Court-ordered therapy is meant to be a catalyst for change, for an individual or family who, is at any time, involved in the legal system and subsequently ordered by a judge or magistrate to participate in therapy with a mental health provider. Throughout the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, court-ordered therapy is used to persuade litigants to get the help they need, when they are unable or unwilling to seek it out on their own. If a judge has ordered that you or a loved one must participate in individual therapy sessions, special consideration should be made to …

Although Judges are trained to be neutral parties in the courtroom and one would assume they are in complete control of their decision-making process, studies have shown that there are several factors (which attorneys can often subtly manipulate) in order to help tip the scales during difficult trials. A large research study in Ireland analyzed the results of 1,112 parole board hearings, as they relate to the time of day in which they occurred. The results were astonishing:  Researchers clearly identified a pattern in which the judges were substantially more likely to rule in favor of the defendants whose cases were heard …

Psychological Center for Expert Evaluations, Inc. is a proud sponsor of Family Day 2013! For more information on how you can be a part of Family Day visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tykes-Teens-Family-Day-2013/269671636510616! Every year children under the age of 18 are arrested in Palm Beach County for anything from drug possession to theft. Parents are always looking for new ways to get involved in their children’s lives to prevent unlawful behavior and decisions. Especially in families who are divorced, it may be difficult to be a part of your child’s life when you are on a parenting plan that doesn’t allow you to see …

When a judge orders someone to undergo a psychological evaluation, you can safely assume that the matter at hand is not a trivial one. The judge finds the matter serious enough to take a step back, dig deeper, and learn more about a person or situation before making a final decision. With so much riding on the line, it is important that the psychologist who is hired to complete the evaluation not only knows what they are doing, but is also on top of their game. There is no room for carelessness, bias opinions, “hired guns”, or half-hazard, rushed work. …

If you have been recommended or ordered to complete a psychological evaluation, it is important to do your homework and carefully review your options before selecting a forensic psychologist for your case. The following list outlines important information you should consider before hiring your expert: 1. The psychologist’s credentials and experience. It’s important to have access to the psychologist’s resume, also called a Curriculum Vitae (CV), prior to making arrangements for an evaluation to take place. The information on this document will give you insight as to whether or not the psychologist has had experience in cases such as yours, …

There are a variety of reasons individuals are court ordered for substance abuse evaluations in Florida. Whether it was due to a DUI, marchman act, custody issues, etc., Dr. Kristin Tolbert of the Psychological Center for Expert Evaluations, Inc. offers thorough substance abuse evaluations which will be individualized to meet the specific criteria required by the court order. The evaluations typically last between 2-3 hours and involve a clinical interview and several standardized psychological tests. Upon completion of your appointment, the psychologist will write a report summarizing the results and recommendations. The report is generally ready in about 2 weeks; …