private psychosexual evaluations

What is a Psychosexual Evaluation?
This is an assessment of whether an individual who is accused of sexually inappropriate conduct has a risk of engaging in sexual misconduct in the future. These evaluations address the psychological problems that led to the sexual misconduct, deviant sexual interests, and risk assessment, and then offer recommendations about treatment and management.

Who should have a Psychosexual Evaluation?
Criminal defendants can often benefit from this type of assessment because the results might positively influence the defense at trial, negotiations for a plea agreement, or develop mitigation for a sentencing hearing. Because this is a privately retained evaluation through the defense attorney, the defendant's statements to the doctor are covered under lawyer-client privilege and cannot be used as evidence against the defendant.

In some cases, parents who have been accused of sexual misconduct in the context of a custody hearing or by the Department of Social Services / Child Protective Services might also benefit from a psychosexual evaluation.

I am being falsely accused -- would this type of evaluation help me?
In most cases, the answer is no. A psychologist cannot tell whether you did or did not commit a crime. A good or bad test result does not prove anything about your conduct in the past. For the most part, these evaluations are helpful for people who admit they did something wrong even if it is not exactly what they have been accused of.

What happens during the evaluation?
Dr. Nelson usually conducts three to six hours of interviews with the subject. In addition, specialized tests will be given. The test battery varies based upon the individual but often includes measures of IQ, reading ability, personality traits, sexual history, sexual deviance, and risk assessment. With permission, Dr. Nelson will also interview by telephone other witnesses, such as a wife or girlfriend, and write off to retrieve records of any prior mental health treatment, and of course review the records describing the alleged sexual misconduct.

How much does it cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of case but in most instances Dr. Nelson charges a flat fee rather than an hourly rate so that the attorney and the person being assessed know the cost up front. The flat fee includes the interviewing, testing, record reviewing, report writing, and basic consultation with the attorney. The flat fee does not include the sexual history polygraph or testimony. Please call for more specifics about the cost of the type of evaluation which is right for you.

Forensic Psychology Associates, P.C.
5900 Harbour Park Drive
Midlothian, VA 23112
www.psylaw.com

(804)739-4669
FAX (804) 739-6725
info@psylaw.com

Dr. Evan Nelson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP). He has been conducting sex offender evaluations and treatment since 1991, and was among the first clinicians to receive the CSOTP designation when it came about in 1998. Dr. Nelson has testified extensively throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in both the state and federal courts, and for both the defense and prosecution.

Our Psychosexual Lab
FPA has state-of-the art tests for assessing sexual deviancy. Our lab includes:

Monarch 21 Penile Plethysmograph (PPG): this is a test of a male's sexual arousal in response to pictures and audio.
ABEL Assessment of Sexual Interest (AASI-2), and Abel-Blasingame Assessment System for Individuals with Disabilities
Affinity Measure of Sexual Interest

In addition, we offer on-site sexual history polygraphs (lie detector tests) once per month.

Please note that the lab is only used as part of a comprehensive psychosexual evaluation. These tests are never given in isolation. However, defendants and patients who are already working with a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) can have just these tests done as a consultation and have the results sent back to their clinician.

Sex Offender Treatment
FPA offers limited sex offender treatment. However, we are affiliated with www.group-therapy-center.com and they provide individual and group sex offender treatment at our office building.