Dr. Craig Shifrin Practice
• Addictions
• Criminal Evaluations
• Domestic Violence
• File Review
• Forensic Psychology
• General Practice
• Pediatric, Adolescent and Adult Neuropsychology
• Psychological Testing
• Psycho-Educational
• Risk Assessments for Juvenile and Adults
• Sex Offenders
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the interface between psychology and the courts.
More specifically, it involves “psycho-legal” issues as opposed to clinical referral questions. Both Forensic and Clinical Psychologist would use tools that measure various dimensions such as:
- Assessment tools: Different list of tools for both forensic and clinical
- Dimensions: Cognitive, neuro-psychological, self-report, projective, psycho-educational
- Intra-psychic: Deep underline issues versus surface issues (clinical issues).
- Clinical referral questions: How emotionally is the person functioning (theory and/or speculation)
The difference between a Forensic Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist:
A forensic psychologist looks primarily at scientific data and possibly case law in order to come to a decision and/or recommendation. A clinical psychologist would look at observable phenomena and integrate it with a more intuitive process than being objective.
Dr. Shifrin focuses on quality service and integrity in his approach to assessments. He schedules time to research the areas of forensic study, which creates an advantage over his collegues. He purposefully integrates new information into his expertise, giving full advantage to the court cases.
With 30 years of mental health experience and several years of continuing education within the area of forensics, his skill sets include subspecialites in over 5,000 of the following cases:
- Child Custody
- Criminal Responsibility
- Sex Offenders
- DFS/DCFS Ward Assessments
- Disability
- PTSD
- Workman’s Comp Evaluations
- Personal Injury Neuropsychological
- Psycho-educational Evaluations
- Psychological Assessments
Why lawyers work with Dr. Shifrin:
Lawyer firms work with Dr. Shifrin primarily because his is equiped, experienced and educated. He has worked with defense and prosecution attorney’s in both Missouri and Illinois. He brings objectivity to the field while being well-educated both generally and specialized. Dr. Shifrin is licensed in two states (Missouri & Illinois) thereby have national prominence. He has also consulted/lectured within four different states in terms of probation and parole (Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Louisiana).
An example of Forensic Psychology:
For example, when asked to do a child custody evaluation, the clinical psychologist would look at “intra-psychic” and clinical symptomatic issues that impact the child’s capacity to function within a specific home environment. A forensic psychologist would look at the “best interests of the child” in order to educate the court as to which parent would best qualify as being most suitable as to who can best meet the child’s needs.
Criminal Evaluations
These are unbiased evaluations used for criminal activity.
ore specifically, Criminal Evaluations can include, but not limited to:
- NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity)
- CST (Competency to Stand Trial)
- Civil Commitment of Sexual Offenders
- Pre-sentencing Evaluations
- Criminal Responsibility
- Competency to Understand Miranda Rights
- Parenting / Custody
- Competency to Waive Rights
- Sentencing Recommendations
- Sexual Offender
- Competency to Accept a Plea
- Transfer to Adult Status
- Child Abuse/Neglect
- Violence Risk
Why work with Dr. Shifrin on Criminal Evaluations:
Dr. Shifrin offers over 30 years of Mental Health experience as well as 15 year of experience in the Forensic Psychology arena. He has worked for over 10 years with sex offenders as well as spending ample time in medium-security prison providing therapy. He continues to seek continual education to further his knowledge as an expert in Criminal Evaluations. In addition, Dr. Shifrin currently works within the correctional system; specifically the probagtion and parole syste, for the last 8 years in Missouri.
Sex Offender Criminal Evaluations and their respective process:
- Sex Offenders (sexually reactive (ages 4-18))
- Level of risk:
- Emotional disturbance evaluation
- Recommendations for treatment and/or placement
- Sex Offenders (sexually reactive (adults))
- Level of risk:
- Dual diagnosis (now called co-morbidity)
- Pre-sentencing
- Updating progress including ongoing evaluations
Neuropsychology
Sub:
Tramatic Brain injury
Dementia
Addictions
i. Drugs / alcohol evaluations
ii. DUI assessments
iii. Recommendations for placement
iv. Sex addictions
v. Internet addictions
vi. Expertise:
1. 30 years mental health
2. Addictions credential in Illinois for 12 years
3. Approved DUI evaluator and treatment provider in Illinois for 8 years
4. EAP experience for 2 years
Domestic Violence
i. Assessment and evaluations for children, adolescents, adults and couples
ii. Expertise:
1. 30 years mental health
2. Out-patient assessments for the courts in Illinois and Missouri
3. Domestic Violence Diversion for NACIA for past 2 years
Risk Assessments for Juvenile and Adults
i. Primarily focused on potential for violence
ii. Expertise:
1. 10 years out-patient
Psycho-Educational
i. Disability in children / adolescents (learning and behavioral disabilities) in terms of current cognitive, emotional and functional capacity to participate in the community.
ii. Expertise:
1. MA in special education
2. Disability evaluations for both Illinois and Missouri
Neuropsychological
i. Specializing in traumatic brain injury and dementia evaluations
ii. Experience:
1. 30 years mental health
2. Post doctoral experience that integrated psychological and neuropsychological training
3. Out-patient for 15 years