ATA
Assessment & Treatment Alternatives
Forensic Mental Health Evaluation & Treatment Services
ATA
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News & Events
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Forensic Evaluation Services ■ Sexual Offender Evaluations of Adults and Juveniles Forensic evaluation including Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) assessments; civil commitment issues; pre-sentencing evaluations of adults and juveniles; amenability to treatment evaluations; and transfer decision-making; Risk assessments. All offender evaluations (adult & juvenile) focus on cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning of the individual. These comprehensive, in-depth assessments can be conducted in the office or in more secure settings. These evaluations are designed to serve as a starting point for implementing an effective treatment plan for young offenders or as a marker of progress in treatment. ■ Juvenile Evaluations Criminal evaluations of juveniles, including amenability to treatment and other issues pertinent to waiver, evaluation of competency to stand trial and waive Miranda rights, risk assessment, assessment of legal sanity for juveniles who are being tried in adult court ■ Traumatic Stress Evaluations Many types of civil and criminal litigation involve claims of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The diagnostic validity of these claims can impact directly upon the defense, plaintiff, or prosecutorial strategy, depending upon the nature of the case. It is important for attorneys and others involved in the legal system to be able to assess the validity of PTSD evaluations and diagnoses. We conduct evaluations for child and adult victims of sexual assault, injury, workplace harassment and other related causes. Trauma Evaluations Provide: Detailed background information of the client, Description of the triggering event, Description of the functioning of the client prior to the stressor event, Description of the functioning of the client after the stressor event, Diagnostic Severity of Impairment, Review and summary of pertinent collateral information (medical and psychiatric records, accounts of acquaintances, co-workers, etc.), Relationship of present impairment to client's ability to work, Issue of malingering, Summary of previous treatment and an opinion as to whether or not adequate treatment was received by client, Prognosis and need for treatment. ■ Custody Evaluations The primary consideration in child custody evaluations is to assess the individual and family factors that affect the best psychological interests of the child. More specific questions may be raised by the court. The focus of the evaluation is on parenting capacity , the psychological and developmental needs of the child and the resulting fit. Issues that are common to all child custody disputes are presented, including continuity and quality of attachments, preference, parental alienation, special needs of children, education, gender issues, sibling relationships, parents' physical and mental health, parents' work schedules, parents' finances, styles of parenting, discipline, conflict resolution, social support systems, cultural, ethnic and religious issues. ■ Homicide Evaluations Evaluations of: Factors relevant to future institutional adjustment and risk for violence; Competency at the time of the offense; and Competency to be executed. Each evaluation includes the development of a comprehensive psycho-social summary/narrative based upon extensive and multi-source research and interviews encompassing the life history of a defendant. We also provide consultation in the development of mitigation testimony by lay and expert witnesses. - ATA staff have participated in over 100 capital cases in the last 10 years. - ■ Competency Evaluations Evaluations address the following areas: -Pertinent background information of the defendant. -Mental health, medical and substance abuse history. -Thorough Mental Status Exam and current level of functioning. -Evaluation of the defendant's ability to understand the proceedings against him (Including whether the defendant has the ability to understand his present charges; understand his overall legal situation; understand the roles of courtroom personnel; and distinguish between various pleas and understand the range of possible verdicts) -Assessment of the defendant’s ability to assist in his defense. This part of the evaluation reflects on defendant’s ability to: -recount his behavior and whereabouts at the time of the alleged offense; -effectively interact with his attorney; -behave an acceptable manner in the court room. -Whether or not, and to what extent the defendant's mental disorder (if any) has affected his competency. -Issues of malingering (feigning the signs and symptoms of mental disorder) and potential for restoration to competency will be discussed.
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wrussell@dca.net with
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