Forensic Evaluations and Expert Services

​

MindfulCo Inc. provides bilingual forensic psychological services in English and Spanish for attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, courts, agencies, and families throughout South Carolina. Services are led by Dr. Jessica Peña-Cabana, a dual-doctorate clinician with more than 20 years of experience in therapy, psychological assessment, clinical supervision, and forensic evaluation. Her work is grounded in objectivity, cultural responsiveness, careful documentation, and clearly supported conclusions.

 

Services Offered

• Child Custody Evaluations: Comprehensive evaluations may include interviews with parents and children, psychological testing, record review, collateral interviews, parent-child observations, assessment of family dynamics, and recommendations focused on the child’s safety, stability, and best interests.

• Parental Capacity and Parenting Fitness Evaluations: These evaluations examine parenting strengths and limitations, judgment, emotional functioning, protective capacity, response to stress, and the ability to meet a child’s developmental, behavioral, and psychological needs.

• Forensic Psychological Evaluations: Independent evaluations are available for family court, civil matters, trauma-related claims, domestic violence concerns, diagnostic clarification, functional impairment, behavioral health questions, and other legally relevant issues.

• Child and Adolescent Forensic Interviewing: Interviews are conducted using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, neutral, and non-leading methods, with careful attention to documentation, memory, suggestibility, cultural factors, and emotional safety.

• Immigration Psychological Evaluations: Bilingual evaluations may address extreme hardship, asylum, trauma, domestic violence, family separation, fear of return, and the psychological effects of removal or relocation.

• Expert Witness and Litigation Consultation:Services may include record review, case consultation, review of psychological reports, evaluation of testing methods, deposition and trial preparation, expert testimony, and consultation regarding trauma, parenting, domestic violence, and family-system concerns.

 

The Evaluation Process

Depending on the referral question, the process may include:

1. Initial consultation and clarification of the legal or clinical questions

2. Review of court orders, pleadings, treatment records, and other relevant documents

3. Clinical or forensic interviews

4. Psychological testing and structured assessment

5. Collateral interviews or behavioral observations when appropriate

6. Integration of findings and preparation of a comprehensive written report

7. Feedback, consultation, deposition, or testimony when requested

The scope of each evaluation is determined by the referral question, court order, available records, and professional role requested.

 

Why Choose MindfulCo Inc.

MindfulCo Inc. offers:

• Bilingual services in English and Spanish available

• More than 20 years of clinical experience and experienced clinical team

• Dual-doctorate training in clinical and forensic psychology

• Advanced education in law, psychology, Forensic, negotiation, and mediation

• Structured psychological assessment

• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices

• Clear, professionally organized reports

• Consultation and testimony for attorneys and courts

Complex cases require thoughtful analysis rather than assumptions. Dr. Peña-Cabana approaches each referral with attention to the legal question, the psychological evidence, the limitations of the available information, and the individuals affected by the outcome.

 

Initiating a Referral

Attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, courts, agencies, and other authorized professionals may begin by submitting the referral questions, applicable court order, relevant pleadings, background information, and available records. Individuals and families may also request information about services. Before work begins, the scope, fees, records needed, professional role, and limits of confidentiality are clearly explained.