Beyond a Buzzword: “Trauma-Informed” Forensic Mental Health Assessment: Implications for Knowledge Base, Interviewing, and Case Formulation
3 Hours | 3 CEs
This on-demand professional training program on Beyond a Buzzword: “Trauma-Informed” Forensic Mental Health Assessment and Implications for Knowledge, Procedures, and Formulation is presented by Julie Goldenson, PhD.
This program focuses on integrating trauma-informed practices into assessment referrals across criminal and civil contexts. Participants explore the significance of trauma in various assessment referrals, understanding its relevance and impact. The program covers the differentiation between Type I and Type II trauma, providing a review of the literature on the biopsychosocial effects of chronic (Type II) trauma exposure.
Participants learn to conduct trauma-informed assessments by examining recent literature (Goldenson, Brodsky & Perlin, 2022; Goldenson, 2024; Goldenson & Bailey, 2024). This includes discussing the importance and limitations of trauma screening and reviewing various measures. The program emphasizes process-related considerations such as transparency, informed consent, attunement to non-verbal behavior and altered states of arousal, and appropriate pacing of interviews. Additionally, it addresses navigating the tensions around empathy and compassion within forensic contexts.
The program also covers the diagnostic formulation of trauma, including the ICD-11 definition of complex trauma. Finally, it highlights the emotional toll of trauma-related work, its potential impact on assessment quality, and the importance of self-awareness and consultation.
This program is intended for professionals at all stages of their career. The material is germane to professionals conducting forensic mental health assessments for civil or criminal purposes in inpatient, correctional, or outpatient settings.
Intended Audience
This on-demand professional training program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals
Experience Level
This on-demand professional training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.
CE / CPD Credit
APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program you will be able to:
Describe the relevance of trauma exposure and sequelae across a wide range of forensic assessment referrals
Describe what being “trauma-informed” might mean in forensic assessment contexts
Describe key concepts commonly cited in the literature
Describe the salience of racial trauma and the importance of considering the evaluee's socio-cultural context
Describe how to apply trauma-informed principles to interviewing
Describe the utility (and limitations) of trauma screening and psychological testing
Describe how to apply trauma-informed principles to case formulation
Presented By
Julie Goldenson, PhD
Dr. Julie Goldenson is a clinical and forensic psychologist who practices in the criminal and civil arena. She is frequently retained as an expert to evaluate harms from institutional abuse. As a professor at University of Toronto, she teaches assessment of personality and psychopathology at the d...
Curriculum
1. Advancing Trauma-Informed Practices in Forensic Mental Health Assessment
2. Integrating Trauma-Informed Methods: Interviewing, Assessment, and Diagnostic Formulation in Forensic Mental Health
3. Case Insights and Final Reflections
Develop a Specialty Area of Practice
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Expert Instructors
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CE Credit
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Convenience & Flexibility
Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!
CE Sponsorship Information
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.