Forensic Psychology Therapists in Kamloops, BC

What is forensic psychology?

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological knowledge and methods to legal and criminal justice contexts. It encompasses psychological assessment in legal proceedings (fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility, risk assessment), providing expert testimony, treatment of offenders, evaluation of child custody disputes, victim assessment and services, consultation with law enforcement, and research on criminal behaviour, eyewitness memory, and legal decision-making. Forensic psychologists work at the intersection of mental health and the justice system.

What is forensic assessment?

Forensic psychological assessment is evaluation conducted at the request of a court, lawyer, or justice system for a legal purpose — such as determining fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility (the former not criminally responsible defence), risk of reoffending, parenting capacity in custody disputes, or disability assessment for legal purposes. Forensic assessment is importantly different from clinical assessment: the psychologist's primary obligation is to the court, not to the person being evaluated, and the results may not be confidential or in the person's interest.

Does forensic psychology include clinical treatment?

Yes — forensic psychologists may provide treatment as well as assessment. This includes therapy for offenders in correctional settings, treatment for people found not criminally responsible (NCR) in forensic psychiatric facilities, victim services, rehabilitation programs for parolees, and treatment for people with justice involvement who also have mental health needs. Some forensic psychologists in private practice provide psychological assessment for legal purposes rather than ongoing clinical treatment.

When might I be referred to a forensic psychologist?

Referrals to forensic psychologists commonly arise in: criminal proceedings (fitness, NCR assessments), family law matters (parenting capacity, custody evaluations), disability claims (psychological injury assessments for insurance or courts), employment law (harassment, workplace injury), and immigration matters (psychological impact of persecution or violence). Courts, lawyers, and sometimes treating practitioners initiate these referrals rather than clients self-referring.

What ethical issues are unique to forensic psychology?

Forensic psychology involves distinctive ethical tensions: the role conflict between serving the court (or the referring party) and the therapeutic interests of the person being evaluated; the dual relationship issue that arises when a treating therapist is asked to provide forensic testimony about their client; limited confidentiality in assessments ordered by the court; and the challenge of maintaining objectivity when retained by one party in an adversarial proceeding. Canadian guidelines from the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) address forensic ethics specifically.