861-D North Dean Road | Auburn, AL 36830
(334) 887-4343
Dr. Jennifer Abernathy-Smith
About Dr. Abernathy-Smith
Dr. Jennifer Abernathy-Smith is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in forensic assessments of adults. She received her doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. She is licensed as a psychologist in Alabama and Georgia, with almost 10 years of experience in conducting forensic mental health assessments and providing expert testimony. She is also a certified forensic examiner in the state of Alabama.
Forensic mental health assessment applies psychological principles and science to help answer specific legal questions. Evaluations incorporate multiple sources of information including interviews, psychological testing, and a review of records. Through careful review of this information and a comprehensive understanding of an individual's social and psychological background, Dr. Abernathy-Smith routinely provides thorough feedback and reports consistent with the data. Dr. Abernathy-Smith provides assessment services relevant to the following issues:
- Competence to stand trial
- Mental state at the time of offense
- Competence to waive Miranda rights
- Psychosexual evaluations
- Violence risk assessment
- Sexual violence risk assessment
- Psychological assessments
Dr. Abernathy-Smith is strongly committed to approaching the practice of clinical and forensic psychology in accordance with the APA Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, and the governing laws in the state of practice. Accordingly, Dr. Abernathy-Smith limits the scope of her practice to areas in which she maintains expertise through continued scholarship, experience, and education. This is not only of utmost ethical importance, but salient in the context of meeting evidentiary standards for expert witnesses testimony, regardless of the jurisdiction-specific test (e.g,. Frye v. U.S., Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Rules of Evidence).