Independent perspective.
Forensic psychology / Medical-legal evaluations
Where psychology
meets the evidence.
Independent psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for civil litigation, personal injury and California workers’ compensation.
01 / Expertise
Medical-legal
evaluations.
Psychological assessment and consultation for attorneys and professional referral sources.
01Workers’ compensation / QMEPsychological injury · Causation · Apportionment
Psychology QME evaluations
Evaluation of disputed psychological questions in California workers’ compensation. Depending on the referral and applicable standards, questions may concern diagnosis, industrial causation, functional impairment and apportionment.
Panel QME selection and AME agreement follow distinct procedures. A website inquiry does not appoint an evaluator. Initial contact should concern administrative scheduling only; substantive case communications and records require the appropriate process.
Read about QME and AME pathwaysQME / AME scheduling information02Independent evaluationsPsychological · Neuropsychological
A focused assessment of functioning
Independent psychological evaluations consider emotional symptoms, diagnosis and functioning. Neuropsychological evaluation examines cognitive concerns, such as attention and memory, in relation to history, context and everyday functioning.
The referral question determines whether either approach, or a combination, is appropriate. Testing is interpreted alongside records and interview findings; it does not establish the cause of an injury by itself.
Explore independent psychological evaluations03Personal injuryCivil litigation · Emotional distress · Cognitive concerns
Psychological questions in personal injury matters
Assessment may address emotional distress, trauma-related symptoms, cognitive concerns following injury, and changes in daily functioning. Relevant questions can include differential diagnosis, contributing factors, prognosis and treatment needs.
Inquiries from plaintiff and defense counsel are welcome. Opinions depend on the evidence and the accepted scope of the evaluation.
Explore personal injury evaluations04Consultation & recordsRecords review · Diagnostic analysis
Clarify what the available evidence can answer
Focused records review and attorney consultation can help identify relevant psychological questions, gaps in the record and assessment needs. The scope is agreed before work begins.
When a question requires direct assessment, records review alone cannot replace an examination. Any opinion identifies the information relied upon and its limitations.
Discuss a consultationRead the attorney resource guide05Fitness for dutyPsychological functioning · Job demands
Work demands and psychological functioning
Fitness-for-duty inquiries address psychological functioning in relation to essential job duties. The specific role, referral authority, job demands, required expertise and limits of confidentiality must be established before an evaluation is accepted.
Discuss the requested scope02 / The BonPsy approach
How the evidence
is evaluated.
Independent of the retaining party.
Responsive to the evidence.
- 01 /
Review
Define the referral question. Examine relevant records, history and the context in which an opinion is requested.
- 02 /
Evaluate
Select interviews, standardized measures and collateral sources appropriate to the question and the individual.
- 03 /
Analyze
Consider validity, alternative explanations and the consistency of findings across sources. Identify limitations.
- 04 /
Communicate
Explain the findings and reasoning in a clear report that distinguishes evidence, interpretation and uncertainty.
The specific process depends on the referral question, appointment or engagement, available information and examination needs.
03 / Meet the expert
Clinical depth.
Analytical precision.
Independent perspective.
Dr. Colleen Long, Psy.D.
Psychologist · California Qualified Medical Evaluator
Dr. Long’s work brings psychological and neuropsychological assessment to questions arising in civil litigation, personal injury and workers’ compensation.
Her assessment background includes supervised health psychology and neuropsychology training, doctoral research on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and continuing education in medical-legal report writing.
- Doctoral education
- Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Health Emphasis
Spalding University · 2008 - Professional license
- California psychologist · PSY23911
- Medical-legal designation
- Qualified Medical Evaluator · Psychology
- Practice base
- Mission Viejo, Orange County
Selected assessment training & research
- Supervised practicum · 2006
- Pathways / Christopher East, Louisville: health psychology and neuropsychology services with traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury and geriatric inpatients.
- Doctoral research · 2007
- Dissertation examining orientation and cognitive functional outcome in a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation setting.
- Continuing education · 2026
- OrthoLegal 16-hour report-writing course; certificate of completion, March 2026.
Selected training and research are documented in the professional CV.
04 / Before you refer
Evaluation FAQs.
How does a QME differ from an independent psychological evaluation?
A California QME evaluates disputed medical issues within the workers’ compensation system. An independent psychological evaluation in a civil matter addresses the questions defined by its engagement or legal process. The terms describe different roles and procedures; they are not interchangeable.
QME and AME selection, records and communications must follow the applicable workers’ compensation requirements. See the California DWC overview.
What records are useful before an evaluation?
Start with the referral question and a record index. Relevant materials may include medical and mental-health records, prior assessments, treatment history, and documentation of functioning before and after an event. The evaluator will clarify what is needed and how records should be transferred. Do not send records with the initial inquiry.
Can testing clarify causation?
Psychological and neuropsychological testing can contribute to an assessment of symptoms and functioning. Causation requires a broader analysis of history, timing, records, alternative explanations and the applicable referral question. Neither a diagnosis nor a test score alone establishes that a particular event caused a condition.
How are preexisting conditions considered?
Prior symptoms, treatment and functioning are considered alongside subsequent changes and other contributing factors. A preexisting condition does not by itself answer whether there is new impairment or what caused it. Workers’ compensation apportionment involves a distinct analysis under the applicable standards.
What is the role of validity assessment?
Validity assessment helps determine how confidently test performance and symptom reports can be interpreted. Findings are considered with the full record, clinical observations and relevant individual circumstances. An isolated validity result is not, by itself, a conclusion about intentional deception.
What geographic areas are served?
The practice is based in Mission Viejo and welcomes appropriate referrals from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties. Confirm the examination location and format for your matter. Service coverage does not imply an office in each county or that every evaluation is suitable for remote administration.
How is confidentiality handled?
A medical-legal evaluation has a different purpose and confidentiality framework from treatment. Before proceeding, the evaluator explains the role, intended recipients of findings and applicable limits. Records transfer is arranged through an appropriate channel after scope and authority are established. This website and general email are not channels for confidential records.
Educational information; the requirements of an individual matter depend on its context. DWC guidance · APA forensic guidelines
05 / Assessment insights
Diagnosis &
interpretation.
Differential diagnosis
Similar complaints can arise for different reasons. Difficulty concentrating, for example, may need to be considered alongside sleep, pain, emotional symptoms, medication, developmental history and neurological concerns. Differential diagnosis evaluates plausible explanations using the available history, records, interview and appropriate assessment.
A useful report explains how the findings support or weaken different interpretations and identifies unresolved questions. Symptom and performance validity findings inform interpretation; no isolated measure resolves every competing explanation or establishes intentional deception.
Diagnosis, functional impairment and causation are related but distinct questions. An assessment should state which questions it can address, what additional information may be needed and where conclusions remain limited.
Educational overview · October 14, 2026. Professional framework: APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology.
Psychological or neuropsychological evaluation?
Psychological assessment may focus on emotional symptoms, diagnosis and functioning. Neuropsychological assessment examines cognitive concerns in the context of the person’s history and everyday functioning. These approaches can overlap; the referral question determines the appropriate scope and methods.
Dr. Long’s independent-evaluation overview explains how questions, records, examination arrangements and deliverables are established before retention.
Read about independent evaluations and scope06 / Contact
Discuss a case.
Contact Dr. Long about an independent evaluation, records review or attorney consultation.
Request a consultationQME / AME scheduling
For appointments, scheduling and administrative questions.
Request scheduling informationPlease arrange secure transfer before sending medical records or confidential case material.