LIVE: Advanced Topics in Competency Assessment Part 1: Mapping Clinical Data to Functional Legal Capacities
March 6, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific
3 Hours | 3 CEs
Live Training via Zoom
Lori L. Hauser, PhD, ABPP, and Terry Kukor, PhD, ABPP present a live virtual professional training program on Advanced Topics in Competency Assessment Part 1: Mapping Clinical Data to Functional Legal Capacities in partnership with the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP).
This is Part One of a three-part series on Advanced Topics in the Assessment of Competency to Stand Trial. It is recommended but not required that participants complete all three parts.
This training addresses the core conceptual underpinnings of Understanding, Appreciating, Reasoning, and Assisting Counsel, with an emphasis on practical assessment strategies for each. Particular attention will be given to key competency-related functions that are not easily assessed (e.g., decision-making, cognitive flexibility, capacity to manage symptoms, social/cognitive factors relevant to capacity to assist).
This training is not suitable for those seeking basic introductory-level instruction in the assessment of competency to stand trial. Participants who have some basic practical experience in competency assessment will benefit the most from this training. Participants in the inpatient or outpatient environment would benefit from this training.
This program will cover an explanation of the four key concepts of competency: Understanding, Appreciating, Reasoning, and Assisting Counsel, including:
- What they are, and how to assess them;
- A review of the various data collection methods,
- How to draw the most meaningful data from them
- How to avoid potential pitfalls associated with them;
- Mapping symptoms onto specific functional legal capacities related to competency (particularly the ability to assist prong)
- Assessing case-related reasoning in more nuanced contexts (such as delusions vs. extreme overvalued beliefs, pro se capacity, etc.).
Instruments: No specific FAIs will be reviewed in detail, but some may be mentioned.
Case Examples: Multiple case scenarios from the presenters’ experience will be discussed to exemplify specific assessment concepts and strategies.
Interactivity: Participants will be actively encouraged to ask questions and describe their experiences with the concepts being discussed.