Forensic psychological assessment

As an expert for the submission of forecast reports, I am entered into the list of experts in accordance with the Measures Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Section 16 (4) MRVG NRW).

I prepare forensic-psychological expert reports in a timely manner and comprehensible language. In doing so, I use the most modern forensic-psychological examination methods. My procedure corresponds to the current state of the science. My focus lies on criminal law or respectively the rights of criminal enforcement. This usually involves criminal prognoses as well as tests of culpability.

The use of standardised instruments for criminal prognosis is routine for me. These include criminal prognosis instruments such as PCL-R, HCR-20, "Dittmann List", Static-99, as well as psychometric tests to diagnose personality, intelligence, etc. I have worked with severe cases in my clinical practice.

In the course of my clinical work, I have been able to gain experience mainly in the field of accommodation according to § 64 StGB. In this area, I am therefore particularly qualified to assess the indication as well as the course of therapy and the legal and treatment prognosis. In addition, I have multicultural competencies as well as knowledge of residence law, which is becoming more and more important in the assessments.

In addition to German, I am able to conduct forensic psychological examinations in Czech/Slovakian, Dutch and English. Furthermore, I have knowledge of the Russian language.

Expert orders by post.

Psychotherapy Behind Bars

I have many years of experience in forensic psychiatry, or "Maßregelvollzug" (penal enforcement), and this both in the "Entziehungsanstalt" (rehab facility) (§ 64 StGB) and the psychiatric hospital (§ 63 StGB). In addition, I was also able to gain in-depth professional experience in the “Justizvollzug” (correctional facility).

My expertise in psychodynamic psychotherapy is particularly well-suited to the treatment of complex disturbance patterns, which are usually suffered by clients in correctional facilities or penal enforcement. Mentalization-based therapy (Fonagy & Bateman, 2010), which I usually use in this setting, is an evidence-based therapy method that has proven to be extremely effective in the treatment of personality disorders and their comorbidities (e.g. addictive disorders).

Often, criminal acts are a symptom or rather acting out of the mental illness at hand. In some circumstances, it can also be a "cry for help". For example, prison can replace the role of the father (cf. Pecher, 1989) or the mother (cf. Möller, 1993).

Successful psychotherapy significantly reduces the tendency to crime. In addition to treating mental disorders, the goal of therapy is to achieve a satisfying and fulfilling life after release. This in turn has the consequence that delinquency is understood and perceived as pointless and/or (self-) damaging.

Forensic psychology & psychotherapy