A court-ordered psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to help the court better understand an individual’s mental health, psychological functioning, diagnostic picture, and treatment needs. Unlike therapy, the purpose of the evaluation is to answer specific
referral questions posed by the court and provide objective recommendations.
At UCPS, our court ordered psychological evaluations are designed to clarify diagnosis, psychological functioning, and treatment needs in response to a court order. They are distinct from specialized forensic evaluations, such as parental fitness, psychosexual, guardianship, or testamentary capacity evaluations, which address different legal questions.
At Utah Center for Psychological Services, our licensed psychologists conduct thorough, evidence-based evaluations that are individualized, objective, and tailored to the referral questions outlined in your court order.
Judges may order a psychological evaluation in a variety of situations, including when they need
additional information to make informed decisions about a person’s mental health or treatment
needs.
Examples include:
The goal is not to “pass” or “fail” the evaluation. Rather, it is to provide the court with an accurate understanding of your psychological functioning and identify recommendations that support appropriate treatment and decision-making.
Every evaluation is tailored to the referral question, but the process often includes:
Depending on the referral question, the evaluation may assess for:
The evaluation is designed around the specific questions identified by the court.
After the evaluation is complete, the psychologist prepares a detailed report summarizing:
If the evaluation was ordered by the court, the report is typically provided to the referring attorney, probation officer, or court in accordance with the court order and applicable releases.
We approach competency evaluations with objectivity, depth, and clinical precision.
These evaluations are often used in high-stakes legal contexts, making it essential that the process is thorough, balanced, and clearly reasoned.
Our role is to provide an objective evaluation that can be relied upon by courts, attorneys, and other professionals.
Insurance does NOT cover the cost of a court-ordered psychological evaluation.
Cost: $3,100
Please see our Fees & Insurance page for more information.
If you have been ordered by the court to complete a psychological evaluation, our experienced
psychologists can guide you through the process from start to finish.
Schedule a Court-Ordered Psychological Evaluations or contact our office to learn more.
Because this is a court-ordered evaluation, the results are generally shared with the referral source identified in the court order. Your psychologist will review the limits of confidentiality with you before the evaluation begins.
In many cases, yes—provided the evaluator meets the requirements outlined by the court or referring agency. If you are unsure, we recommend checking with your attorney or probation officer.
The length depends on the referral questions and complexity of the case. Most evaluations involve several hours of interviews and testing, as well as additional time spent reviewing records, interpreting results, and writing the report. At UCPS, the typical timeline for completing a court ordered evaluation is approximately one month from the intake session to the completion of the report.
