Forensic Psychology is the interface between mental health and the law. It is the application of psychological knowledge to legal issues. Forensic Psychologists utilize various methods of interviewing and standardized psychological tests to assist them in answering the questions posed by the courts, judges and attorneys.
Who is the client?
In contrast to traditional psychological services where the client is the individual generally receiving the evaluation and/or treatment, the client in forensic psychology is the person who hires the psychologist. Dr. Winter is generally hired by the courts, a judge, the public defender or private defense attorney, the state attorney or any other private attorney, such as those in the area of family law, employment law, personal injury law or criminal law.
What services are offered?
Dr. Winter provides evaluations, depositions and expert testimony, and, when indicated, treatment planning. She is available to consult with attorneys as well as prepare for depositions and/or the cross examination of experts. Generally, these include the issues of:
· Competency to stand trial and NGBRI
· Child custody and parental rights
· Personal-injury
· Criminal responsibility & pre-sentencing
· Juvenile delinquency
· Job discrimination
Dr. Winter is on the Palm Beach County court appointed list. She accepts referrals from judges, attorneys and court appointments from the Public Defender’s and State Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Winter has a particular interest in the evaluation of individuals who have survived severe childhood sexual and physical abuse, torture, cult abuse and/or satanic ritual abuse. The use of dissociation as a defense mechanism in which to deal with and contain these memories may preempt a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
Is there confidentiality?
Unlike the traditional psychologist patient relationships, in which the privilege belongs to the patient, the privilege belongs to the party that requested the evaluation. Often evaluations, interview notes, reports and raw test data are released to the courts or another psychologist.
What are the fees?
Fees are set for interview, evaluation, test scoring and interpretation, record review, attorney consultation and report preparation. Also, there are separate fees for depositions and expert testimony, billed portal to portal. Forensic services are not covered by insurance.
