Forensic Psychologist in Miami

Below, you will find a list of the services I provide. If you have any questions or are in need of a forensic psychologist in Miami, feel free to call or come by my office.

Custody Evaluation: These evaluations are centered around what is best for the child. Most states have adopted minimal standards as to what constitutes an acceptable evaluation. Included in this type of evaluation are interviews with all parties individually and with each other, evaluation of each parent?s relationship with the child, assessment of each parents? knowledge of the child and their parenting skills, and interviews with significant people in their child?s life including teachers, babysitters, and tutors.

Emotional Sequeli of Injuries: Most lawyers have an understanding of the cost of physical injury to the client in terms of future earnings, physical rehabilitation, and medical care. Few understand the costs of psychological trauma. Many clients are overwhelmed by their physical injury and may have difficulty adjusting. This may affect their work productivity or their personal life. Others, particularly those whose lives have been threatened by injury, are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a particularly disabling psychological disability that makes it difficult to function both in the home and work environments. A psychological examination is used to examine the range and extent of difficulties in functioning and projected costs for remediation.

Emotional Sequeli of Termination: Most individuals are deeply affected by losing their jobs. Problems are compounded when the individual perceived when he or she is wrongfully terminated. Typical responses are depression, anxiety, and family conflict. A forensic psychologist evaluates whether an individual has psychological problems and whether and to what extent these problems are due to a wrongful firing.

Sexual Harassment: Similar to physical injury, sexual harassment can cause emotional trauma to those who are vulnerable. It directly affects self-esteem and emotional security. A forensic psychologist, through interviewing and psychological testing, will determine the nature and the extent of the disorder, and at present, to what degree sexual harassment caused this disorder.

Competency to Proceed: Each state has specific guidelines as to what constitutes competency to proceed. Forensic psychologists use these guidelines to assess competence. Through interviewing and psychological testing, forensic psychologists evaluate whether an individual is competent t o stand trial.

Mitigating Circumstances: The forensic psychologist evaluates the client to assess whether there are any variables that are important in the understanding of his or her actions that caused them to perform in an illegal fashion.

The final set is separate from the two and it is called Pre-Employment Screening: In recent years, psychologists have contributed to the productivity of the workplace in both the private and public arena by providing employment screening. The purpose of screening is to accurately select individuals who meet company or agency standards, to reduce the risk of hiring problem employees, to improve the quality of the working environment, and to improve efficiency. The psychologist uses job descriptions that specify essential duties of the work to be performed and minimum qualifications for the job. The psychologist also selects psychological instruments that address the job description. Finally, an interview is performed to obtain an accurate job history and to address specific concerns brought up during testing. If the job is essential to public safety, the psychologist must also assess whether the individual has a major mental health disorder or personality disorder. Such positions like police, fireman, airline pilots, and nuclear energy employees fall under the category of public safety.

A psychologist may also be used to assess whether an individual is ready to return to work after being treated for psychological difficulties eg. Depression, anger management, or substance abuse. This evaluation is called Fitness for Duty and is used to determine whether the individual can continue to perform the particular tasks. He is assessed on whether he may be assigned or has to be transferred to another position.