General

A comprehensive forensic evaluation can help facilitate better-informed legal decision making, or assist you as the attorney by performing evaluations that (depending on their outcome) may be useful in representing your client. A forensic evaluation can help address forensic questions such as “Does my client or defendant qualify for mental health diversion in California?” or “What is my client’s risk to public safety if released and treated in the community?” or “Does my client experience symptoms of PTSD and how has that impacted him?” Secondly, if a person (defendant) has a history of emotional distress, mental health treatment, special education, or cognitive impairment, an evaluation can be used for looking at mitigating factors and showing how the said disability/impairment impacts the client’s (defendant’s) decision making or functional abilities and how it relates to the instant offense. Please call the office of RPK Forensic Psychological and Consultation Services Inc. for a free 20-minute case consultation to find out how one of our specialized evaluations can assist you and your client. If you are a client interested in this service, please have your attorney reach out to us first. Issues that may warrant a forensic evaluation when being involved in a legal matter:
  • History of Trauma (sexual/physical/emotional abuse and/or general neglect)
  • History of Learning Difficulties
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Memory Impairment
  • Intellectual Difficulties
  • Attention/Concentration Impairment
  • Mental Health History
  • Current Emotional Distress
Forensic evaluations are not covered by insurance as they are not medically necessary. They are for the purpose of psycho-legal matters.
We pride ourselves on an efficient turnaround time. In most cases, this will be upon conclusion of the in-person interview. However, in some cases, we will need to request and review additional records. Typically, after you retain our services and provide discovery and other records, we will schedule the evaluation and any collateral interviews. Scheduling turnaround time is between two and eight weeks. If your case needs to be expedited, we can discuss arrangements to complete the evaluation and report in a shorter time frame. We typically send the report within two weeks of the session. Please discuss any time constraint issues with Dr. Pleshchuk before scheduling.

We offer different types of evaluations. Each one is customized to meet your or your client’s needs. Forensic evaluations vary in hours needed. You are welcome to email our office to discuss the estimated total cost for your specific evaluation. For private firm attorneys, we can send a retainer agreement and fee schedule for your review. Our office can send you the detailed breakdown of hours, psychological tests, and total fees for the court order.

Usual and customary rates are posted in the Services & Fees section. The hourly rate is $400 per hour (record review, psychological testing, clinical interview, report writing, attorney consultation, etc). Following an initial consultation, a retainer of 5 hours ($2000) is customarily submitted along with this office's fee agreement. To begin work on a case, you must submit all retainer payments and the signed contract. Schedule A letters are $750 to cover the evaluation, record review (if applicable), and letter.

Although we do not have a sliding scale, in cases where the referral source does not have the means to pay our usual and customary fee we are open to negotiating the fee.
Yes, we conduct telemedicine appointments using a HIPAA-complaint service provider (Doxy) as long as you reside in the State of California or New Hampshire. Depending on the type of evaluation, however, this type of evaluation may not be appropriate. If you contact us, we can clarify if this sort of approach would meet your needs.
RPK Forensic Psychological and Consultation Services Inc. is 100% focused on psychological assessments in clinical, forensic, and public safety situations. Therefore, we do not provide therapy or counseling services at this time. We could provide a referral for these services if you are interested.
You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like tests, consultation and other service fees.
  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your  service. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call HHS toll free 1-877-696-6775