Fellowship Rotations
Fellows will complete three rotations during the training year and will have the opportunity to be supervised by multiple licensed psychologists. Fellows are asked to provide input on rotation preferences based on training goals and interests. Training faculty incorporate fellows’ preferences with assessed training and experience needs, as well as available supervisors, to determine an individualized rotation plan for each fellow. Each rotation will be approximately 16 weeks and will emphasize exposure in a forensic practice area. Rotations offered include:
Competency to stand trial – Required rotation
Evaluations for competency to stand trial provide foundational knowledge and experience in forensic decision-making, differential diagnosis, and forensic report writing. As such, each fellow is required to complete a full competency rotation during the course of the training year. CST rotations are offered in a variety of settings including evaluations within the inpatient forensic evaluation service (i.e., at Eastern or Western State Hospitals, Regional Treatment Centers) or the community forensic evaluation service (i.e., jail-based evaluations). Fellows typically complete one to two CST evaluations per week, depending upon prior training and experience.
Forensic risk assessment
Fellows may complete a rotation focused on forensic risk assessments for individuals adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Eastern/Western State Hospital for treatment. Referrals include initial evaluations to assist with treatment planning for newly admitted patients, periodic re-evaluation on an annual basis, or evaluation for consideration of increased privilege levels within the hospital or community. This rotation includes training, as necessary, on relevant risk assessment instruments such as the HCR-20, VRAG-R, PL-R, and SAPROF.
Mental state at the time of the offense
Fellows may complete an MSO rotation, which includes evaluations of sanity/criminal responsibility, diminished capacity, and a combination of both. Evaluations may occur in inpatient hospital settings, jails, and other locations (e.g., attorney offices). On this rotation, fellows typically work with a variety of supervisors to get a broad range of experiences in MSO case conceptualizations.
Evaluations with special populations
The training experiences on this rotation may vary based on a fellow’s interests, as well as supervisor availability. Evaluations may include a focus on working with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, juvenile populations, or individuals committed for sexual offending behavior. Fellows may work with a supervisor who is a developmental disabilities professional, required under Washington law to complete competency evaluations for defendants suspected of having a developmental disability. Opportunities vary by location and supervisor availability.
Private practice evaluations
Fellows may complete a rotation working with a supervisor to complete evaluations relevant to criminal and non-criminal forensic referral questions. Types of evaluations may include personal injury, sexual harassment, wrongful death, parental capacity, and sentencing mitigation. Supervisors may be DSHS employees or be employed fully in private practice. On this rotation, fellows may observe deposition and trial testimony, learn the administration and interpretation of tools used to assess PTSD, and develop a mastery of the evaluation of damages and causation in personal injury cases. Opportunities vary by location and supervisor availability.