Forensic evaluations
The Process: What to Expect
An evaluation is more than a single meeting; it is a collaborative clinical deep-dive.
Clinical Interviews: Usually consisting of two to three hours of conversation (via secure telehealth) where we discuss your personal, medical, and family history.
Standardized Assessment: I utilize evidence-based psychological tools to provide objective data regarding anxiety, depression, medical and trauma symptoms.
You and your attorney will receive a rigorous, professional document that utilizes a biopsychosocial framework to complete your medical and mental health history with current clinical research and with cultural competency.
Attorney Collaboration: I work closely with your legal team to ensure the report addresses any and all issues.
Why Attorneys Work With Me: I understand the intersection of clinical findings and legal requirements. My background in collaboration with public defense, clinical and substance abuse counselor ensures that every report is thorough and objective.
Detention Visits: I am available to conduct in-person evaluations in Arizona.
Telehealth: I can serve clients across AZ, OR and WA via secure video.
Language: While I am not bilingual, I am experienced in working with professional interpreters.
Our Specialized Areas of Expertise
🎖️ Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Advocacy
The transition from military to civilian life isn’t always a straight line. For those who served, specialized courts exist to address the unique intersections of combat trauma, Moral Injury, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Service-Connected Mitigation: We bridge the gap between military service records and current legal issues, helping veterans access diversionary tracks under statutes like PC 1170.9.
Bridging the VA Gap: We coordinate with VA resources and veteran mentors to build a treatment-heavy sentencing package that honors their service while addressing their needs.
💊 Substance Use & Specialty Courts (CADC Certified)
As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), I provide the clinical weight needed for Drug and Alcohol Courts. We don't just say a client has a "problem"—we prove it with clinical data.
ASAM-Informed Planning: We utilize the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to recommend specific, evidence-based levels of care.
Alternative Sentencing: For clients in Drug Court, we advocate for medically managed recovery plans as an alternative to incarceration, proving that the client is a candidate for change, not just a risk to be managed.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ Competent Mitigation
The legal system often carries implicit biases that disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ individuals. We provide SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) competent advocacy.
Minority Stress & Trauma: We contextualize a client’s history through the lens of identity-based trauma, family rejection, and systemic discrimination.
Gender-Affirming Advocacy: For transgender or non-binary clients, we ensure the court understands the clinical necessity of affirming care and the specific safety risks posed by traditional carceral settings.
The Final Opportunity for Truth The Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) is often the primary document a judge relies on. When that report is written by a probation officer who lacks clinical training or cultural competency, the results can be devastating. Our PSR Intervention service acts as a clinical "audit" and "counter-narrative" to ensure the court has a complete and accurate history.
FAQS section:
How many sessions are required for an evaluation? Most evaluations require two to three sessions, totaling about 3 to 4 hours of clinical interviewing. This ensures we have enough time to build a comfortable alliance and gather the detailed history needed for a high-quality report without feeling rushed.
Is the information I share during an evaluation confidential? Yes, within the bounds of clinical ethics and the law. However, please keep in mind that the final report is specifically intended to be shared with your attorney and the court as evidence. We will discuss the limits of confidentiality during our first meeting to ensure you feel safe and informed.
Can evaluations be done virtually? Yes. I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth evaluations for clients residing anywhere in Arizona, Oregon or Washington. This allows you to participate from the privacy and comfort of your own home.
How much does it cost? To support your journey with transparency and care, I offer an all-inclusive fee of $1,200 for a comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluation, which covers all clinical interviews, record reviews, and the final report. This is separate from your legal fees with attorneys.
Payment plans: I utilize a three-step payment plan: an initial $200 deposit to begin our work together, a $500 when the report is finalized and the final $500 the following month. This approach ensures you receive a high-quality, professional narrative for your case while providing a clear and predictable financial path forward for you and your family.
We take credit cards, payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, Cash app), and cash.
Interpreter friendly
Will visit detention centers in AZ. ($300 flat fee)
Testify fee is a full fee and charge of 4 hours ($1100)
Support letter from client is one clinical hour ($275)
Will insurance cover it? Unfortunately, filing is not billable by insurance companies in the US as it’s considered a legal matter. The process of writing an interview will take over eight hours. This includes writing the evaluation, working with attorneys, coordinating research and identifying appropriate assessments and evaluations.
Do you offer expedited evaluations? Yes, we can talk about additional fees if the report is needed in two weeks or less. If you need your report finished you can pay a rush fee of $150.
Cancellation policy: I require at least 48 hours’ notice for any cancellations or rescheduling. The deposit is non-refundable. A fee of $200 is charged if you do not attend your session or need to cancel with less than 48 hours notice. When you make the appointment, we require that you store your credit card information with us to hold your appointment. We will never charge your credit card without your permission.
Narrative Evidence for Complex Legal Cases
What is Private Mitigation? While the legal system often focuses solely on the "what" of a case, a Private Mitigation Specialist focuses on the "why." We provide a thorough biopsychosocial exploration of a defendant’s life to present a complete, humanized picture to the court. Our goal is to bridge the gap between a criminal charge and the human being behind it, advocating for justice that considers the whole person. At In The Mind LLC, I provide comprehensive clinical evaluations for individuals and families across Arizona, Oregon and Washington. My goal is to bridge the gap between your personal experience and the legal requirements of the court, ensuring your story is heard with dignity and clinical precision.