Psychological Services
F.I.R.E. Igniting Lives Psychology provides evaluations and expert testimony in criminal, civil (family and personal injury), and court-martial cases involving a broad range of forensic issues. Dr. Rogers and Dr. Caro are SMEs in the areas of DEI, SMI, threat, trauma, and other subspecialties in clinical and forensic psychology. Therapeutically, the firm provides an array of interventions with an emphasis in cognitive-behavioral therapy and its derivatives. All psychological services can be performed in both English and in Spanish.
Clinical Evaluations:
Clinical evaluations are used to comprehensively understand an individual and evaluate their
functioning on various levels. These psychological assessments vary depending on the referral
question which may include the following:
Diagnostic Clarification - The goal of this type of evaluation is to further understand an individual’s psychological functioning which guides treatment and intervention. Evaluations aim to assess psychological symptoms and experiences for clarifying a mental health diagnosis.
Independent Education Evaluation - This evaluation is conducted at the request of a parent who would like their child to be assessed for a variety of potential areas of functioning impacting
academic performance (i.e., IQ, learning disorders, special education eligibility). This evaluation
can be requested by a parent who disagrees with their child’s assessment conducted by the
school. School observations are a key aspect of what sets this evaluation apart from the two subsequent evaluations.
Intellectual Disability - This evaluation assesses for the presence of an intellectual disability by
administering an intelligence and adaptive functioning measures in addition to tests gauging functioning in additional key areas.
Learning Disorders - The aim of this type of evaluation is to test an individual’s intellectual
capacity as well as skills (i.e., academic, social, speech) and explore areas that may be impacting their performance in various settings (i.e., academic, employment). Results can inform necessary accommodations or interventions.
Neuropsychological Screener - This psychological assessment includes the administration of
various tests that assess intellectual and cognitive (i.e., attention, memory, executive functioning,
working memory, language, processing speed, motor functioning) functioning in service of identifying deficits that may be suggestive of impaired functioning requiring additional exploration.
Nexus Letters: This is a diagnostic clarification evaluation for individuals who have performed military services.
Pre-Employment - These evaluations provide employers with an assessment on a candidate’s fit
for employment at their site.
Forensic Evaluations:
Forensic Evaluations are psychological assessments that deal with a variety of referral questions
that can arise within the intersection of the mental health and legal systems. Requests for forensic
evaluations can be made by the accused, court, prosecution, and defense. The firm approaches
these evaluations from a biopsychosocial approach, meaning biological factors, mental health
functioning, and environmental influences are assessed to explore their impact (i.e., aggravating
factors, mitigating factors) on the case and best assist with the issue being questioned. Type of
referral questions for forensic evaluations include:
Class Action Lawsuit - This referral assesses the psychological impacts experienced by a large group of people in a class, often related to issues where the plaintiffs share a common injury or experience that can be attributed to the defendant's actions.
Competency to Stand Trial (adults and youth) - These evaluations assess an individual's present ability and capacity to factually and rationally understand the criminal proceedings against them and assist in their own defense. In the case of youth, the impact of developmental immaturity on competency is further considered.
Consultation / Educational Expert - When serving as an expert, the psychologist may educate the parties involved in the legal case (i.e., Court, district attorney, defense, jury) of the factors at play in a case (i.e., trauma, brain development, racial identity) through a report based on a comprehensive review of an individual’s records and research, testimony, or both. As a consultant on a case, the psychologist may work to assist the retaining party with various aspects of a legal case including critique of another expert’s work, cross-examination questions, and/or recommendations. The psychologist is generally retained due to their expertise in a particular area.
Criminal Responsibility (i.e., Insanity) - In this type of specialized evaluation, the accused’s
mental state at the time of the offense is assessed to help determine if they should be held criminally responsible for the alleged offense.
Fitness for Duty - Evaluation assessing an employee’s (i.e., law enforcement officer, active duty
military) psychological functioning to determine if they are capable to carry out their
employment responsibilities as required.
Mental Health Diversion (adults and youth) - Psychological assessment evaluating if an individual has a mental disorder that played a significant part in the alleged crime and thus would benefit from participation in an alternative to incarceration program, particularly mental health diversion.
Personal Injury - This evaluation assesses the impact an alleged event experienced in an employment setting had on an individual who is a litigant in a suit against their employer as a result of the event.
Racial Justice Expert - When retained as a racial justice expert, the psychologist speaks to a
variety of areas related to systemic oppression, racist policies and practices, and racial inequality, and its impact on an individual, group, or case. This expertise can be relayed through consultation, evaluation, written reports, and/or testimony.
Threat Assessment - This evaluation assesses an individual’s risk for targeted violence.
Youth Disposition - The goal of this assessment is to help the court determine the best needs of
the youth.
Youth Risk Assessments - This evaluation assesses a youth's risk for violence or problematic sexual behavior, depending on the referral question.
Youth Transfer/Reverse Transfer Hearing - This evaluation assesses if a youth should be tried as
an adult or would benefit from remaining under the jurisdiction of juvenile court.
Youthful Offender - This type of evaluation aims at determining if an individual is suitable for
early release due to a variety of factors including but not limited to their age at the time of the offense and conviction and brain development.