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.
Want to register late? Video recordings of previous sessions can be provided to you to help you catch up to the current session.
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.
About the Presenter
Dr. Tommy Black is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been in private practice since 1998. Currently he serves as a member of the Georgia Composite Board for Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists. He also serves as the Chair of the Rules Committee and on the Advisory Panel for the National Board of Forensic Evaluators. Dr. Black has extensive experience and training in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, REBT, and DBT. He works with a myriad of life issues but has particular expertise in Grief/Loss, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Impulse Control Issues, Relationship difficulties, and Adjustment Difficulties. A veteran of the Gulf War (1990-1991) while serving in the U.S. Army, Dr. Black has years of personal and professional experience in understanding and helping others cope with the specific trials of military services for active duty individuals and their families.
Training Schedule
Phase I: Overview of Forensic Mental Health Testing Instruments, Malingering, and Competency Evaluation
Session 1: 5-hour webinar 8/18/17, 10 am - 3 pm
Session 2: 90-minute webinar 9/15/17, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 3: 90-minute webinar 10/13/17, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Phase 2: Tests for Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Substance Abuse, and Custody Evaluations
Session 4: 90-minutewebinar 11/10/17, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 5: 90-minute webinar 12/22/17, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 6: 5-hour webinar 1/12/18, 10 am - 3 pm
Phase 3: Intelligence and Adaptive Behavior Tests
Session 7: 90-minute webinar 2/16/18, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 8: 90-minute webinar 3/16/18, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 9: 5-hour webinar 4/27/18, 10 am - 3 pm
Phase 4: Risk Assessment, Anger, Psychopathy, and Sexual Violence
Session 10: 90-minute webinar 5/1/18, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 11: 90-minute webinar 6/15/18, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 12: 5-hour webinar 7/27/18, 10 am - 3 pm
Notes and Disclaimers: An additional 8 hours of 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.
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.
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 # 20-628296 (Phase 1), 20-628294 (Phase 2), 20-628298 (Phase 3), and 20-628300 (Phase 4) (CE Broker Provider #50-15823). Note: Phases 1, 2, and 3 include 9 general hours and 1 hour of ethics/professional boundaries, and Phase 4 includes 5 general hours, 4 domestic violence hours, and 1 hour of ethics/professional boundaries.
NBFE is recognized and endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
Click here for NBFE Cancellation/Refund Policy.
