RATES FOR FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST SERVICES
Our rates are subject to change at any time without notice. The following information is provided only as a guide to our fees for forensic examinations, expert testimony, and consultation services. These rates do not apply when the evaluation is paid for by the State of North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services (NCIDS), Worker's Compensation, or another outside agency.
Following are the various forensic psychological services we provide, estimated retainer requirements, and anticipated total fees. This is not a guarantee that your total fees will be exactly the same. Retainer requirements will be higher for evaluations rendered outside of our office (e.g., in an attorney’s office or institution) and may also be higher if we determine that more time than usual will be involved (e.g., extensive record review, travel, collateral phone calls).
If the evaluation you are seeking does not appear in this list, please call us. We may offer the service you need.
Important Note: Forensic (legal related) services require the retainer to be paid upon scheduling. You will not be scheduled without the retainer being paid. No work product will be completed until all outstanding fees are paid.
General Forensic Psychological Evaluation
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
A mental health evaluation/assessment aimed at determining whether the assessed individual suffers from any psychological symptoms or personality characteristics that may impact the legal issue at hand. Questions the court or attorney have asked are answered by this evaluation. It is often completed pursuant to a court order or an attorney’s recommendation. Typically includes a forensic interview with the psychologist and psychological testing, after which a forensic psychological report is written and delivered to the attorney or the court. May also include the psychologist requesting the person’s prior mental health records, reviewing legal documents, and/or speaking with certain collateral contacts.
Violence Risk Assessment
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
A psychological evaluation that is aimed at assessing an individual’s overall mental health as well as determining the risk that the individual will engage in violent behavior in the future. May be requested by an attorney, court, school, or employer. Typically involves forensic interviews with the individual, psychological testing, review of legal and mental health records, and speaking to certain collaterals. The psychologist seeks to answer specific questions about the individual that have been posed by the court or attorney.
Psychosexual Evaluation
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
A psychological evaluation that assesses the individual’s overall mental health as well as a detailed assessment of the individual’s sexual history, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Typically involves forensic interviews with the individual, psychological testing, review of legal and mental health records, and speaking to certain collaterals. The psychologist seeks to answer specific questions about the individual that have been posed by the court or attorney.
Psychosexual with Risk Assessment
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$4000
A psychological evaluation that assesses the individual’s overall mental health as well as a detailed assessment of the individual’s sexual history, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Additionally, the psychologist assesses the risk that the individual will engage in sexually deviant acts in the future. Typically involves forensic interviews with the individual, psychological testing, review of legal and mental health records, and speaking to certain collaterals. The psychologist seeks to answer specific questions about the individual that have been posed by the court or attorney.
Guardianship Evaluation
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$4000
When it is suspected that an adult lacks the mental/psychological ability to care for themselves, handle their own finances, or make other important decisions, a guardianship evaluation can be helpful. This evaluation is typically ordered by a court or recommended by an attorney. The evaluation typically involves clinical interviewing with the individual, psychological testing, review of prior mental health and medical records, review of any legal records, and collateral contacts with family and other individuals. The psychologist seeks to answer specific questions about the individual that have been posed by the court or attorney.
Immigration Evaluation
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
When an individual is seeking to be allowed to remain in the U.S. legally and there are psychological or psychosocial factors that may impact the government’s decision, an immigration evaluation can be helpful. This evaluation typically involves forensic interviews with the individual, psychological testing, review of legal and mental health records, and speaking to certain collaterals. The psychologist seeks to answer specific questions about the individual that have been posed by the court or attorney.
Fitness for Duty Evaluation
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
This type of evaluation is usually requested by the individual’s school, college, workplace, or church. It can be requested as a pre-employment condition in high-risk jobs such as police officer, security guard, or church official. This assessment is aimed at determining whether the individual has the psychological capacity to handle the requirements of the job and to work safely with others. This evaluation may also be requested if the individual was involved in an incident at work or school or if the individual has displayed behaviors that raise concerns. This evaluation typically involves forensic interviews with the individual, psychological testing, review of legal and mental health records, and speaking to certain collaterals.
Worker's Comp/Disability Evaluations
Retainer: $2000
Total Fee Estimate: $2000-$3000
This type of evaluation typically involves a psychological evaluation and testing of the individual to assist in a Worker's Compensation or disability claim. We do not determine whether you qualify for benefits.
Consultation Services
Retainer: varies; please call
Total Fee Estimate: varies; please call
We may be hired by attorneys to consult on a case. Examples include educating the attorney about a client’s mental illness, assisting in jury selection or trial, or critiquing another psychologist’s work.
Court Testimony - Half Day
Retainer: $1500
Total Fee Estimate: $1500-$2000+
We may be asked to testify in court as an expert regarding an evaluation we have conducted. The evaluation report may be read out loud in open court, and we must answer questions about the report and what transpired during conversations with the subject and any other individual. We may be asked to discuss our knowledge regarding the research in a specific area of psychology as it relates to the subject. We may also be asked to educate the court on a specific mental health-related topic. Retainer includes preparation estimate.
Court Testimony - Full Day
Retainer: $2500
Total Fee Estimate: $2500-$3000+