Fellows will choose three rotations to complete during the training year and will have the opportunity to be supervised by multiple licensed psychologists. Each rotation will be approximately 16 weeks and will provide emphasis and exposure to a forensic practice area. Rotations offered include:
Competency to stand trial
Fellows may choose to complete a rotation focused on CST 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), depending upon the availability of supervisors. Fellows should expect to complete one to two CST evaluations per week, depending upon prior level of experience and training.
Forensic risk assessment
Fellows may complete a rotation focused on completion of forensic risk assessment reports for individuals adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Western State Hospital for treatment. Reasons for evaluation may include initial evaluation 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 time of the offense
Fellows may choose to complete a rotation focused on evaluations of mental state at the time of the offense (MTSO), which includes evaluations of sanity, diminished capacity, and the combination of both. On this rotation, fellows work with a variety of supervisors to get a broad range of experiences in the conceptualization of MTSO cases.
Evaluations with special populations
These evaluations may include people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, cognitive deficits, or dissimulation of symptoms. 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.
Civil litigation evaluations
Fellows may work with a supervisor to complete evaluations relevant to non-criminal forensic referral questions. Types of evaluations may include personal injury, sexual harassment, wrongful death, and parental capacity. Supervisors may be DSHS employees or be employed fully in private practice. On this rotation, fellows will 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.