you chose a particular test? What happens when clinical best practices and legal standards require you to think beyond the way you would approach a traditional evaluation?

In this episode, I discuss the legal guidelines that forensic psychologists need to consider when conducting evaluations. I explore how forensic work differs from traditional clinical practice, including the importance of being able to justify test selection, understand scientific foundations, and apply methods appropriately. I also discuss Frye and Daubert standards, the Federal Rules of Evidence, statutes, and case law, and why understanding the specific legal requirements of each evaluation is essential.

What fundamentally changes when psychological evaluations need to answer a legal question? When the person sitting across from you is not technically your client, how does that reshape your role, responsibilities, and ethical obligations as a psychologist? Why is a diagnosis alone rarely enough? In this episode, I explore the fundamental differences between psychological and forensic evaluations. I discuss how the purpose, client relationship, informed consent, confidentiality, and role of the psychologist all change when an evaluation is conducted within a legal context. I explain why a diagnosis alone rarely answers a psycholegal question, how to determine what information and testing are actually needed, and what it means to apply psychological expertise within a legal framework. Ultimately, forensic evaluation is defined not simply by the tools we use, but by the purpose, role, and framework in which we use them.

In this episode, I explore what it really means to think like a forensic psychologist and the unique tension between psychology and the law. I discuss the challenge of balancing ambiguity with the need for clear answers, why objectivity does not mean eliminating subjectivity, and how we can manage our own biases through alternative hypotheses, disconfirming evidence, consultation, and awareness of our emotional reactions. I also discuss the importance of role clarity when working with difficult material and how remembering that the court, not the psychologist, makes the final decision can help us process the emotional demands of the work.

Do you want to explore the intersection between psychology and the law? Welcome to the Forensic Psychology Podcast! Each episode will explore the science, practice, and business of forensic psychology through practical conversations you won't find in your graduate training.

In this episode, I welcome you to Forensic Psychology 601 and talk about what forensic psychology actually looks like beyond the Hollywood stereotypes. I explain what forensic psychology means, how it differs from clinical work, and why so much of the job involves reviewing records, conducting interviews, integrating information, and applying psychological knowledge to legal questions.

I also share what I believe makes a good forensic psychologist. Strong clinical skills are the foundation, from understanding psychopathology and assessment to conducting effective interviews and making sense of conflicting information. From there, forensic psychologists need to understand the legal frameworks relevant to their work. Finally, I preview what's ahead on the podcast, including forensic assessments, the forensic mindset, testimony, writing for court, navigating the challenges of forensic work, and building a successful forensic psychology practice.

Do you want to explore the intersection between psychology and the law? Welcome to the Forensic Psychology Podcast! Each episode will explore the science, practice, and business of forensic psychology with practical conversations you won't find in your graduate training.

In this first episode, I introduce the Forensic Psychology Podcast and share why I wanted to create a practical resource for people working at the intersection of psychology and the law. I talk about my background in psychological assessment, how that interest led me to forensic psychology, and what I've learned from working in both public and private forensic settings.

I also explain what you can expect from the podcast, from conducting effective forensic evaluations and writing useful reports to handling conflicting information, preparing for testimony, navigating ethical gray areas, and building a successful forensic practice. My goal is to have the practical conversations that often don't happen in graduate training and create a resource that helps psychologists, therapists, and attorneys better understand what forensic work actually looks like.