Even highly qualified forensic mental health professionals can feel challenged when subjected to aggressive or strategically crafted cross-examination. While clinical expertise is essential, the ability to communicate opinions clearly, remain composed under pressure, and respond effectively to common attorney tactics often determines how credible an expert appears to the court.
This highly interactive 3-hour training is designed to strengthen both the competence and confidence of mental health professionals who provide expert testimony. Participants will begin with a focused overview of the role and responsibilities of the forensic expert witness, foundational principles of effective courtroom testimony, and practical strategies for communicating with judges and juries.
The remainder of the training consists of intensive, instructor-led role-play in which participants practice responding to realistic cross-examination scenarios featuring common “attorney traps,” including leading questions, mischaracterizations of testimony, forced yes-or-no questions, attacks on qualifications, challenges to methodology, selective quotation of records or literature, and attempts to provoke defensiveness or overstatement.
Learning Objectives
Objective 1: Describe the role of a forensic mental health expert witness, including principles that enhance credibility during courtroom testimony.
Objective 2: Recognize common cross-examination strategies and “attorney traps” used to challenge forensic experts, including tactics intended to undermine credibility, distort testimony, or elicit damaging responses.
Objective 3: Demonstrate effective verbal and behavioral strategies for responding to challenging cross-examination while maintaining professionalism, objectivity, accuracy, and composure.
Objective 4: Apply courtroom communication techniques during simulated expert witness testimony to enhance confidence, credibility, and the persuasive presentation of forensic opinions.
Presenters
Norman Hoffman, PhD, EdD, LMHC, LMFT,
CFMHE, CCCE, CFBA, CFP
A Visionary in Forensic Mental Health
Dr. Hoffman is a true innovator—a man who saw untapped potential and consistently pushed boundaries to advance the standing of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in the forensic mental health arena. Driven by a clear vision and a track record of professional success, he overcame significant challenges to pave the way for others, opening doors to a specialized field that was once entirely inaccessible to counselors.
With boldness and courage, Dr. Hoffman created a groundbreaking training and certification process. This framework allowed LPCs to achieve the same elite status and professional recognition traditionally reserved for psychiatrists and psychologists. Despite facing systemic discrimination, his unwavering dedication and persistence leveled the playing field, earning counselors an equal—and often elevated—status in the forensic community.
A Pioneer and Educator
Today, Dr. Hoffman is widely recognized as a pioneer. His passion and creativity established the very blueprint for counselors pursuing roles as expert forensic mental health witnesses. Currently serving as the Clinical Director of the Counseling and Psychotherapy Center in Ormond Beach, Florida, Dr. Hoffman continues to break through conventional barriers, providing families with invaluable help and guidance. Yet, through all his success, he has never lost touch with his musical roots. He credits music with inspiring his deeply collaborative approach to working with parents and professionals alike—and he still actively performs and writes the jazz that started it all.
Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CFBA, CFP
Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, trauma treatment, forensic mental health evaluation, forensic behavioral analysis, and forensic psychometry.
He serves as executive director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, assistant professor at the University of South Florida's Counselor Education program, International Counseling Task Force chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association.
He co-authored the Forensic Evaluation section of the "AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling,” authored the proposal for AMHCA’s Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Forensic Evaluation (CMHS-FE) credential, authored the DSM-5 to DSM-5-TR update article published in the American Counseling Association's Counseling Today magazine, and served on the expert panel that created the standards and written exam for the Florida Certification Board’s Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) credential.
He has 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, was awarded Mental Health Counselor of the Year by the American Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016, Counselor Educator of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016, Researcher of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2019, and he was awarded AMHCA’s Public and Community Service Award in 2020.
Cost
Complimentary for NBFE members (i.e., CFMHEs and CFMHE applicants/candidates) and, for members of our partnering organizations please see Professional Partners for current listing)
$40 for Non-members
Continuing Education Information
ACEP No. 6189
Florida CE Broker Tracking No. 20-1391378
CE Broker Provider No. 50-15823
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. NBFE is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NBFE maintains responsibility for this program and its content. NBFE is recognized and endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
This workshop has been approved for 3.0 general hours, with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, & Mental Health Counseling and the Florida Board of Psychology, CE Broker Tracking # 20-1391378 (CE Broker Provider #50-15823).
Click here for NBFE Cancellation/Refund Policy.
