Forensic Psychological Services
Providing psychological services for forensic and mental health issues
Dr. Gatner has competency in clinical psychology and forensic psychology with expertise in addressing a number of referral issues in Metro Vancouver and throughout British Columbia. Of these forensic psychological services, he has particular interest and experience in violence risk assessment and personality disorder assessment. Below you can find common referral issues and professional areas of practice.
Violence Risk Assessment & Threat Assessment
Risk assessments can occur in various contexts (e.g., criminal, organizational) and stages of proceedings (e.g., bail, pre-sentence, parole hearings). A sound violence risk assessment or threat assessment should serve the purpose of violence reduction and or mitigation (i.e., violence risk management). Dr. Gatner conducts the following types of violence risk assessments:
- General Violence and Criminal Recidivism
- Stalking & Criminal Harassment
- Sexual Violence and Recidivism
- Domestic Violence & Intimate Partner Violence
- Protective Factors Against Violence
- Immigration-related Risk Assessments
Criminal and Forensic Assessments
In addition to violence and threat assessments, Dr. Gatner also provides other assessment services in forensic contexts. Specific referrals may include:
- Treatment and suitability and recommendations
- Management and violence prevention recommendations
- Criminal Responsibility
- Malingering and impression management
- Diagnosis of psychological disorders (e.g., paraphilic disorders)
Mental Health Assessment
Dr. Gatner provides psychological assessments to individuals that may guide subsequent care or be related to legal issues. Assessments are typically c comprehensive and involve psychological testing. Specific assessments can be targeted toward psychological issues such as:
- Major Mental Illness (e.g., psychotic and bipolar disorders)
- Depressive and Anxiety Disorders
- Trauma-related Disorders
- Personality Disorder
- Intellectual and cognitive functioning/Neuropsychological screening
Psychological Treatment & Risk Management
Dr. Gatner also provides psychological treatment to adults in both forensic and general community contexts. In forensic contexts, he engages in psychological treatment (therapy) that is geared toward criminogenic needs (i.e., changeable factors that are tied to risk) to improve the chances of violence reduction or mitigation. In general community contexts, Dr. Gatner conducts psychological therapy for a variety of clinical concerns (e.g., insomnia, anxiety, and mood problems; sport performance). For more details about his treatment approach and community services, see his bio page at the North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic (NSSAC).
Training and Professional Consultation
Dr. Gatner provides clinical supervision and training to those looking to improve their forensic psychological skills. Professional consultation can involve a discussion with attorneys, other health professionals, or other third parties about strategies or recommendations based on Dr. Gatner’s expertise in forensic and clinical psychological matters. This may involve reviewing report quality and methods of other forensic assessment reports (e.g., following proper structured risk procedures).
How It Works
Initial Meeting and Information Review
After briefly discussing referral issues and agreements, there is an initial file review to determine service procedures.
Services
Full information is gathered (e.g., testing, interview, file info) for the service, including Consultations, Assessments, Trainings, and or Treatment.
Communication
Service findings can be communicated in oral, short report, or comprehensive report formats.