About Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is defined as "the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena". Psychologists in this field assess, diagnose, treat, and make recommendations about individuals within the legal system. Forensic psychologists work with judges, attorney's, crime victims, witnesses, and more to explain and analyze the psychological aspects.

Responsibilities that vary due to population:

• incarcerated adults and juvenile individuals
• adolescents at risk of entering the legal system
• suvivors of sexual or physical abuse
• people with substance misuse and mental conditions
• people who have expirienced trauma
• people who need help with anger managemnet and impulse control

How to Become a Forensic Psychologist

1. Education: A doctorate degree is required to pursue forensic psychology, generally a Psy.D is earned (aka a doctor of psychology).
2. Licensure: There is no special license beyond clinical psychology, however, the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology is still required which may vary between states.
3. Board Certifacation: The Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) offers a special board certification, which is not required however sets someone above others. It is required to meet the exams standards and take the 3 hour oral and written exam if desired.
4. Preprofessional Expirience: The time spent after recieving your doctoral within interships, fellowships, or supervised expirience is what differenciates someone from a general psychologist (1-2 years). During this time one will expirience administering forensic psychological assemssment, violence risk assessments, evaluate defendents competency to stand trial, attend seminars, mock trials, research, and etc.

Tuition

Generally, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) is a 4-6 year program and typically costs $11,000-$38,000. However, prices vary due to schools and states.

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Skills

The skills required to succeed as a forensic psychologist differ slightly from a clinical or counseling psychologist. Natural empathetic disposition leads many students to pursue a psychology career, you must learn to balance compassion with objectivity. This is important beacause the psychological assessments will be used for legal purposes, such as prosecution and determining custody agreements leading to drastic changes on peoples lives. Objectivity is also important because, you will likely build relationships with judges and lawyers causing it to be more difficult to remain unbiased. As a forensic psychologist, you may often have to interact with individuals that have committed violent crimes and reamining a professionsal front may be difficult.