Services

Sage Forensic and Psychological Services has extensive experience performing psychological evaluations requested by the courts and private parties for a wide variety of situations. Core values include compassionate collaboration with individuals, treatment facilities and providers, and collateral sources to include personal support systems to successfully improve understanding of an individual's behavior and enhance his or her overall functioning and well-being.

Psychosexual Evaluations

Psychosexual evaluations address an individual’s general psychological functioning, but also focus specifically on their history of sexual interests, thoughts, and behavior. When requested by attorneys or the court during legal proceedings, the individual’s risk of recidivism is typically included. They may also be used by those seeking to better understand their sexuality and its impact on their lives, or to help find the most effective intervention(s) for sexual difficulties.

Competency to Proceed

Can be ordered at any time during criminal proceedings if concern exists about a defendant’s ability to:

assist their defense counsel
understand the proceedings or charges
participate in their defense due to mental illness or deficiency

Appropriateness for Commitment

Requested to determine if an individual’s mental health condition renders him/her a danger to self or others (the specific criteria for commitment are described in MN Statue 253B) for cases involving petitions for commitment as:

Mentally Ill
Chemically Dependent
Developmentally Disabled
Mentally Ill and Dangerous to the Public (MI&D)
Sexually Dangerous Person/Sexually Psychopathic Personality (SDP/SPP)

Pre-Plea or Pre-Sentence Psychological Evaluations

Requested when a defendant is considering a guilty plea or is awaiting sentencing, these evaluations can influence legal proceedings by addressing:

aggravating or mitigating circumstances,
a psychiatric disorder and related treatment considerations, and/or
recommendations about confinement and/or community supervision.

Risk Assessments Pertaining to Violence or Sexual Violence

Situations in which a risk assessment may be requested include (but are not limited to):

domestic or workplace violence
legal deliberation on appropriateness for commitment
considering need for supervision following jail/prison release

General Psychological Evaluations

Used to accurately diagnose mental health conditions and provide effective, pragmatic recommendations for the given case, these evaluations always include an in-depth interview focusing on the referral question. As part of the assessment process, review of pertinent records, interviews with collateral sources (such as family members), and psychological testing may also be utilized.

Anger Management and Domestic Abuse Evaluations

Although it’s natural to experience anger from time to time, when anger and resulting aggressive behaviors interfere with functioning in the community, at home, or in work/school, these evaluations can be utilized to identify the triggers and influencing factors behind the anger and aggressive behavior, as well as to target effective intervention strategies.

Criminal Responsibility

Ordered when a criminal defendant indicates he/she is considering a plea of not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency.