2023 NBFE-AMHCA Certification Workshop Hybrid Event

Course overview

In partnership with the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, Inc. (NBFE) announces our exclusive forensic mental health evaluator certification training event on Friday, 06/26/23 Online via Zoom & In-Person (Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana), enabling mental health professionals across the country to attend remotely. NBFE is the only forensic certification organization officially endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). Forensic mental health evaluation is an impactful and lucrative area of specialization for licensed mental health professionals, yet few counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists are exposed to this unique specialty in their graduate training. Whether you plan on working full time in forensics or just wish to supplement your practice with an additional funding stream, this credential can help you establish yourself as a forensic expert. If you already work in the forensic field, this credential can boost your resume, sharpen your evaluation skills, and enhance your reputation as an expert. Participants will: Learn about the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, the Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator credential, and the certification process. Participants will articulate an understanding of the certification and credentialing process for the Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) credential. Participants will define "forensic mental health evaluation" and describe differences between forensic and clinical evaluations, ethical considerations for forensic evaluation, types of forensic mental health evaluations, and qualifications for administering and interpreting psychological tests. Participants will summarize subject matter incorporated into the CFMHE written examination, including Parental Alienation Syndrome and child custody cases, assessment and testing principles, psychopathic traits, domestic violence, competency to stand trial, malingering, civil commitment, laws and standards of forensic mental health evaluation, assessment of violence and suicide potential, interviewing techniques, personal injury cases, juvenile assessment, substance abuse evaluation, sexual abuse, expert witness standards, and resources to learn more. Participants will write a quality forensic evaluation report. Participants will describe tips and strategies for the oral examination and expert witness testimony. Participants will identify tests that can be used for forensic applications. Note that attendance at this workshop is not the only step in the certification process. Attendees must also complete an online application, submit three reference letters, submit proof of licensure for at least one full year (associate, intern, and provisional license status will not meet this requirement unless the applicant is legally permitted to diagnose and treat mental disorders without being under the supervision of another licensed mental health professional), submit proof of malpractice insurance, document 40 hours of forensic-related training and/or experience (e.g., CEs, time spent conducting evaluations, writing reports, court testimony, etc.), pass the written examination (administered at the end of the workshop), submit a sample report, and pass the oral examination (done via webcam online) as depicted in the graphic below and on our website. Most attendees already have the 40 hours experience (i.e., work-related experience or training experience) prior to attending the workshop, but many do not. If an attendee does not already have 40 hours of forensic experience, he or she may apply 8 hours from by attending this workshop and then obtain the remaining hours through other means after the workshop by attending training events on forensic mental health-related topics with any approved CE provider (NBFE is not responsible for any additional costs incurred during that process).