Description
This introductory training provides participants with a foundational framework for conducting Competency to Stand Trial evaluations. Participants will learn how to conceptualize trial competency, apply the legal standard in California, and structure competency evaluations. The training walks through a stepwise analysis of evaluation results, addresses treatment considerations, and reviews approaches to predicting restoration of competency. Participants will also receive an introduction to forensic report writing, along with best practices and additional resources to support ethical, legally sound evaluations.
Format
Live webinar.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe the legal standard for Competency to Stand Trial in California, including the statutory framework under PC 1368/1369 and its application to forensic evaluations
- Apply a stepwise approach to analyzing competency evaluation results, distinguishing factual and rational understanding and capacity to assist counsel
- Identify key considerations in competency restoration, including treatment options, factors that predict restorability, and best practices for communicating findings in a written report
Outline
- Overview of conceptualizing competency
- Understanding the legal standard in California
- Overview of competency evaluations and assessment tools
- Treatment and predicting restoration to competency
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Psychiatric Technician, Psychologist, Counselor/Therapist, Social Worker, Student (Non-Medical), Peer Specialist
Instructional Level
Introductory
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
Program Release 09/08/2026
Program End Date: 09/08/2026
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. APA maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive up to 1.5 Ethics, Social work practice, knowledge, and skills continuing education credits.
***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has been conducting competency to stand trial evaluations since 2007, and her experience spans both evaluation and treatment of patients at Metropolitan State Hospital. She helped re-design the forensic assessment and treatment program for patients hospitalized as incompetent to stand trial. In addition to her competency work, Dr. Johnson conducts evaluations in criminal and civil matters, including capacity, undue influence, conservatorship, and mental health diversion. From 2012-2023, she served as the lead forensic psychologist at the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center. She currently is on a forensic panel that trains psychologists in violence risk assessment.
- Dr. Fraser completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University in 2015. She then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology at University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2016. She joined the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) system in 2016, and she has worked in Forensic Services at DSH– Atascadero since 2017. In her role in Forensic Services, Dr. Fraser has specialized in competency to stand trial evaluations, and she has also conducted violence risk assessments for Offenders with Mental Health Disorder populations. In 2023, Dr. Fraser took on the role of Senior Psychologist Supervisor of Forensic Services at DSH-Atascadero where she has been involved in enhancing evidenced-based practices related to forensic assessment and improved system efficiency within the hospital. She has also taken on a role in facilitating forensic training for Predoctoral Psychology Interns and Stanford University Forensic Psychiatry Fellows.
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Cohen has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Sherin Khan, LCSW, Thresholds, Chicago. Ms. Khan has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |
Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance