Mark D Worthen PsyD, Forensic Psychologist

I am a clinical & forensic psychologist in Pocatello, Idaho. 

Forensic Psychologist?

My Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree is in clinical psychology.

Calling myself a "forensic psychologist" simply means that I apply clinical psychology knowledge and methods to help answer legal questions. Psychologists who provide healthcare services must be licensed, but there is not a separate license for forensic psychology. 

There are important distinctions between clinical and forensic psychological assessment, which you can review in a chart I created: Clinical vs. Forensic Psychology.

My Awesome Day Job

My main focus at present is working full-time as a clinical psychologist for a superb healthcare organization, Health West, a community health center in Pocatello, Idaho. I provide psychotherapy and conduct clinical psychological evaluations at Health West.

The term, "clinical psychological evaluation" means that the evaluation seeks to help the individual, e.g., by clarifying diagnoses, describing current problems and strengths, and offering treatment recommendations. It does not help answer legal questions.

Health West is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that provides primary care, behavioral health, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and dental services to patients in Southeastern Idaho, regardless of their ability to pay.

Note: Health West does not conduct forensic psychological evaluations. Forensic evaluation is a service I offer through my private practice, although I am not currently accepting new referrals.

Education, Training, and Experience

Education & Training

* Graduated from the University of Maryland's Psychology Honors Program.

* Member, Phi Beta Kappa

* Commencement Speaker at his college's graduation ceremony.

* Earned a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from Baylor University in Texas.

* Clinical Fellow in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. 

Phi Beta Kappa

Work Experience as a Forensic Psychologist

* Over five years as a full-time VA Compensation and Pension examiner, conducting C&P exams for VA compensation PTSD and other mental disorder claims.

* Court Psychologist for a family court in Alexandria, Virginia

* Forensic Psychologist at a community mental health center in Charlotte, North Carolina

* Clinical Consultant to a Drug Treatment Court in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (pro bono).

* Consultant to defense counsel in private disability insurance cases.

* Consultant to companies in workplace violence threat situations.

* Expert witness in several jurisdictions in central and western North Carolina.

Professional Service in Forensic Psychology

* Co-Chair, North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA) Law & Psychology Committee, 1997–2001.

* Action Editor & Peer Reviewer, Psychological Injury and Law, 2018 to present.

* Member, American Psychology–Law Society.


Writing

Harrison, Patricia Ann, Glenace E. Edwall, Norman G. Hoffman, and Mark D. Worthen. "Correlates of Sexual Abuse Among Boys in Treatment for Chemical Dependency." Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse 1, no. 1 (1990): 53–67.

Shura, Robert D., Anna S. Ord, and Mark D. Worthen. “Structured Inventory of Malingered Symptomatology: A Psychometric Review.” Psychological Injury and Law 15, no. 1 (March 2022): 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-021-09432-y

Worthen, Mark D. "Psych C&P Exams Are Unfair to Veterans" (Wʜɪᴛᴇ Pᴀᴘᴇʀ). Social Science Research Network (SSRN), 2018. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3102447

Worthen, Mark D. and Robert G. Moering. "A Practical Guide to Conducting VA Compensation and Pension Exams for PTSD and other Mental Disorders". Psychological Injury and Law 3, no. 3–4 (2011): 187–216. https://perma.cc/C9QK-MR23

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See also https://www.PTSDexams.net - educational website about disability evaluations with U.S. military veterans.

Psychology License

Idaho Psychologist # PSY-203469, Initial License: 14 Jun 2021 [verify]

Utah Psychologist # 10951856-2501, Initial License: 4 Sep 2018 [verify].

North Carolina Healthcare Services Provider Psychologist # 1835, Initial License: 1 Nov 1993 [verify].

See also my educational website, PTSDexams.net, for info on C&P exams with U.S. military veterans. (No ads. No affiliate links. No sales pitches.)

What Do You Think?

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