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M.S., M.A., Psy.D
20+ Yrs Experience
Clinical & Forensic
What Forensic Psychology Covers
Forensic psychology applies clinical training to the questions courts actually need answered. That might mean figuring out whether an injury affected someone's emotional or cognitive functioning, assessing competency in a criminal case, or tracing how trauma changed a person's behavior after a specific event.
Dr. Dobson's practice covers two core areas:
- Civil Litigation and Personal Injury: assessing validity, truthfulness, and post-injury emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning
- Criminal Evaluation: competency to stand trial, Mentally Disordered Offender (MDO) evaluations, and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) evaluations
Every evaluation follows the same process. Record review, collateral interviews, expert assessment, written reports, depositions, and testimony when needed. This is what distinguishes forensic psychology services from a general opinion. The work is built to function inside a legal proceeding, not adapted for one after the fact.
For Attorneys and Courts
A case built around a psychological question is only as strong as the evaluation supporting it. You need findings built to hold up under opposing counsel's questions, not conclusions that simply sound reasonable on paper.
For legal professionals, this includes:
- Personal injury evaluations documenting emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impact
- Civil litigation support, including damages assessment
- Criminal evaluations covering competency to stand trial, NGRI, and Mentally Disordered Offender (MDO) status
- Full record review and collateral interviews before any opinion is formed
- Expert reports, deposition preparation, and courtroom testimony
| What Your Case Needs | How Dr. Dobson Addresses It |
|---|---|
| Damage assessment that holds up | Personal injury evaluation with documented findings |
| A competency question answered | Criminal evaluation grounded in clinical and forensic standards |
| Reports and testimony built to withstand scrutiny | Findings and testimony prepared to remain consistent under cross-examination |
| A complete picture of the case, not a snapshot | Record review and collateral interviews as standard practice |
A criminal forensic psychologist whom California attorneys can rely on needs to stand entirely apart from the treatment side. Dr. Dobson is not in a therapeutic relationship with the person being evaluated. Her role is to assess what the evidence shows and report it clearly, which is exactly what courts and opposing counsel expect from a forensic psychologist expert witness in California.
For Individuals
If you're in the middle of a legal proceeding, your psychological state is often being discussed by attorneys, insurers, and the court, frequently without much input from you. An independent evaluation changes that. It gives the court an accurate account instead of assumptions shaped by either side.
This applies if you are:
- Pursuing a personal injury claim, and need your emotional, cognitive, or behavioral impact documented
- Involved in a criminal matter where competency or mental state is in question
- Looking for an evaluation that isn't influenced by what either party wants the outcome to be
The independence is what gives the findings their weight. Because neither side's interests shape the evaluation, the decision carries credibility. This is the foundation of the forensic mental health expert CA approach, an assessment grounded in evidence rather than advocacy.
Serving California Statewide
Dr. Dobson's practice is based in Huntington Beach, with cases handled across Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, and the broader Southern California region. Court calendars across these counties move quickly, and most people involved in litigation are also managing jobs, families, and daily routines in busy coastal communities. Working with a forensic assessment psychologist who understands both the clinical work and the pace of California's courts removes one layer of complexity from an already demanding process. For attorneys and clients outside California, coaching and consultation are available, so distance doesn't stand in the way of getting the right evaluation.
Why Work With Dr. Leslie Dobson
Dr. Dobson holds a Psy.D and has spent over 20 years assessing and treating mental health disorders across individual therapy, group therapy, and both criminal and civil law. Half of her practice is dedicated to evidence-based clinical work. The other half is PTSD forensic evaluation in civil litigation and personal injury.
That balance matters. Her evaluations come from someone who understands both treatment and the legal standards a report must meet, rather than from a clinician stepping outside their usual role to testify only occasionally.
What working with Dr. Dobson means for your case:
- Objective, evidence-based evaluations
- Written reports built specifically for legal use
- Experience with depositions and courtroom testimony
- A practice structured around the demands of civil and criminal law from the outset
Frequently Asked Questions
They assess people in civil litigation and personal injury matters, conduct criminal evaluations such as competency assessments, and prepare expert reports, depositions, and testimony for court appearances.
Clinical psychology is the branch that handles diagnosis and therapy. Forensic psychology in Los Angeles applies that same foundation to legal questions, such as competency or the psychological impact of an injury. Dr. Dobson's practice spans both.
Expert witnesses in forensic psychology typically hold a doctoral degree, carry licensure, and have forensic-specific training. They also need to stay independent from any treatment relationship and write reports that hold up under scrutiny.
Yes. The evaluation assesses the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects using record review and collateral interviews, and is documented for use in civil litigation.
It depends on the complexity of the case. Most evaluations involve one or more sessions, a record review, and a written report prepared for the legal proceeding.
Get Started
If you're an attorney building a case around a psychological question, contact Dr. Dobson to discuss your matter and how a PTSD forensic evaluation can support your strategy. If you're an individual with a personal injury claim or criminal proceeding that requires an independent evaluation, reach out to schedule a consultation and get your case properly documented.