r/ForensicPsych

**For context, I am a licensed clinical therapist in 2 states and also have board certification in my specialty. In my work I offer master's-level autism diagnostic assessments and engage in monthly trainings and consultations to keep my practice as up to date and neuroaffirming as possible.

I need advice as to whether this is legal and/or common: I was hired by a defendant in a criminal case to provide an autism assessment to help support get their charges dropped. (Yes I know that courts typically want to see someone with doctorate level training provide these assessments, but the client wouldn't engage with that due to a lot of experiences of systemic harm. Informed consent was provided by the client about this and also discussed with their defense attorney.) Luckily my assessment report was accepted by the court and got the charges dropped for my client. The prosecutor of the case subsequently reached out to me a week later and stated her admiration for the report I wrote, noting that my approach to neurodivergent-affirming care and client contact would be an asset to their personal/professional side initiative whereby they go around their state and train incoming cadets about how to better identify and work with individuals with suspected autism. This prosecutor said they were going to use sections of my report in their training presentation and also show it to judges around their state as an example of how care needs to be directed.

This all sounds great upfront. However, my personal and professional values do not align with the prosecutors in some pretty fundamental ways. Additionally, I was never asked but rather told my report would be used in the aforementioned ways, and had to specifically ask and confirm that a) all identifying information related to my client would be redacted and 2) that I needed my name to be explicitly cited with my work.

My question is: Is it legal for this prosecutor to take the report I have written and use it in trainings for law enforcement and judicial commissions without my consent since it was already presented to the court?

so im nearly finished with y 11 and this career ive wanted for years does anyone have nay advice (uk)

Hello everyone! I am a senior in undergrad (major is criminal justice) hoping to become a forensic psychologist one day. I am starting to look at APA accredited programs to obtain a PsyD in clinical psychology with a concentration in forensics. I have done 3 internships with a forensic consulting company and am currently starting to do an internship with a behavioral health clinic with a focus on reforming criminal offenders/ helping victims. I am also considering volunteering for a suicide/ crisis hotline. My question is what else can I be doing to stand out as an applicant and be able to get into a good program. Or am I going about this all wrong? I am open to all advice :). Would also love to connect with people in the field/ perusing the field.

Hello, am interested in a career in forensics. I shadowed a forensic psychiatrist but have had no luck finding a forensic psychologist to observe.

As of now I’m trying to choose between pursuing medical school or a PhD/PsyD in Clinical Psychology. If I could talk to anyone who is a forensic psychologist to determine how different the field is from forensic psychology, I would greatly appreciate it.

I (F 22) am finishing up my first of two years in grad school getting an MA in forensic psychology and if all goes well I should graduate spring 2027. I graduate undergrad in psych in spring 2025. I’m just not sure what to do next. I wanna get a PhD in legal psychology but i don’t know where to look to find good schools. I also wasn’t sure where to post this so I figured parents might be a bit more educated on all this stuff.

I want to ultimately be a competency evaluator in the court system and help incompetent ppl who frequently get screwed over by the courts and police idk if that’s relevant to my school search though. Is there a website that will help me find good schools? Also what do u do for money in PhD schools? Some of these programs don’t let you work outside the college but I obviously need money right?

Also is this even the right move? Should I take a gap year since my last 22 almost 23 years have been all about school basically (i love school so that’s not the issue but i fear Im missing out on job experience). I have like part time jobs just random shit to pay my way but still nothing that’s I’ve gotten to use my degree for yet. Any advice or even stories of what you guys did would be very helpful.

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to decide between two graduate programs and would really appreciate advice from people who are familiar with either school/program.
My options are:
The M.A. in Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver

The Forensic Mental Health Counseling program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

A little about me:
I’m originally from the NJ/NY area, and there’s a decent chance I’ll move back there after grad school

Long-term, I’m interested in working in forensic settings (juvenile justice, forensic hospitals, court-involved populations, etc.)

Right now I’m more drawn toward hands-on clinical work/counseling, especially with youth, but I’m also very interested in behavioral analysis/violent crime and would like to keep those doors open

I have learning disabilities, so support, mentorship, and overall environment are important to me too

One of my biggest concerns is licensure. I know neither program is CACREP accredited, and I’m trying to understand how difficult it would realistically be to become licensed in NY or NJ after graduating — especially if I went to DU and later moved back east.
A few specific questions:
Has anyone from DU successfully become licensed in NY or NJ afterward? How difficult was the process?

Does John Jay make the licensure path significantly easier in practice?

Which program better prepares you for actual clinical work in forensic settings?

For people who attended either program: what were field placements/practicums really like?

Did you feel supported by faculty/the environment?

If you were interested in both clinical work AND forensic/criminal behavior analysis, which path would you choose?

I feel very torn because DU seems like it may be a better personal fit/supportive environment for me, while John Jay seems more strategic for licensure and forensic networking long-term.
Would really appreciate any honest insight from current students, alumni, or people working in the field. Thanks so much!