Evaluations

Psychosexual Evaluations

Psychosexual evaluations are specialized forensic evaluations that are conducted in order to assess risk for recidivism, treatment needs, responsively issues that may affect treatment success, protective factors, and other factors which may impact an individual's stability. They may be performed on adults and adolescents and are typically conducted at the request of a defense attorney, prosecuting attorney, or court. 

The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA)  has published guidelines which detail the psychosexual evaluation process for adult males and adolescents including the parameters of the psychosexual evaluation, referral questions to be addressed, content of the evaluation process, and elements of the written report.

Psychosexual evaluations are conducted only when an individual has been charged, or convicted (adjudicated) of a sexual offense, or there has been a substantiated finding by the Department for Children and Families (DCF) or Division of Family Services (DFS). It is not appropriate to conduct a psychosexual evaluation when there are 'allegations' without formal charges or substantiated finding. Psychosexual evaluations are not conducted in order to determine guilt or innocence, or to substantiate or refute allegations of sexual misconduct. 

The psychosexual evaluation process usually includes: 

• Review of official records and case documentation (complaint, affidavit, police reports, etc.)
• Psychological testing instruments or screening instruments
• Actuarial assessment to estimate risk of recidivism (Static-99R, Stable-2007)
• Protective factors assessment (SAPROF)
• Clinical Interview

Upon completion of the psychosexual evaluation, a clinical report is generated and sent to the referral source. That report will include a summary of the assessment instruments, official documentation, clinical interview findings, and recommendations for further treatment/intervention. The report is often used in subsequent court proceedings at the discretion of the referral source. 

Psychological Evaluations

Psychological evaluations are conducted in order to help clarify the diagnostic picture and provide guidance for further treatment. These evaluations can include personality assessment, intelligence testing, and a clinical interview that covers the individual's biographical, psychological, and social history. These evaluations include a DSM-5-TR diagnostic formulation and recommendations for additional services.

Psychological testing can include:

• Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3)
• Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV)
• Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)
• Screening instruments such as the Beck Depression Inventory-2, Beck Anxiety Inventory
• Intelligence testing such as the General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA) or Wechsler Intelligence tests

Testing can be completed in a variety of ways. It can be done in-person with either paper/pencil testing materials or electronically, or it can be done remotely via electronic format. Counterpoise Wellness utilizes Q-Global which allows testing materials to be emailed to the participant for completion.

Referrals for psychological evaluations can come from family members (parents), psychiatrists or physicians, attorneys, courts, and other mental health professionals. Following the evaluation, a clinical report is written and sent to the referral source. 

Pre-Adjudicated Youth

Counterpoise Wellness provides evaluation and treatment services to youth who have displayed problematic sexual behaviors such as: 

• Inappropriate touching
• Sexting
• Pornography misuse
• Other boundary-crossing behaviors

Some youth who have engaged in these behaviors may be charged with criminal offense. Those youth are often referred for services while they make their way through the legal process. Counterpoise Wellness works with defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, courts, and court services officers to provide psychosexual evaluations and treatment to those youth who have displayed inappropriate sexual behavior. 

Following the referral, an in-depth psychosexual evaluation may be conducted. That evaluation will include recommendations for additional services/intervention. The goal of such evaluation is not to determine guilt or innocence, or to substantiate or refute allegations of sexual misconduct. The evaluation is conducted in order to provide the trier-of-fact and other decision-makers relevant information to make evidence-informed decisions. 

Juvenile Waiver to Adult Status Evaluations

Adolescents charged with a criminal offense are sometimes subject to a waiver motion. The purpose of such a motion is to "waive" the youth to adult status, meaning, the criminal justice system would treat them as adults. During those situations, an attorney may request a Juvenile Waiver to Adult Status Evaluation. 

The purpose of these evaluations is to provide input on the youth's intellectual, psychological, and behavioral characteristics that impact his/her functioning. These evaluations include a thorough record review, psychological testing, and a clinical interview. 

Following the evaluation, a report is generated and sent to the referral source. The report will include a summary of relevant information as well as conclusions and recommendations.

Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations 

Competency Evaluations are conducted in order to inform the court of an individual's ability to adequately participate in court proceedings the criminal justice process. These evaluations are typically requested by either the defense attorney or prosecuting attorney and may be ordered by the court. 

Competency Evaluations include a thorough review of relevant documentation such as the individual's mental health and medical history, legal history and cases information, and hospital records. These evaluations include a clinical interview that covers the individual's biographical, psychological, and social history. 

At the conclusion of the evaluation, a clinical report is written and sent to the referral source. That report will summarize the evaluation findings and include a clinical opinion as to the competence of the individual. 

Psychopathy Evaluations

Psychopathy evaluations are specialized assessments designed to assess the presence and depth of an individual's psychopathic features. Evaluations of this sort typically include a clinical interview and a Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Individuals referred for this type of evaluation are likely engaged in legal matters that involve interpersonal violence or exploitation. Following the evaluation, a clinical report is written and sent to the referral source.