These services typically involve clinical interviews, psychological testing, and collateral information to evaluate the mental health, personality, cognitive abilities, and behaviour of defendants, survivors, and witnesses involved in legal proceedings.
Forensic assessment involves the use of psychological testing, clinical interviews, and collateral information to evaluate the mental health, personality, cognitive abilities, and behaviour of individuals involved in legal cases, such as criminal defendants, victims, witnesses, and others.
We make sure we give the care and attention to every case we take on. We utilize objective measures, clinical and collateral interviews and ensure that your voice is heard throughout the evaluative process. We realize the recommendations that are made have very real consequences for individuals and the families that are referred to us.
Prices vary depending on the psycho-legal question, please fill out the referral form to determine the estimate.
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide objective and unbiased information that can be used by legal professionals to make informed decisions in legal proceedings, such as criminal cases or civil litigation. Psycho-legal evaluations can address a range of issues, such as assessing the individual’s competence to stand trial, their criminal responsibility, their risk of violence or re-offending, or the impact of a traumatic event on their mental health.
It is a critical component of the criminal justice system, providing valuable information that helps ensure that legal decisions are based on accurate and comprehensive information about the individual involved in the case.
If you have been referred by the legal system to complete a psychological evaluation, please fill out the referral form and we will contact you to further assess your needs.
These interventions are typically shorter and more focused than full parenting assessments (such as those under Practice Note 8) and are intended to assist the court with specific, time-sensitive issues related to parenting, communication, or decision-making.
At Tenacity Psychological Health Services, we provide Practice Note 7 interventions that are neutral, efficient, and solution-focused. Our role is to help clarify concerns, provide insight into family dynamics, and offer practical recommendations that prioritize the best interests of the child(ren). These interventions are often completed within a shorter timeframe than full assessments and are ideal when a narrow set of parenting issues needs timely professional input.
For more information on the Practice Note 7, please download this resource.
“Risk assessment” / Parenting Capacity Assessment – Evaluates concerns about a parent’s ability to provide a safe and stable environment for their child. This may involve examining issues such as substance use, mental health, family violence, or patterns of harmful behavior. The assessment offers evidence-based recommendations to help inform decisions about parenting time, supervision needs, and the child’s overall well-being.
Voice of the Child(ren) – A VOC is structured process used to gather and share a children’s views and experiences in the context of family court proceedings. It is not a custody assessment, but rather a way to ensure that the child’s perspective is respectfully heard and considered when decisions are being made about parenting arrangements. A trained mental health professional meets with the child in a developmentally appropriate and neutral setting to understand their thoughts, feelings, and preferences, while also being mindful of any signs of pressure, loyalty conflicts, or distress.
Parent or Child Psychological Evaluation– a comprehensive evaluation used to clarify mental health diagnoses and better understand a person’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. In the context of parenting, this type of assessment can help determine how a parent’s psychological profile may impact their ability to meet their child’s needs. Findings can inform treatment planning, parenting support, or legal decisions when mental health is a factor in family court proceedings.
Therapeutic Intervention with One Parent – may be recommended to support a parent in addressing specific concerns that impact their ability to co-parent effectively or meet their child’s emotional needs. This can include managing conflict, improving emotional regulation, addressing past trauma, or developing healthier communication patterns. Therapy is goal-focused and intended to promote insight, stability, and more constructive involvement in the parenting dynamic, in alignment with the best interests of the child.
Therapeutic Intervention with the Child involves individual counselling focused on helping the child process and adjust to changes related to parental separation, divorce, or conflict. Sessions provide a safe, age-appropriate space for the child to express their thoughts and emotions, build coping strategies, and strengthen resilience. The goal is to support the child’s emotional well-being and help reduce the impact of family stressors on their development and day-to-day functioning.
Therapeutic Intervention with Both Parents (often referred to as post-separation or divorce counselling) is designed to help parents navigate the emotional and practical challenges of co-parenting after separation. This intervention focuses on reducing conflict, improving communication, and supporting parents in developing a more cooperative and child-centered approach. The goal is to create a more stable and supportive environment for the child, while helping both parents move forward in a respectful and constructive manner.
Practice Note 8 is a directive used by the Alberta family courts that outlines the standards and procedures for conducting Parenting Time / Parenting Responsibility Assessments (formerly known as custody and access assessments). These assessments are typically ordered by the court when there are concerns about a child’s best interests or when parents are unable to reach an agreement regarding parenting arrangements.
At Tenacity Psychological Health Services, our clinicians are experienced in completing assessments in accordance with Practice Note 8. We adhere to its guidelines to ensure assessments are thorough, impartial, and child-focused, with the goal of providing the court with clear, evidence-based recommendations that support the well-being of the child(ren) involved.
For more information on the practice note 8 please download this resource.
If you are an attorney and are wondering if a psychological evaluation could help your criminal or civil case, please contact us by phone, or send us an information request/ referral form. We can consult with you to determine what questions we can answer for your specific case.
If you are an attorney or individual and are in need of a psychologist to evaluate the quality of a previous psychological evaluation, we are here to help. We can help you develop a set of questions used for cross examination or provide general consultation to help you develop a stronger case.
Dr. Lyndsey is a Clinical and Forensic psychologist who completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Lyndsey specializes in trauma treatment and forensic evaluation.
