CPA’s Forensic Division Presents
Clinical Documentation and Testimony: A practical framework for defensible documentation and credible clinical testimony
Presenter: Julie Wright, PsyD
Date & Time: Â October 16th, 2026 from 9:00 – 12:15 PM EDT
Location: Live Via Zoom  (Emailed with ticket)
Cost:
FREE for CPA Members (Log in to your account to access the discount!)
$75.00 For Non-members
Continuing Education: Â Eligible for 3.0 CE
Webinar will be recorded (recording not eligible for CE)
Abstract:
Clinical documentation is an essential part of psychological practice, but we may not always think about what our notes communicate to someone who was not present for the clinical encounter. A clinical record may eventually be reviewed by another clinician, an attorney, a licensing board, or a court. This presentation focuses on practical ways psychologists can strengthen their documentation so that it accurately reflects their observations, clinical reasoning, and decision-making at the time care was provided.
The presentation explores the distinction between what a psychologist personally observed, what was reported by a patient or collateral source, and what the psychologist ultimately assessed or concluded. It also addresses common documentation habits that can create problems when a record is later scrutinized, including vague or judgmental language, unsupported conclusions, unclear sources of information, inconsistencies, and hindsight-based documentation. Particular attention is given to documenting risk assessment and clinical reasoning in a way that makes clear not only what decision was made, but why it was reasonable based on the information available at the time.
The presentation also examines how clinical documentation may translate into testimony. Psychologists may be called upon to explain their clinical work years after an encounter and may face challenging questions about their observations, conclusions, and decision-making. Using examples and mock examination, participants will consider how to remain accurate, clinically grounded, and credible while acknowledging uncertainty and the limitations of the record.
This presentation is intended to help psychologists approach documentation with greater awareness of its potential future use while maintaining the primary purpose of the clinical record: accurately communicating the clinical work that was done.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Apply principles of accuracy, objectivity, and clinical relevance when producing clinical documentation.
- Differentiate among direct clinical observations, patient-reported information, collateral information, clinical assessment, and professional opinion within the clinical record.
- Identify vague, judgmental, unsupported, or potentially credibility-undermining documentation and revise it using objective, clinically appropriate language.
- Document risk formulation and clinical reasoning in a manner that clearly communicates the information considered, the clinical decision made, and the rationale for that decision at the time of care in language that remains clear and interpretable upon later review.
- Explain how clinical documentation may be used as evidence and demonstrate strategies for providing accurate, clinically grounded testimony during direct and cross-examination.
Research Citations
Gates, E. (2025, June 4). Forensic documentation as legal testimony: How nurses influence outcomes. American Judicial System. https://www.ajs.org/forensic-documentation-as-legal-testimony/
Young, G. (2016). Psychiatric/psychological forensic report writing. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 49(Part B), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2016.10.008
Penney, S. R., Norton, M., Wagner, K., Mullens, K., & Wilkie, T. (2025). Language and Bias in Clinical Documentation: A Scoping Review. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2025.2576503
Woody, R. H. (2016). Psychological testimony and the Daubert standard. Psychological Injury and Law, 9, 91–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-016-9255-5
Presenter Biography
Julie Wright, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience working in forensic mental health and correctional behavioral health settings. She currently serves as Chief of Forensic Services at Whiting Forensic Hospital within the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, where she provides clinical and operational leadership for forensic programs involving competency restoration, court-ordered treatment, and individuals under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (NGRI).
Dr. Wright also maintains a private consulting practice, providing forensic psychological consultation, evaluation, expert witness services, and consultation related to correctional mental health systems. Her areas of expertise include violence risk assessment and management, forensic decision-making, psychiatric rehabilitation, conditional release/community reintegration, clinical quality improvement, and the development and evaluation of forensic mental health policies and systems.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed prior to receiving a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: CPA complies with applicable accessibility requirements and will make reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities whenever possible. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the program to allow sufficient time for arrangements.
APA APPROVED SPONSOR OF CONTINUING EDUCATION:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CE credit is awarded only to participants who are registered and attend the entire program. For in-person programs, participants must sign in and sign out to verify attendance. For virtual programs, participants must join using their full name so attendance can be accurately verified. Participants must also complete the program evaluation. CE certificates will be emailed within four weeks after the event once attendance and evaluation completion have been verified.
Under Connecticut regulations, APA-approved continuing education is explicitly recognized for psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). Â For Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), APA is generally considered a nationally recognized organization but not specifically an approved provider under Connecticut regulations. LCSWs who attend CPA programs will receive an official CE certificate documenting their completed hours; however, acceptance of those credits for license renewal is determined by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. LCSWs are encouraged to consult the Connecticut Department of Public Health or NASW-CT if they have questions about whether a particular CE activity meets their licensure requirements.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel their registration and receive a full refund if the cancellation request is received at least 14 days prior to the program date. Cancellations received within 14 days of the program are eligible for a refund less a $30 administrative fee. (The administrative fee does not apply to Social Justice Speaker Series programs.) No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within 48 hours of the program start time. If CPA cancels a program or a presenter is unable to deliver the program as scheduled, registrants may either transfer their registration to the rescheduled program or receive a full refund.
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is committed to conducting all continuing education (CE) activities in accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists, the APA Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education, and all applicable federal and state laws. CPA is committed to providing an educational environment that is respectful, accessible, and free from discrimination in its promotional activities, educational content, and treatment of participants, presenters, and volunteers.
Although CPA strives to anticipate and resolve concerns promptly, participants may occasionally have grievances related to a continuing education activity. Â Participants are encouraged to communicate concerns as soon as possible so they may be addressed promptly. Informal concerns may be discussed with CPA staff during or immediately following a program whenever appropriate. Â Participants should direct concerns to the Chair of Continuing Education or the Executive Director by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org. Participants seeking formal review or corrective action should review our full CPA Grievance Policy for further instruction.
