If you have been ordered by a court to undergo a psychosexual evaluation, you may be wondering what exactly is involved in this comprehensive assessment process. Psychosexual evaluations are conducted by licensed forensic psychologists to assess risk factors and inform legal decisions.
Knowing what to expect during these in-depth exams can help you prepare. Here is an overview of the psychosexual evaluation process:
Purposes of a Psychosexual Assessment
There are a few main purposes for a court-mandated psychosexual evaluation:
- Assess risk of reoffending for sexual crimes
- Evaluate amenability for treatment
These evaluations provide an assessment of recidivism risk, protective factors, and treatment recommendations.
Information Gathering and Interviews
During the evaluation, the psychologist will first gather history by interviewing you about:
- Personal and family background
- Education and employment history
- Physical and mental health
- Substance abuse history
- Prior criminal charges
- Details about current offenses
- Sexual history and interests
- Treatment history
You will also complete interviews and questionnaires to assess psychological functioning. The evaluator will gather collateral information from sources like court documents, victim statements, health records, prior assessments, and police reports.
Psychological Testing
The exam will include several validated tests to evaluate mental status, personality traits, and propensity towards criminal behaviors, such as the MMPI-2 and Static 99R. The psychologist may also administer specialized tests to assess deviant sexual interests and patterns of arousal, such as penile plethysmography or the Abel Assessment.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Finally, the psychologist will analyze all the data gathered to assess the nature and severity of sexual deviance along with risk factors. The evaluation concludes with recommendations regarding community supervision, treatment, and potential risk.
Our Psychosexual Evaluation Services
At PCS Forensic, our licensed psychologists in Phoenix have conducted hundreds of psychosexual evaluations. We have extensive experience serving as expert witnesses and providing comprehensive assessments for:
- Criminal sexual offenses
- Sexually violent person determinations
- Child custody disputes involving abuse accusations
- Treatment progress evaluations
- Fitness for duty evaluations
We adhere to strict ethical guidelines and use validated testing methods tailored to each client. To learn more about our psychosexual evaluation services in Phoenix, contact us online or call us at (480) 777-8807.
