An Examination of the Differences Between Forensic Examiners and Forensic Therapists

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study examined the trajectory of forensic psychologists’ careers, as well as personality characteristic differences, between those forensic mental health professionals who choose to work primarily as therapists (treating forensic patients) versus evaluators (performing evaluations of persons in criminal and civil proceedings). The study surveyed graduate students and professionals (N = 151) who indicated that their work primarily involves forensic psychology. Results revealed that current graduate students differed from professionals regarding the trajectory of their study. Personality differences emerged between forensic therapists and evaluators. In particular, the results from this survey suggest that forensic evaluators prefer rigidity while forensic therapists are more comfortable in ambivalent situations. Research should build upon the current study by identifying forensic psychologists who might be best suited for either conducting evaluations or therapy.