AP-LS 2024: Bridging the Gap Between Virtual Assessment Development and Implementation

by Aysha Nesbitt (2023-2024 Clinical Liaison)

This conversation took place during the annual conference of the American Psychology and Law Society held in Los Angeles, CA in March 2024. The session, titled "Bridging the Gap Between Virtual Assessment Development and Implementation," engaged a panel of clinicians and researchers in a robust discussion about the ethical and practical considerations inherent in integrating virtual assessment tools within legal and psychological contexts. Below is a file which contains a recording of the panel, as well  an outline of the conversation with key takeaways for your convenience.

Bridging the Gap 2024 Panel
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Introductions & experience integrating virtual care and assessment services in clinical or research settings:

Ashley B. Batastini, Ph.D., Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology.
Dr. Ashley Batastini is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology. Her work broadly focuses on novel intervention strategies for higher-risk populations and ways to improve access to appropriate services at various stages of criminal legal involvement. She has conducted work related to technological applications in psychology-law contexts for more than 10 years, which has accumulated in numerous first- and co-authored book chapters, refereed articles, conference presentations, invited talks, and both internal and external funding (e.g., U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the American Psychological Foundation). Dr. Batastini is currently a member of APA’s Office of Health Care Innovation Advisory Committee for Mental Health Technology and recently co-chaired the AP-LS Telepsychology Taskforce.

Dr. Glenn Scott Lipson, PhD, ABPP, Professor at Alliant International University/California School of Forensic Studies. Owner and CEO of Making Right Choices Squared.
Dr. Glenn Lipson, PhD, ABPP, is a recognized expert in Forensic Psychology. He has spent three decades tackling violence from all fronts in preventing, intervening, and providing opinions in cases involving violent crimes. As an expert witness, speaker, and advisor, he has testified in court-martials and regulatory hearings and submitted briefs through counsel to the United States Supreme Court. He has actively contributed to the San Diego District Attorney’s School Threat Assessment Team (STAT) to prevent school violence. Dr. Lipson is also the founder of MRC (Making Right Choices) that offers training on ethical and boundary violations which lead to misconduct, and of the NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification), an academy for preventing and correcting misconduct.

Dr. Ana Belmonte, PhD, Chair of the Division of Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School. 
Dr. Ana Belmonte is the Chair of the Division of Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois and Wisconsin. Dr. Belmonte's clinical and research interests include evaluation and assessment with forensic populations, competency/fitness to stand trial restoration, issues related to family law and families in conflict, such as divorce, parenting capacity, and child custody, and policy and legal advocacy. Prior to her current role, Dr. Belmonte served as the Director of Assessment and Research at The Chicago School Forensic Center where she launched the Center’s telehealth assessment program in the early days of the COVID pandemic. Dr. Belmonte continues to conduct evaluations through The Forensic Center’s outpatient competency restoration program. In addition to her academic and clinical work, Dr. Belmonte currently serves as the Chair of the Social Media Committee for AP-LS.

Dr. Alexandra Lugo, PhD, California Department of State Hospitals- Metropolitan.
Dr. Alexandra Lugo is an early career psychologist, recently graduating from Palo Alto University with her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an emphasis in Forensic Psychology. She completed her predoctoral internship with the California Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan in Los Angeles, California, where she is now a staff psychologist. Dr. Lugo co-developed a suicide risk assessment smartphone application for use by police officers in guiding their risk determinations and decision-making. She also works as a consultant on issues related to suicide risk assessment and leveraging technology for uses in the criminal justice system. Dr. Lugo recently served as a member on the AP-LS Telepsychology Taskforce. She has published articles and given prior conference presentations, invited talks, and guest lectures on issues related to cultural and ethical issues in the criminal justice system as well as on the application of technology to improve existing psychology-law practices.

Laura Stevens, M.A., M.S.C., University of Birmingham. 
Laura Stevens is a Ph.D. student completing her doctorate at the University of Birmingham UK. During her Ph.D., Laura has validated a mobile phone application that gathers memory evidence from survivors of sexual and gender-based violence on the ground in Kenya. This research is in collaboration with the Wangu Kanja Foundation in Kenya who co-design all aspects of the research and implements it in practice on the ground. Alongside technological advancements, we also consider the sustainability of practice in low-resource environments. She has published articles on this topic and given conference presentations and invited talks globally to discuss the use of technological advancements in low and middle-income countries. 

What ethical considerations need to be made in this work and/or what steps need to be taken to mitigate these ethical concerns to prevent exacerbating disparities within the justice system? 

• Telehealth services need to account for social, cultural, and infrastructural aspects to ensure healthcare accessibility.
• Cloud-based data security needs thorough assessments of ownership, storage, and access, emphasizing transparency and accountability to protect sensitive information.
• Training students for telehealth and in-person services to prepare them for diverse settings.
• Resources:
  • Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology
  • AP-LS Telepsychology Taskforce Resources

What has felt like the greatest utility of virtual care?

• Virtual care has provided significant utility in enhancing accessibility, particularly for individuals traditionally marginalized from mental health services.
• The immediacy facilitated by technology has expedited various aspects of care delivery.
• Virtual care platforms possess the capacity to empower clients, enabling them to share their experiences and cultivate a sense of agency in their healthcare journey.
• Job training programs have leveraged AI and virtual services to reach a broader spectrum of populations, potentially mitigating burnout or turnover issues.

What can we do to stay abreast of trends in technology?

• Stay informed about technological trends in our field by drawing inspiration from other sectors and assessing their applicability to our work.
• Foster networking, connections, and adaptability to keep pace with evolving technology.
• Cultivate a flexible and open-minded approach to remain aware of field advancements that can enhance the well-being of our clients, inform our research, and enrich our professional development.