We consider interviews, relevant records, and testing when appropriate. Together, these sources help us understand the individual’s functioning and address the questions outlined in the court order.
A court-ordered psychological evaluation is a structured assessment that helps the court understand an individual’s mental health and psychological functioning.
Its purpose is to answer the court’s referral questions. The resulting report explains the findings and provides recommendations supported by the assessment, including treatment recommendations when appropriate.
UCPS provides court-ordered psychological evaluations in Salt Lake City to clarify mental health, diagnoses, psychological functioning, and treatment needs. Our licensed psychologists tailor each assessment to the referral questions outlined in the court order.
These evaluations differ from specialized forensic assessments, such as parental fitness, psychosexual, guardianship, or testamentary capacity evaluations. Because those services address different legal questions, we review the court order to clarify the appropriate evaluation before proceeding.
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.
Court-ordered psychological evaluations require careful attention to the court’s questions and the available evidence. For this reason, we establish the assessment scope, examine relevant information, and explain the reasoning behind our findings.
We consider interviews, relevant records, and testing when appropriate. Together, these sources help us understand the individual’s functioning and address the questions outlined in the court order.
We consider information that supports or challenges the concerns raised. When evidence is incomplete or conflicting, we explain the limitations and their effect on our conclusions.
We distinguish assessment findings from our interpretation and explain how they support our opinions. This allows courts, attorneys, and other professionals to follow our reasoning.
Court-ordered psychological evaluations are private pay.
Insurance does not cover the cost of these evaluations.
For additional payment information, visit our Fees & Insurance page.
Flat fee
Comprehensive assessment and written report.
Whether you are making a referral or have been ordered to complete an evaluation, contact UCPS to discuss the court’s requirements and your timeline.
We work with attorneys, probation officers, courts, and individuals to clarify the evaluation needed and the next steps.
Schedule a Court-Ordered Psychological Evaluation 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.