Forensic Psychologist In Westgate, FL
Experienced Expert Witness Services and Comprehensive Forensic Evaluations for All Legal Proceedings
Meet the Team
Dr. Cathy Colet
Forensic PsychologistDr. Cathy Colet is a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and founder of Forensic and Clinical PsychExperts, LLC.
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Dr. Lauren Miller
Clinical and Forensic NeuropsychologistDr. Miller has nearly 20 years of experience as a clinician, consultant, lecturer, and writer.
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Dr. Matthew J. Jalazo
Forensic PsychologistDr. Matthew J. Jalazo is a licensed psychologist who has practiced forensic psychology on a full-time basis for the last fifteen years.
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Dr. Elizabeth Woodruff
TherapistA distinguished Licensed Clinical Social Worker, embarked on her academic journey at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Read MoreNext Steps: How to Begin Your Forensic Psychology Evaluation
Starting a forensic evaluation can feel overwhelming, especially when legal matters create stress and uncertainty. Understanding the process removes confusion and helps you move forward confidently.
The first step involves contacting our office to schedule an initial consultation. During this conversation, we discuss your legal situation, the type of evaluation needed, and the specific questions the assessment must address. Different legal matters require different evaluation approaches. Criminal cases might need competency assessment, sanity evaluation, or mitigation evaluation. Family law matters often require custody evaluation. Civil cases may involve different psychological assessments. Clarifying your needs allows us to explain the appropriate evaluation process.
Providing background information helps us prepare. When you schedule your evaluation, we ask for relevant documents including court orders, legal pleadings, prior psychological records, medical records, and other materials that provide context. You do not need everything before scheduling, gathering documents can continue after your appointment is set. The more complete the information, the more thorough our assessment can be.
Understanding evaluation logistics reduces anxiety. We explain how long the evaluation will take, whether it requires one session or multiple appointments, what types of questions we will ask, and what psychological testing might be involved. Knowing what to expect makes the actual evaluation less stressful. Most people find the evaluation process straightforward once they understand the structure.
Discussing timeline and costs creates clarity. Legal matters operate on specific timelines. Courts set hearing dates, attorneys need reports by certain dates, and delays can jeopardize case outcomes. We discuss realistic timelines for completing your evaluation and delivering the report. Fee discussion happens during this initial consultation as well, ensuring you understand costs before proceeding. Transparency about timing and pricing allows informed decisions.
Scheduling happens based on urgency and availability. Some evaluations need to happen quickly because of approaching court dates. Others allow more flexible scheduling. We work to accommodate your timeline needs. Our practice dedicates seventy five percent of time to forensic work, which means we have greater availability than practices that primarily focus on therapy and only occasionally conduct forensic evaluations.
Preparing for your evaluation session improves the experience. We provide guidance about what to bring, how long to expect the session to last, and what areas the evaluation will cover. Simple preparation like getting adequate rest, arriving on time, and bringing relevant documents helps the evaluation proceed smoothly.
Following through with scheduled appointments ensures timely completion. Forensic evaluations sometimes require multiple sessions, particularly for comprehensive custody evaluations or extensive mitigation assessments. Keeping all scheduled appointments prevents delays that might affect your legal matter. If scheduling conflicts arise, communicating promptly allows us to adjust while still meeting legal deadlines.
After evaluation completion, we prepare comprehensive written reports addressing the legal questions. Report turnaround time varies based on evaluation complexity, but we communicate expected timelines and deliver reports when promised. If your case proceeds to hearing or trial, we provide expert testimony explaining our findings.
The entire process, from initial contact through report delivery and testimony if needed, follows professional standards ensuring quality and defensibility. Taking the first step by reaching out begins this process.
Why Choose FC PsychExperts for Your Forensic Needs
Credentials and experience distinguish qualified forensic psychologists from mental health providers who lack specialized expertise. FC PsychExperts meets the highest professional standards for forensic psychology practice.
Florida licensure provides the foundation for all psychological services. Our psychologist holds license PY9058, representing completion of doctoral education in psychology, extensive supervised training, passage of comprehensive licensing examinations, and ongoing continuing education. This licensure ensures accountability to state regulatory oversight and adherence to professional ethical standards. Florida law restricts certain forensic services to doctoral level licensed psychologists, making licensure essential for credible expert work.
Forensic specialization demonstrates genuine expertise rather than occasional dabbling in forensic work. Since 2008, our psychologist has concentrated the majority of practice time on forensic evaluation and expert testimony. This seventeen year focus represents over 40,000 hours of forensic psychology work. Seventy five percent of our practice involves forensic services rather than clinical therapy. This dedication means we maintain current knowledge of legal standards, understand courtroom procedures thoroughly, and bring practiced efficiency to every evaluation.
Professional organization memberships reflect commitment to specialized areas within forensic psychology. The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) demonstrates expertise in child maltreatment assessment, relevant to many family law and criminal cases. Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) provides specialized knowledge in sexual offender evaluation and risk assessment. Association of Family and Conciliation Court (AFCC) connects us with best practices in custody evaluation and family law matters. American Psychological Association (APA) maintains our connection to broader psychology profession standards. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) reflects commitment to ethical forensic practice. These memberships require active participation and continuing education, not simply paying dues.
Court appointments throughout Florida verify judicial confidence in our work. Judges in the 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th judicial circuits have appointed FC PsychExperts to conduct evaluations in their courts. Judges carefully select court appointed experts, choosing psychologists they trust to provide objective, thorough assessment. These appointments across multiple circuits demonstrate wide recognition of our qualifications and reliability.
Extensive testimony experience translates to courtroom effectiveness. Over one thousand cases of expert witness testimony have exposed us to diverse cross examination strategies, varied courtroom environments, and different types of legal proceedings. This experience builds confidence that allows composed testimony even under aggressive questioning. We explain complex psychological concepts in language judges and juries understand. Our testimony withstands scrutiny because it rests on sound methodology and thorough assessment.
Comprehensive service range allows us to address diverse forensic needs. We conduct evaluations across criminal law, family law, civil litigation, and juvenile matters. This breadth means attorneys can rely on FC PsychExperts for varied case types rather than searching for different experts for different legal domains. Our experience spans competency evaluations, sanity assessments, custody evaluations, risk assessments, mitigation evaluations, and other specialized forensic services.
Local expertise benefits clients practically. Understanding Palm Beach County court procedures, knowing local judges and their expectations, and maintaining professional relationships throughout the legal community all contribute to effective service. Our established presence means we navigate the local legal system efficiently while bringing statewide experience to every case.
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The Therapy Process
Step 1: Intake and Assessment
We begin with a full review of your court order, case history, and emotional needs.
Step 2: Customized Treatment Plan
Our team creates a personalized therapy plan that satisfies court conditions and targets underlying issues.
Step 3: Ongoing Sessions
Clients participate in structured sessions focused on emotional insight, accountability, and skill-building.
Step 4: Progress Documentation
We provide timely updates including attendance logs, progress notes, and final letters for court submission.
Step 5: Completion and Support
Once therapy requirements are fulfilled, we issue official documentation and offer continued care options for those who want ongoing support.
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Ten Common Situations Requiring Expert Forensic Psychology
- You are defending a client whose mental state or competency is central to the case and you need evaluation from a psychologist whose credentials and testimony will withstand aggressive cross examination.
- You are navigating a custody dispute where objective psychological evaluation would provide evidence to counter false allegations or document legitimate concerns about the other parent.
- You are facing criminal charges and your attorney has explained that comprehensive psychological evaluation could significantly impact your case through competency assessment, sanity evaluation, or mitigation evidence.
- You are a prosecutor who needs credible expert testimony about a defendant’s dangerousness, mental state, or psychological factors relevant to achieving just outcomes.
- You are involved in family court proceedings where the other parent’s substance abuse, mental illness, or concerning behavior toward your children requires professional documentation.
- You are handling a juvenile case where psychological evaluation will inform critical decisions about appropriate legal venue, sentencing options, and treatment versus punishment approaches.
- You are working on a case involving sexual offense allegations where specialized risk assessment using validated instruments will significantly influence sentencing recommendations, civil commitment proceedings, or supervision requirements.
- You are dealing with a Miranda rights issue where evaluation of your client’s capacity to understand and waive constitutional rights could result in suppression of damaging statements.
- You are involved in involuntary commitment proceedings where thorough evaluation will determine whether psychiatric hospitalization meets legal standards while protecting individual rights.
- You are handling civil litigation where psychological injury claims, emotional distress damages, or capacity questions require expert assessment and testimony to establish or defend against claimed damages.
Forensic and Clinical Psychology Services
We are proud to offer a wide range of specialized forensic psychology services to meet the needs of the judicial and legal systems. Our team of experienced forensic psychologists provides personalized assessments, expert testimony, consultation, and training.
Forensic Evaluations
Our experts provide services to defense attorneys and prosecutors in a variety of areas of criminal law. Criminal Law CasesCompetence to Stand TrialCriminal Responsibility…
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Neuropsychological Evaluations
A Neuropsychological Evaluation looks at how the brain works. Possible reasons for a neuropsychological evaluation (not limited to):Traumatic Brain InjurySports ConcussionAlzheimer’s…
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Psychoeducational Testing
A psychoeducational evaluation offers a snapshot of a child’s current cognitive and educational functioning. The psychologist will need a thorough history…
Find out MoreServing Westgate and West Palm Beach Communities
FC PsychExperts proudly serves Westgate residents and the broader West Palm Beach community. Our practice provides accessible, professional forensic psychology services for this area of Palm Beach County.
Westgate is a thriving community in western West Palm Beach, characterized by diverse residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and convenient access to major thoroughfares. The area’s location provides easy reach to downtown West Palm Beach, proximity to Okeechobee Boulevard and major highways, and connection to Palm Beach County’s resources and services.
We understand the community we serve. Westgate residents face various legal challenges requiring forensic psychology expertise, from criminal matters to family law disputes to civil litigation. Our comprehensive services address the full range of legal proceedings bringing community members into contact with the court system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a forensic psychologist qualified to testify as an expert witness?
Expert witness qualification requires specific credentials and experience. Florida courts look for doctoral level psychology licensure, specialized training in forensic psychology, experience conducting the specific type of evaluation at issue, familiarity with relevant legal standards, and a track record of providing competent expert testimony. Courts also consider professional memberships, publications if any, and whether the psychologist dedicates significant practice time to forensic work. FC PsychExperts meets all these qualification standards through our Florida license, seventeen years of forensic specialization, extensive testimony experience, and active professional memberships.
How confidential is information shared during forensic evaluation?
Forensic evaluation is not confidential in the same way therapy is. The fundamental purpose differs. Therapy serves your treatment interests and communications remain confidential with limited exceptions. Forensic evaluation serves the court’s need for information, and findings are disclosed to attorneys, courts, and potentially opposing parties. We explain these limits during informed consent before beginning evaluation. You should discuss any concerns about what information to share with your attorney before the evaluation. Understanding confidentiality limits allows informed decisions about participation.
Can I get a copy of my forensic evaluation report?
Report distribution follows legal and ethical guidelines. The party who retained the evaluation typically receives the report first. In court ordered evaluations, the report goes to the court and parties as directed by the court order. If you were evaluated, you generally have a right to access your report, though the timing and method of access may vary. Discuss report access with your attorney, who can advise you about your rights and the best way to obtain a copy. We comply with legal requirements regarding report distribution while protecting the integrity of the forensic process.
What happens if I don’t agree to participate in a court ordered evaluation?
Refusing a court ordered evaluation carries potential consequences. Courts have authority to order evaluations in appropriate circumstances. Refusing to comply with court orders can result in sanctions, negative inferences about what evaluation might have shown, or other legal consequences depending on the case type. In criminal cases, refusing competency evaluation might lead to a competency determination without the benefit of thorough assessment. In custody cases, refusal often leads judges to draw negative conclusions. Before refusing any court ordered evaluation, consult with your attorney about potential ramifications and whether any valid objections exist.
How can I prepare for my forensic evaluation appointment?
Good preparation improves the evaluation experience. Get adequate rest the night before so you can focus during the session. Arrive on time, as evaluations follow tight schedules and late arrival may require rescheduling. Bring any documents we requested and any materials you think might be relevant. Be prepared to answer questions honestly and thoroughly. Understand that the evaluation serves legal purposes rather than therapeutic ones. Discuss any concerns with your attorney before the evaluation rather than during it. If you take medications that affect cognitive functioning, discuss timing with us to ensure fair assessment. Approaching the evaluation as a professional process requiring your full engagement leads to the most accurate results.
Contact FC PsychExperts for Forensic Psychology Services in Westgate
When you need an experienced forensic psychologist in Westgate, FL for evaluations that meet legal standards and testimony that strengthens your position, trust the seventeen years of specialized expertise and proven track record of FC PsychExperts.