At Hugh S. Smith, Ph.D. & Associates, P.C. (HSSA), we provide comprehensive forensic and court-referred evaluations that bring clinical precision, neutrality, and compassion to complex legal and family-court matters.
Our goal is to ensure that every report submitted to the court is balanced, child-focused, and grounded in evidence-based psychological assessment.
Each evaluation integrates clinical interviews, standardized assessment instruments, collateral consultation, and behavioral observation—culminating in clear, professionally written reports that help courts, attorneys, and agencies make decisions in the best interests of children and families
Every forensic evaluation at HSSA is:
We collaborate with attorneys, caseworkers, and the courts to provide timely reports and are available for expert testimony and consultation when requested.
Parenting Plan (Custody) Evaluations
A structured, team-based process assessing each parent and child to inform custody and visitation recommendations. Evaluations include individual assessments, observation of parent-child interactions, and—when appropriate—joint sessions to evaluate co-parenting communication. Findings address strengths, risks, and the child’s best interests in alignment with judicial standards.
Parental Alienation Evaluations
Conducted either within a custody evaluation or as a standalone service, these assessments examine dynamics contributing to a child’s resistance or rejection of a parent. Evaluations differentiate between alienation, estrangement, and alignment, offering objective insight into relational patterns and recommendations that promote reunification and emotional well-being.
Violence Risk Assessments & Threat Evaluations
Structured assessments addressing potential harm to self or others—ranging from interpersonal or domestic violence to targeted violence toward groups or institutions. Our team, trained in Threat Assessment & Threat Management (TATM), provides actionable recommendations for risk reduction and safety planning.
Forensic Psychological Evaluations
Comprehensive evaluations to assist courts in matters such as criminal responsibility, insanity, and guilty-but-mentally-ill determinations. Findings integrate testing, clinical assessment, and collateral review to support fair, informed judicial outcomes.
Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluations
Assess the impact of brain injury or trauma on cognition, behavior, and functioning, clarifying how neurological changes relate to decision-making or responsibility. These evaluations provide objective data to support both legal and treatment planning.
Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations
Determine whether a youth or adult can understand and participate in legal proceedings. Evaluations consider cognitive capacity, mental health, and developmental maturity, offering clear recommendations to assist the court in competency rulings.
Capacity & Guardianship Evaluations
Assess an individual’s ability to make informed decisions about personal, financial, or medical matters. These evaluations guide courts and families in determining whether guardianship or additional supports are needed.
Serious Mental Injury Assessments
Evaluate whether emotional abuse or caregiver behavior has significantly contributed to a child’s or adult’s mental-health condition. Reports offer clinical clarity on severity, causal factors, and appropriate interventions.
Parenting Capacity Assessments
Parenting Capacity Assessments evaluate a caregiver’s ability to meet the developmental, emotional, and physical needs of their child within the context of the family system. These court-requested evaluations explore strengths, barriers, and situational stressors that may impact parenting effectiveness and safety.
Bonding and Attachment Assessments
Bonding Assessments (also known as Attachment Evaluations) assess the quality and security of the emotional connection between a child and a caregiver—or between siblings when indicated. These evaluations help courts and child-welfare agencies determine whether a significant psychological bond exists, how that bond influences the child’s stability, and what the potential effects of separation or continued contact may be.
Intellectual & Adaptive Functioning Assessments
Clarify cognitive abilities and daily-living skills to determine eligibility for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) supports, ensuring individuals receive services that promote safety and independence.
Hugh S. Smith, Ph.D. & Associates, P.C.
Main Office: 1831 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 391-6808
Fax: (717) 391-0709
E-mail: [email protected]
HSSA provides direct contracted comprehensive psychological services to county agencies and utilize a team approach in our provision of services. Our collaborative approach is in keeping with our philosophy of commitment to excellence and integrity in the evaluation and treatment of the whole person. We strive to identify the unique strengths of everyone we serve. Our thorough and caring approach considers the roles of family, socio-cultural background, and the environments in which our clients live. By providing comprehensive evaluation services we assist in a clearer understanding of the psychological functioning of the client, and this, in turn can help to guide intervention in the least restrictive manner possible.
Dr. Smith has been involved in psychological evaluations for BHRS/IBHS and County organizations for 25 years, and HSSA evaluators are well versed in the evaluation process, and consideration of all levels of care in development of the report.
HSSA also provides consultation meetings on cases, discussion of referral information, and collaboration with County representatives as requested. Formal and informal trainings are provided on various mental health topics as relevant to agency needs.
Contact us today to discuss ways we can work with your organization!
Psychological Evaluation/IBHS Best Practice Evaluations: Facets of this evaluation involve assessing the mental health status of client, determining diagnosis, and suggesting medically necessary interventions. Procedures include clinical interview with client, parent/guardian if applicable, treatment staff, review of supporting documentation, and applicable normed brief mental health screening instruments based on information generated from interview and/or prior evaluation.
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation: Comprehensive evaluation of mental health status of client utilizing objective and projective measures for determination of differential diagnosis, elucidating underlying issues and intensity of symptoms, and recommending appropriate intervention. Foci include ruling out thought disorder, major affective disturbance, ADHD, PTSD, autism-spectrum disorders, personality disorders, etc., assessing substance abuse issues, and elucidate underlying dynamics, to suggest treatment direction, and generate DSM-5 diagnosis. Procedures include clinical interview with client, parent/guardian if applicable, treatment staff, review of supporting documentation, major personality measure and various normed mental health screening instruments selected based on information generated from interview.
Intellectual Testing: Can be utilized in conjunction with other evaluations to assess level of cognitive functioning as related to classification of Intellectual Disability and providing treatment recommendations. May include a screener for broad learning disorder and/or adaptive behavior scales as applicable. Also available as standalone report.
Comprehensive Psychoeducational/Diagnostic (Neuropsychological) Evaluation: Evaluation of cognitive functioning of client to determine issues related to organicity, specific learning and processing issues, to facilitate with diagnostic clarity and generate DSM-5 diagnosis. Procedures include intellectual assessment, memory scales and other specific neuropsychological assessment instruments chosen dependent on the referral question and issues of the client. Can include major personality measure and screening questionnaires for diagnostic clarification.
Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation of Parent/Caregiver: (Includes Parenting Evaluations) Evaluation of psychological functioning of parent or caregiver to determine role in household dynamics and needs of child, as well as feasibility and obstacles to specific interventions. Includes objective measures for determination of differential diagnosis, elucidating underlying issues and intensity of symptoms, and recommending appropriate intervention. Foci include exploring for major mental health issues, assess substance abuse issues, and elucidating underlying dynamics. Procedures include clinical interview, review of supporting documentation, major personality measure, parenting scales, and various normed mental health screening instruments selected based on information generated from interview.
Comprehensive Bonding Assessment: Evaluation of level of bonding between child and caregiver or other individual (such as sibling). Includes determination of psychological functioning of child. Involves objective measures for determination of differential diagnosis, elucidating underlying issues and intensity of symptoms, and recommending appropriate intervention. Procedures include review of supporting documentation, clinical interview, systematic observation of interactions (Modified Ainsworth Strange Situation), behavioral and attachment measures. Additional normed mental health screening instruments will be selected based on information generated from interview and age of child.
Addendum: Written summary to amend or update psychological evaluation, such as for modifications in recommendations following new information.
Intellectual Screener: Utilized in conjunction with other evaluations for brief screening of level of cognitive functioning to produce IQ score, and determination of need for more intensive assessment.
Supplemental Drug and Alcohol Assessment: Utilized in conjunction with other evaluations to further clarify level of substance abuse, characteristics of drug and alcohol use, and facilitate with determination of addiction versus dependence.
Supplemental Fire Risk Assessment (Child/Adolescent): Structured interview and objective measures used in conjunction with other evaluations above to assess risk for fire setting recidivism for youth with arson-related offenses or history of fire setting. Identifies fire setter typology and delineates recommended interventions.
Supplemental Psychosexual Assessment (Child/Adolescent): Structured interview, objective measures and questionnaires used in conjunction with other evaluations above to assess sexual acting out behaviors and risk for recidivism. Procedures include psychosexual interview, administration of objective measures and questionnaires assessing sexual knowledge, experiences and beliefs, and trauma scale if applicable. Also includes assessment of sexual acting out behaviors in youth which has not resulted in charges to determine trauma and level to which behaviors are outside normal developmental limits.
Supplemental Emotional Abuse Assessment (Child/Adolescent): Structured interview, objective measures and questionnaires used in conjunction with other evaluations above to assess level of trauma and degree of interference with child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and social tasks. Procedures include specialized interview, review of records, administration of objective measures and questionnaires assessing trauma and current mood state.
Competency to Stand Trial Evaluation: Structured interview, objective measures, and questionnaires for determination of competency to stand trial including ability to aid attorney in defense. Procedures include intellectual assessment and use of specific assessment instruments chosen dependent on the issues of the client, major personality measure, malingering scale, and screening questionnaires for diagnostic clarification.
Amenability Assessment (Decertification/Transfer Certification): Structured interview, objective measures, and questionnaires for determination of amenability to treatment within the juvenile justice system versus appropriateness for adult criminal system. Procedures include intellectual screening and other specific assessment instruments chosen dependent on the issues of the client, major personality measure, and screening questionnaires for diagnostic clarification.
Capacity Assessment: Evaluation of capacity of individual for self-care versus need for appointment of guardian. Assess level of cognitive functioning, functional living skills, mental status, and competence assessment measure.
Comprehensive Biopsychosocial Evaluation: Evaluation of individual family dynamics and risk factors, including complete psychosocial summary, assessment of attachment-related issues, individual and family trauma, parenting stressors in the parent and child domains, as well as risk assessments for violence and self-harm. Screening for traumatic brain injury will also occur. Recommendations are made relevant to individual and family unit.
Social Summary: Assessment of family history and dynamics and assessment of attachment- related issues. Incorporates comprehensive social history of individual and family across domains, parenting dynamics, and individual and family trauma. Use of relevant screening measures.
Court Testimony: HSSA forensic evaluators have years of experience in providing expert testimony for court-related evaluations and work competently and professionally with attorneys and county professionals in delivering clear, understandable testimony.
The Comprehensive Diagnostic Team Evaluation is a cost-effective alternative to placement in a 45-Day Diagnostic Treatment Center, which can be provided in a detention center, shelter, or community setting. The Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation comprises integration of licensed social workers, school psychologists, psychologist and psychiatrist in providing comprehensive diagnostic assessment with the following components:
Comprehensive Biopsychosocial Evaluation: Includes comprehensive assessment of individual family dynamics and risk factors, complete psychosocial summary, and assessment of attachment- related issues, parenting stressors in the parent and child domains, trauma, as well as risk assessment for violence and suicide. Screening for traumatic brain injury will also occur come out to determine whether further testing is needed.
Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation: Includes full assessment of intellectual functioning, academic achievement, as well as specific scales such as listening comprehension, dyslexia screening, and other specific areas. Report is signed by a certified school psychologist.
Psychiatric Evaluation: Involves evaluation by a psychiatrist with report generated regarding psychiatric symptoms and recommendations.
Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation: Includes comprehensive assessment of neuropsychological functioning involving a variety of tests to assess memory, learning, processing, and social perception. Also integrates personality and emotional/behavioral assessment to determine underlying dynamics to provide a comprehensive profile of the individual. Includes assessment of trauma and use of projective techniques to explore further underlying dynamics.
Diagnostic Summary and Recommendations: Involves a cohesive diagnosis based on integration of all above information and collaboration among team members involved in report. Provides concise summary of all sections, as well as specific recommendations broken down by domain.
Standalone reports, as needed. For example, if youth it is to be referred for intensive services upon discharge, a standalone report is generated to be sent to the MCO as a “prescription” for these services, meeting insurance requirements. This additional document can serve to initiate services prior to discharge, which is important aftercare planning.
Consultation/collaboration with agency staff: An important part of the diagnostic program is including referring agency staff as a team member, regarding integrating information upon referral, as well as discussing findings and recommendations for feasibility in county.
Hugh S. Smith, Ph.D. & Associates, P.C.
Main Office: 1831 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 391-6808
Fax: (717) 391-0709
E-mail: [email protected]
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