Forensic Psychology & Ethics

Parole psychology is a field that studies and supports the psychological factors involved in parole decisions and the process of reintegrating into society afterward.

A legal defense arguing that due to a mental illness or psychological condition, a person lacked full judgment at the time of the crime, which can serve as grounds for a reduced sentence.

The duty to warn is a legal and ethical obligation requiring a counselor to break confidentiality and notify a potential victim when a client poses a serious threat of harm to a specific, identifiable person.

Informed consent is the process of receiving a thorough explanation of the counseling or treatment process, methods, costs, and risks before you begin, and then voluntarily agreeing to participate. It is an important procedure that respects your right to know and your freedom to choose.

A field of psychology focused on supporting the mental health of incarcerated individuals and reducing reoffending through evidence-based programs and care.

Malingering refers to intentionally fabricating or exaggerating symptoms to gain external benefits. Distinguishing it from genuine illness is an important and nuanced area of assessment.

Assessing competency is the professional process of evaluating whether an individual has the mental capacity to understand their legal rights and make meaningful decisions within legal proceedings.

A moral dilemma is a conflict situation where two or more moral values clash, making it impossible to say any choice is completely right. No matter what you choose, some moral cost remains.

This is the study of how accurately a witness's memory and testimony match what actually happened at a crime scene. It reveals that our memories can change much more easily than we think.

A field that studies how the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney — read at the time of arrest — psychologically affect individuals, and whether people can truly understand and exercise these rights.

A legal process used when someone is in severe mental health crisis and may be at serious risk to themselves or others.

Jury psychology studies what psychological factors influence jurors when making judgments in a trial. Understanding the human mind deeply is essential for ensuring a fair trial.

Offender rehabilitation is the process of providing psychological and social support to help people who have committed crimes reintegrate healthily into society.

A structured interview conducted for legal purposes, used to accurately and safely collect statements from victims of child abuse or other crimes without leading or influencing their responses.

A specialized psychological evaluation conducted to answer legal questions, systematically analyzing competency to stand trial, risk level, mental state, and related issues.

The promise that what you share in therapy will be protected and not casually shared with others.

Involuntary hospitalization occurs when a person is admitted to a psychiatric facility without their consent during a mental health crisis, and is a measure taken to protect life when there is serious risk of self-harm or harm to others.

The promise that what you share in therapy will stay protected unless there is a serious safety or legal exception.

Sex offender treatment is a specialized therapeutic process that addresses the psychological causes behind sexual offending to prevent reoffending and help individuals develop healthier behavioral patterns.

Fitness to Practice refers to the evaluation of whether a mental health professional's physical, psychological, and ethical condition is suitable for providing safe and effective services to clients.

A psychological autopsy is a systematic post-mortem investigation into a deceased person's psychological state and the circumstances of their death, used to determine whether a death was a suicide and to understand how it came about.

Mandatory reporting of child abuse is a legal requirement that certain professionals must report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It serves as a social safety net designed to protect children's safety and well-being.

A professional evaluation used in custody disputes to understand what arrangement may best support a child’s safety and well-being.

Risk assessment is the systematic process of evaluating how likely an individual is to harm themselves or others, in order to plan appropriate prevention and intervention strategies.

A professional process of evaluating the likelihood that an individual may harm themselves or others, in order to establish appropriate protective measures.

Mandatory reporting refers to the legal obligation that professionals must report to relevant authorities in specific situations such as child abuse or risk of self-harm and suicide.

A dual relationship occurs when a counselor and client share another relationship outside of counseling — such as being friends or business partners — at the same time. This situation should be avoided to protect the objectivity of counseling and the well-being of the client.

Suicide risk assessment is the process of systematically evaluating a person's current level of risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior and planning appropriate interventions. It is a critically important procedure aimed at protecting and preserving life.

A legal standard for whether a defendant can understand court proceedings and work with a lawyer to participate in their defense.

Professional boundaries refer to the appropriate limits and norms that must be maintained to preserve a healthy relationship between a counselor and a client.

Professional ethics are the moral principles and behavioral standards that mental health professionals must follow to protect clients and maintain their expertise.

A mental health professional who provides testimony and opinions based on psychological expertise in court, helping the judge or jury reach informed decisions.

A professional process of assessing a person's mental state within legal proceedings. It plays a crucial role in determining criminal responsibility and mental condition during trials.

Mental health literacy means having accurate knowledge about mental health and knowing how to seek appropriate help when problems arise. Understanding the basics of mental well-being is the essential first step.

A legal framework that protects the rights of people with mental health conditions and ensures they receive appropriate treatment and support.

This is a law created to protect the human rights, welfare, and social reintegration of people with mental illness. It has evolved to strengthen the requirements for involuntary hospitalization and to respect individuals' right to self-determination.

A legal defense claiming that due to a severe mental illness at the time of the crime, the person was unable to understand that their actions were wrong.

A field that studies the psychological processes—including memory, perception, and emotion—of witnesses who testify in court, in order to understand the accuracy and reliability of their testimony.

Therapeutic Jurisprudence is the study of how laws and legal procedures affect people's psychological well-being, and how the law can serve a healing role.

Victimology is the study of crime victims' psychological experiences, recovery processes, and rights protection. It is a field dedicated to listening to victims' voices and providing them with meaningful, practical support.

False confession is when a person who did not actually commit a crime admits to doing it due to psychological pressure or various other reasons. It occurs more often than most people would expect.

The study of psychological mechanisms that lead innocent people to falsely confess to crimes they did not commit. It reveals how the human mind can be destabilized under extreme circumstances.

An approach that focuses on healing relationships and restoring well-being rather than punishment when harm has been caused by wrongdoing. Victims, offenders, and the community come together to participate in a shared process of healing.