Forensic Mental Health Evaluations
Objective, court-focused evaluations conducted with the same care and professionalism
Azalea Counseling brings to every client relationship.
What This Service Is
A forensic mental health evaluation is different from ongoing therapy. Rather than providing treatment, our evaluator is asked a specific legal or administrative question, and conducts a structured, objective assessment to help answer it.
These evaluations are often requested by attorneys, courts, employers, or licensing boards, and the resulting report is written for the party who requested it rather than for the individual being evaluated. The report is nonbiased and objective, and does not guarantee any kind of result, regardless of who the requesting party is.
Because the evaluator’s role is to remain neutral, the person being evaluated is a client of the process, not a therapy client in the traditional sense. This distinction shapes how the evaluation is conducted and how the findings are used.
If you are unsure whether your situation calls for a forensic evaluation or for ongoing counseling, reach out and we can help point you in the right direction.
Areas of Evaluation
We tailor each evaluation to the referral question at hand, drawing on structured
interviews, record review, and, when appropriate, standardized testing.
Child Custody & Parental Fitness
Evaluations that assess parenting capacity and family dynamics to help family courts consider the best interests of the child.
Competency Evaluations
Assessments of an individual’s capacity to understand and participate in a legal proceeding.
Risk & Threat Assessments
Evaluation of risk of harm to self or others, often used in safety planning, protective order matters, or school and workplace concerns.
Fitness for Duty Evaluations
Assessments requested by employers or licensing boards to determine whether an individual can safely and effectively perform their job duties.
Psychological Injury Evaluations
Assessment of the emotional and psychological impact of an accident, injury, or traumatic event for personal injury or disability claims.
Substance Use Evaluations
Evaluations addressing substance use concerns connected to legal matters, such as DUI cases, custody disputes, or licensing reviews.
Areas of Evaluation
Why Azalea Counseling
We have been trained by the National Board of Forensic Evaluators to write quality, professional, and competent reports. We adhere to the highest standards, with education and practice in therapeutic standards, psychometric testing, and the legal competencies expected of forensic evaluators and expert witnesses. We are licensed in both Georgia and South Carolina.
How It Works
01
Referral & Intake
It begins with a referral from an attorney or other requesting party, followed by an intake to confirm the specific question being asked.
02
Clinical Interview
A thorough, structured interview gathers relevant history and background related to the referral question.
03
Testing & Record Review
Standardized testing and review of relevant records (medical, legal, school, or employment) are used as needed to inform the findings.
04
Written Report
Findings are compiled into a clear, professional report delivered to the requesting party.
A Note on Confidentiality
Forensic evaluations are not confidential in the way therapy sessions are. Information shared during the evaluation, along with the resulting report, is generally provided to the party who requested the evaluation, such as the court or a referring attorney.
Because the evaluator’s role is to stay objective, they cannot also serve as your treating therapist. If you are looking for ongoing, confidential support, please visit our counseling services page instead.
Have a Referral Question?
If you are an attorney, employer, court representative, or individual with a referral for a
forensic mental health evaluation, we would be glad to talk through the details.
