When psychological symptoms develop following a traumatic event, legal professionals may require a comprehensive psychological evaluation to better understand diagnosis, symptom severity, functional impairment, and the relationship between the event and the individual's current psychological functioning. Forensic psychologists in Los Angeles, CA may be retained by attorneys, courts, or other parties to conduct evaluations and provide expert witness testimony.
Dr. Esses provides thoughtful, evidence based forensic evaluations tailored to the specific clinical and legal questions at hand
trauma and psychological injury evaluations in los angeles, CA
Dr. Danielle Esses is a licensed psychologist in California and New York who provides forensic psychological evaluations involving trauma-related conditions, psychological injury, and emotional distress. She works with attorneys, courts, and individuals requiring evidence-based psychological assessment in civil and forensic contexts.
Psychological injury evaluations may be requested when an individual reports emotional or psychological harm following a significant life event or traumatic experience.
referral questions and areas of evaluation
Evaluations are tailored to the specific referral question and may include record review, clinical interview, psychological testing, and collateral information when appropriate.
- What psychological diagnoses, if any, are supported?
- What symptoms are currently present?
- How severe are the symptoms?
- How have symptoms affected daily functioning?
- What factors may have contributed to symptom development?
- What treatment recommendations are appropriate?
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Anxiety disorders following traumatic events
- Depression associated with trauma exposure
- Trauma-related functional impairment
- Complex trauma presentations
- Co-occurring substance use concerns
- Emotional distress and psychological injury claims
areas of evaluation:
evaluation process:
- Consultation with attorneys
- Clinical-forensic interview
- Review of records
- Collateral interviews as needed
- Administration of formal psychological assessment instruments
- A clear, defensible report
- Expert witness testimony, if requested
Dr. Esses has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of trauma-related conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, substance use disorders, and complex trauma presentations. Her forensic approach emphasizes careful diagnostic formulation, consideration of alternative explanations, and clear communication of findings.
Dr. Esses has extensive training in the assessment and treatment of PTSD and other conditions that commonly arise following traumatic experiences, including anxiety disorders, depression, substance use disorders, and presentations involving multiple traumatic experiences. While establishing a diagnosis is one component of the evaluation, forensic assessments frequently require consideration of more complex questions, including the relationship between a specific event and an individual's current symptoms.
expertise
In many cases, individuals present with histories of prior trauma, pre-existing mental health conditions, or symptoms that predate the event at issue. As a result, the forensic evaluation may require careful examination of symptom onset, symptom progression, alternative contributing factors, and the extent to which current psychological functioning may be attributable to the specific event under consideration.
Through her work with 9/11 responders at the World Trade Center Health Program, Dr. Esses evaluated the relationship between 9/11-related exposure and psychological symptoms. Many responders presented with complex trauma histories and prior mental health concerns, requiring careful consideration of the role that World Trade Center exposure played in their current functioning. This experience, among years of other experiences with individuals with trauma histories, informs her approach to psychological injury evaluations.