Forensic Assessment
Forensic psychological assessments yield an expert opinion on an individual’s psychological functioning and behavior as they relate to legal matters. Dr. Guarino has extensive experience conducting assessments in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, college counseling centers, county mental health agencies, and in private practice. Dr. Guarino’s role in these assessments is to remain an objective evaluator whose opinion will help inform the court or other parties. It is important to note that forensic evaluations are not covered by insurance.
Dr. Guarino currently offers the following forensic assessment services:
Violence Risk Assessments and Psychosexual Assessments
These evaluations help determine an individual’s risk for violence and risk for sexual reoffending. Dr. Guarino’s experience conducting these evaluations includes work on adult psychiatric inpatient units for individuals adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) and Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST). The assessment process typically involves a review of available records (e.g., discovery, treatment notes and reports), collateral interviews, a clinical interview, and administration of relevant psychological measures. The process concludes with a report detailing those risk factors increasing the likelihood of reoffending while also highlighting those protective factors that help ameliorate risk.
Juvenile Evaluations
These assessments are for youth who have engaged in violence and/or who have engaged in harmful sexual behavior. Dr. Guarino’s work at a county agency conducting and testifying on court-ordered post-adjudication evaluations has helped inform intervention, including youths’ participation in detention diversion programs and receipt of appropriate mental health services. These evaluations typically include review of discovery, collateral interviews, a clinical interview, and administration of cognitive and psychological measures.
Criminal Responsibility and Competency Evaluations
In criminal cases, defendants’ state of mind at the time of the alleged offense and their ability to participate meaningfully in their own defense can significantly impact disposition. Dr. Guarino’s training and experience in conducting these evaluations in combination with his experience working with individuals adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) and Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) positions him well to understand the nuances of these assessments. These evaluations include a review of discovery and collateral records (medical, mental health, or institutional records), collateral interviews, an interview of the defendant, and as indicated, psychological testing.
Pre-employment and Fitness-for-duty Evaluations
These assessments help inform employers’ opinion to hire or retain an individual. Dr. Guarino’s experience includes conducting more than three dozen pre-employment evaluations for police officer and firefighter candidates. Further, Dr. Guarino has completed fitness-for-duty evaluations for individuals seeking to return to work following traumatic events, mental health crises, and substance abuse.