Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles: Principles and Practice (October 2025) | IN-PERSON

 The Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy presents:

Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles: Principles and Practice

Online Resources

The ILPPP is now conducting its longstanding training on forensic evaluations of juveniles in a hybrid format. This is a “flipping the classroom” model that combines approximately self-paced online video lectures with three days of in-person learning activities at the ILPPP. We developed this hybrid model to blend the convenience of self-paced online learning with the individualized, hands-on workshop experience that can only come from live teaching.

The self-paced online component includes pre-recorded lectures and recommended readings hosted here on UVA Canvas Connect, the University of Virginia’s online learning platform. The online component of this program consists of nine pre-recorded training videos, on average 30-60 minutes each. You can watch these at your own pace.

Online and in-person content covers five basic content areas:

1. Introduction to juvenile forensic evaluation
2. Adjudicative competence in juvenile court
3. Research and clinical parameters of adjudicative competency
4. Other types of juvenile forensic evaluations
5. Expert testimony and other forensic issues in juvenile court

Virginia DBHDS-Recognized Training for Juvenile Competency Evaluators

This training was designed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to meet Virginia’s statutory requirements that eligible clinicians conducting juvenile competency evaluations complete training recognized by the Commissioner of DBHDS. Per Virginia Code §16.1-356Links to an external site., eligible clinicians include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists. Over 95% of Virginia evaluators become qualified to conduct court-ordered juvenile competency evaluations by completing this training, which permits them to be placed on the approved evaluators list maintained by DBHDS. Although the training is tailored to Virginia law, the vast majority of the content is applicable to professionals practicing in any jurisdiction.

The Speakers

Pre-recorded and in-person lectures are provided by a diverse team of forensic clinicians and attorneys. Lead faculty and point of contact for this training is Lucy Guarnera, PhD, juvenile training coordinator at the ILPPP. 

Continuing Education

Participants can expect to receive up to 18 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). Due to APA requirements, we can award CEUs only for the in-person component of the training. Participants will also receive a general certificate of attendance for full hybrid training.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer continuing education for psychiatrists, attorneys, or social workers at this time. Please contact us with any questions.

Training Fees

$1,125.00 Standard Registration

$550.00 DBHDS/CSB Employees*

*If you are a DBHDS/CSB employee, please use this promo code to get the reduced price: JBASICOCT25

Please note that the reduced price is available only for DBHDS and CSB employees, rather than all state employees, because DBHDS partially sponsors this training program.

Occasionally, large facilities or state agencies outside of Virginia want to send a team of trainees, for whom we can arrange a discounted group rate. Please contact our training coordinator Camilla Beeley at ydt2qs@uvahealth.org to discuss such arrangements. 

Timeline for Online Component

You will have access to all online learning materials on UVA Canvas Connect for a limited time (we are still figuring this out!). The online videos will remain accessible and available for review after the in-person training until a date (TBD). The in-person portion of the training is three days at ILPPP and includes live lectures, training videos, practice evaluations, and a final exercise.

Confidentiality/Copyright

Lectures and manuals are copyrighted to the University of Virginia. As such they can not be used or reused without the explicit permission of UVA.    

Contact

If you have technical difficulties or have any questions about this training, please contact juvenile training coordinator Lucy Guarnera at guarnera@virginia.edu or 434-924-8264 or our clinic coordinator Walker Hill at kwh4pyd@uvahealth.org