Testing for Forensic Populations ("On Demand" Workshop)

     

"On Demand" Workshop

Many mental health professionals want to conduct quality forensic and clinical evaluations, but most were under-trained in graduate school and require additional training in the administration and interpretation of psychological tests.  This "on demand workshop" is a 40-hour introductory course in which attendees view video-recorded lectures of a live cohort of clinicians who trained with Dr. Harry Voulgarakis and Dr. Aaron Norton, experienced forensic evaluators.  Attendees can interact with the presenters through email to ask questions, send homework assignments, and receive feedback to ensure that they understand the course material.  All attendees who are licensed mental health professionals and who complete all 40 hours of the training course also receive a letter from Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR), one of the nation's largest test distributors, attesting to Level C test qualification status.  Attendees may sign up for each phase individually, or they may sign up for the entire course (all four phases) to save $100.

Testing and assessment instruments have become the rule rather than the exception these days. Research and best practices have shown that objective testing is more accurate, accessible, and accepted in the courtroom as well as other forensic settings.  Unfortunately, many practitioners are woefully under educated and trained on these valuable tools. For this reason, we have decided to develop and offer a comprehensive certification program to aid CFMHE’s become more adept, confident, and practiced at utilizing these instruments. The goal is ensure these tools are used appropriately, consistently, and in a manner that affords the practitioner as well as the decider the best possible information in any forensic mental health setting.

Fundamental to this course are explanations of theoretical concepts underlying testing and assessment. Content will include use of the scientific method as a basis for engaging in critical thinking and the evaluation of sources of information, a review of empirical studies in psychology to evaluate research findings and evaluate claims of reliability and validity, articulate controversial and ethical issues in psychological testing, use computer technology and appropriate software to complete assignments, and work effectively in small groups. In addition to discussion of theoretical concepts, Attendees will learn the history of psychological testing, learn how theories, principles and concepts are used in psychometric assessment and are applied in educational, clinical and employment settings, compute and interpret basic psychometric statistics, and create, pilot, analyze, and provide both a written report (in APA-style) and an oral presentation of the test development project.

Phase 1: Overview of Ethical and Professional Guidelines for Testing, Malingering, and Personality Testing (10 hours)

Phase 2: (Adult Focus) Substance Abuse, Risk Assessment, Anger, Psychopathy, and Sexual Violence (10 hours)

Phase 3: Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior Testing (10 hours)

Phase 4: (Child/Family Focus) Tests for Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, School Issues, and Custody Evaluations (10 hours)

Click here to read a more detailed syllabus of course content.

Notes and Disclaimers: The recorded lectures comprise approximately 30 of the 40 hours.  An additional 10 hours of reading materials and independent test administration and interpretation practice is included in the 40-hour course.  Although completion of this workshop, in combination with a license to independently practice as a mental health professional, guarantees Level C testing qualification with PAR, it is ultimately the clinician's responsibility to ensure competency to administer and interpret any test or instrument.  For example, this workshop provides an overview and demonstration of IQ testing, but clinicians should purchase a starter kit for an IQ test and complete practice administrations with appropriate supervision prior to using IQ tests in clinical settings.

Participants who attend the full course of training will receive a certificate from Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. (PAR) attesting that the participant has met the standards for administering Class C tests.  Also, although attendees are not required to purchase testing kits in order to successfully complete the program, those who elect to do so are eligible or a 20% discount with PAR.

 

About the Presenters

Dr. Harry Voulgarakis is a psychologist and behavior analyst licensed to practice in New York and California. He is also a nationally registered health service psychologist and holds board certifications in behavior analysis at the doctoral level, forensic mental health evaluation, and child custody evaluation.

After completing an internship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr. Voulgarakis was awarded PhD in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University with concentrations in neuropsychology, health psychology, and parent-infant mental health, followed by two years of post-doctoral training in neuropsychological assessment. He also completed post-doctoral training at St. John’s University in Forensic Psychology. Dr. Voulgarakis draws on his background in education, has advanced and graduate- level training in law, taxation and finance, and behavioral economics. He has been retained as an expert evaluator and consultant by public, private, and state agencies across the United States and internationally.

Dr. Voulgarakis is an executive committee member of the New York State Psychological Association’s division of Forensic Psychology, sits on the editorial board for The Clinical Neuropsychologist, and serves as a guest reviewer for several other peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He has authored and co-authored over a dozen scientific and peer-reviewed papers and presented at conferences both nationally and internationally. Clinically, Dr. Voulgarakis specializes in pediatric health issues, neurodevelopmental disorders, behavioral and developmental neuropsychology, and issues in family law. He is a professor of special education and psychology at St. Joseph’s University, New York, and maintains a private practice in New York City and San Francisco.

Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, trauma treatment, forensic mental health evaluation, forensic behavioral analysis, and forensic psychometry.

He serves as executive director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, assistant professor of instruction at the University of South Florida Dept. of Mental Health Law & Policy, southern regional director, Ethics Committee liaison, and International Counseling Task Force chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association, chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, and consulting editor for AMHCA’s The Advocate Magazine.  He earned a BA in psychology, MA in rehabilitation and mental health counseling, and PhD in counselor education and supervision with a cognate in physiological psychology.

He authored or co-authored the forensic evaluation section of the AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the proposal for AMHCA’s Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Forensic Evaluation (CMHS-FE) credential,  NBFE's analysis and position paper on counselors and psychological testing, NBFE's guide to laws and rules governing counselors and testing in the US, the DSM-5 to DSM-5-TR update article published in the American Counseling Association's Counseling Today magazine, and he has been published in several academic journals and professional magazines in the mental health professions.  He served on the expert panel that created the standards and written exam for the Florida Certification Board’s Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) credential.

He has 20 years of experience administering and interpreting psychological tests and measures in both clinical and forensic settings and in providing training and instruction on assessment and evaluation as an instructor and clinical supervisor, was awarded "Mental Health Counselor of the Year" by the American Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016, "Counselor Educator of the Year" by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016, "Researcher of the Year" by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2019, and he was awarded AMHCA’s Public and Community Service Award in 2020.

The National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6189.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  NBFE is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. 

The National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NBFE maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

This workshop has been approved for 40 hours of continuing education (32 general hours, 4 domestic violence hours, and 4 ethics hours) with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, & Mental Health Counseling, CE Broker Tracking # 20-1174828 (Phase 1), 20-1176072 (Phase 2), 20-1176074 (Phase 3), and 20-1176094 (Phase 4).  20-1176094.  20-1176094.  Note: Phases 1, 3, and 4 each contain 9.0 general hours and 1.0 hours ethics/professional boundaries, and Phase 2 includes 5.0 general hours, 1.0 hours ethics/professional boundaries, and 4.0 domestic violence hours.  CE Broker Provider #50-12853.

NBFE is recognized and endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Click here for NBFE Cancellation/Refund Policy.