Risk Assessment

What type of risk assessments do we offer?

We provide comprehensive risk assessments for individuals involved in the legal system related to problematic sexual behaviours, as well as those involved with various child protection agencies. These assessments determine risk for re-offence, risk of harm, and/or diagnosis of any relevant mental health issues as well as paraphilias (i.e., atypical or unusual sexual interests). Risk assessments typically include clinical interviews, collateral interviews, administration of psychological testing, review of file information, and scoring of objective risk measures. Plethysmograph (PPG) testing is also available as a part of a comprehensive assessment.

How do I know if I, or a loved one, is in need of a forensic assessment?

Do any of these items apply to you or a loved one?

  • Are you facing legal charges as a result of sexual behaviour?
  • Are you looking for an objective assessment of your likelihood to engage in problematic sexual behaviour?
  • Are you involved with a child protection agency and looking for an objective assessment?

Help Is Available

If you said yes to any of the above, you might consider meeting with one of the highly trained mental health professionals in the Risk Assessment Service at CFIR. Mental health professionals in this Service understand your needs and can help you during this challenging process.

Mental health professionals at CFIR can provide you with a comprehensive assessment and then support you to get the help you need.

How can I get a referral to the Risk Assessment Service? Who can refer to this Service?

Risk assessments are typically conducted as part of legal proceedings or involvement with child protection agencies. As such, a referral from your legal counsel, the Crown Attorney, or a child protection agency is required.

What is involved in a risk assessment? How long will the assessment take?

Risk assessments related to sexual behaviour are in-depth assessments and include reviewing many different areas, including an individual’s full social history, alleged behaviour, criminal history, sexual history, personality and mental health. They involve one or more clinical interviews, phone interview of collaterals (e.g. parents, partner etc.), psychological testing, scoring of objective and actuarial risk measures, and the completion of a detailed assessment report. Well-validated and researched plethysmograph testing is also available as part of the assessment.

Documentation required for a risk assessment includes: current criminal record (i.e. CPIC), police report(s), child protection documentation related to relevant investigations, employment/education confirmation, past psychological or forensic assessments, and documentation from legal situations. More detail will be provided regarding the necessary documentation upon discussion of a referral.

The in-person clinical interview(s) and psychological testing typically takes between 6-8 hours.

What type of reports or recommendations might I expect?

A lengthy assessment report is provided summarizing risk for re-offence and/or harm to a specific individual. It will highlight areas of strength as well as any areas in need of treatment intervention.

For More Information

If you are interested in more information about the types of risk assessments offered at CFIR please contact Dr. Ainslie Heasman by clicking here.

Find A Therapist

We have many mental health therapists at each of our locations who offer this service. Please select a location below to see a list: