Philosophy

 

When in the role of a forensic evaluator, I believe it is my foremost purpose to provide an objective, impartial assessment of the subject of the evaluation. The assessment is based on (1) the relevant psycholegal issues and applicable statutes, and (2) appropriate psychological concepts and methods of assessment, and is done irrespective of who has hired me or the ramifications of the assessment's outcome. Clinical (i.e., treatment-focused) practice is about doing what is in the best interest of the client; forensic work is about providing a neutral, objective opinion. 

 

Once I was contacted by a lawyer about a high-profile case for which he required a forensic evaluation. He was surprisingly blunt and told me that he was "doctor shopping" (his exact words). It was evident he wanted some guarantee that I would likely give him an evaluation favorable to his case before he agreed to hire me. I directed him elsewhere. 

 

To be equally blunt as that attorney, I don't want to be hired unless the retaining party is truly wanting my opinion on the case, not simply for me to adopt his or her opinion.