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Forensic Mental Health Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Mental Health Program Manager

Richmond, VA · On-site

$65K - $67K/yr

The Program Manager for a Forensic Mental Health Group Home is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the delivery of mental health services, managing budgetary resources, ensuring regulatory ...

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$137K

How much do forensic mental health jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic mental health in the United States is $87,877.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $111,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is forensic mental health?

Forensic mental health is a specialized field that focuses on the intersection between mental health and the legal or criminal justice system. Professionals in this area assess, treat, and provide expert opinions regarding individuals involved in legal cases who may have mental health disorders. This can include evaluating a person's competency to stand trial, assessing risk, providing therapy to offenders, and consulting with courts or law enforcement. Forensic mental health specialists work in settings like hospitals, prisons, and court systems, helping ensure both public safety and appropriate treatment for individuals with mental health needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in forensic mental health, and why are they important?

To thrive in Forensic Mental Health, you need a solid background in psychology or psychiatry, mental health assessment, and knowledge of the legal system, usually supported by advanced degrees and relevant licensure. Familiarity with risk assessment tools, forensic report writing, and case management software is often required. Strong soft skills include empathy, resilience, critical thinking, and effective communication to interact with patients and legal professionals. These skills are vital for ensuring accurate assessments, safeguarding patient and public safety, and facilitating collaboration across mental health and legal settings.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in forensic mental health settings?

Professionals in forensic mental health often encounter challenges such as balancing patient confidentiality with legal obligations, managing high-risk or resistant clients, and navigating complex ethical dilemmas. The work environment can be fast-paced and emotionally demanding, especially when working within correctional facilities or court systems. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as the role involves frequent collaboration with legal professionals, law enforcement, and multidisciplinary clinical teams.

What is the difference between Forensic Mental Health vs Clinical Psychologist?

AspectForensic Mental HealthClinical Psychologist
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Psychology, licensure, specialized training in forensic settingsDoctorate in Psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), licensure, clinical training
Work EnvironmentCourts, correctional facilities, forensic hospitalsHospitals, clinics, private practices, community health centers
Employer & IndustryLegal system, correctional institutions, forensic hospitalsHealthcare, mental health services, private practice
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Forensic Mental Health professionals focus on assessing and treating individuals within the legal system, often working in correctional or forensic hospital settings. Clinical Psychologists provide therapy and assessment in general healthcare environments. While both require advanced psychology degrees and licensure, forensic mental health specialists have specialized training for legal and criminal contexts.

How to get into forensic mental health?

To pursue a career in forensic mental health, individuals typically need a relevant degree such as psychology, social work, or criminal justice, along with specialized training or certification in forensic assessment or mental health. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in mental health or criminal justice settings is also valuable, and licensure or certification may be required depending on the role and jurisdiction.

What is forensic mental health work?

Forensic mental health work involves assessing and treating individuals involved in the criminal justice system who have mental health issues. Professionals in this field, such as forensic psychologists or psychiatrists, evaluate mental competency, provide expert testimony, and develop treatment plans within secure or clinical settings. Certification and knowledge of legal procedures are often required for these roles.
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Forensic Mental Health jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Mental Health job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,877 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Forensic Mental Health Practitioner

Sevita Health

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Sevita Health rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 285 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

788th of 891 rated healthcare providers

Job description

SpringPath Mental Health Services, a part of the Sevita family, provides behavioral health services through Intensive Residential Treatment, Assertive Community Treatment, and Targeted Case Management programs. We embrace a person-centered approach that is trauma informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented. Our dedicated team supports individuals with mental health, psychiatric, or other complex needs to overcome challenges, build skills, and live a full, meaningful life.
SUMMARY
The Forensic Mental Health Practitioner primary role is to assist the person served is working on recovery goals while navigating their competency restoration requirements. Primary duties would be to educate and coordinate with the person served to ensure they are meeting the requirements for their competency restoration, connecting with the person served if they are struggling to remain in the program and assisting them with creating a treatment plan that meet their goals. Forensic Mental Health Practitioners also connect with the person served in community settings (such as attending court) to assist with returning to treatment or completing tasks needed for competency restoration. Secondary Roles would be to coordinate with the person served mental health practitioner or be the primary mental health practitioner to ensure that treatment goals and documentation are encompassing their goals and the requirements of competency restoration. Forensic Mental Health Practitioners help guide, support and advocate for their person served as they undergo competency evaluations, competency restoration treatment and transition into the community.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential function listed below.
  • Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information
  • Counsel clients individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
  • Variety of Assessments
  • Assist with developing client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
  • Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations
  • Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
  • Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
  • Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
  • Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
  • Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
  • Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
  • Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic form.
  • Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Performs other related duties and activities as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • None

Minimum Knowledge and Skills required for the Job
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required to perform the job.
Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness;
  • Or Graduate degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields and a minimum of 2,000 post BA hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
  • Requires only that license which may be required based on education and standards determined by educational/degree guidelines. All Practitioners are supported in gaining certification as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. The agency encourages staff to seek license at the highest standard permitted by his/her education and experience.
  • M ajority of work is performed in the IRTS setting with some interactions or time in the community with the person served. The Forensic Navigator is required to have a well-maintained car with current car insurance, a safe driving record, and valid driver's license. A company Van may be on site and available for use. Must maintain a clear criminal background study check (Rule 11), and sexual conduct questionnaire (MN Statute 148A). The Forensic Navigator rotates on-call with several other team members for emergency consultation and coverage needs.

Other Skills and Abilities:
  • Requires demonstration of the ability to conduct functional assessments, develop treatment plans, provide crisis and behavioral management, provide goal directed individual counseling, facilitate groups, teach skills, provide case management, problem-solve, and communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.
  • Able to perform duties independently and as a team.
  • Requires demonstration through training and testing within a designated time frame of the following core competency areas: First Aide/CPR, Data Privacy (HIPPA), Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Medication Monitoring/Administration, Principles and Techniques of Psychiatric Rehabilitation (including Over-All Rehabilitation Goal Setting, Functional Assessment, Skills Teaching and Programming), Empathy/Motivational Training, Working with Persons Experiencing Mania, Hallucinations, and Delusions, and Relapse Prevention Planning.
  • A general understanding of the Competency Restoration Process (preferred)
  • A strong understanding of Civil Commitment Process (preferred)
  • A general understanding of working with forensic based systems and support individuals in those systems (preferred)

Other Requirements:
  • Travel as needed

Physical Requirements:
  • Heavy work. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Pay Rate: $55,000-$58,000
Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care. We believe that everyone deserves to live a full, more independent life. We provide people with quality services and individualized supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face.
We've made this our mission for more than 50 years. And today, our 40,000 team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000 individuals we serve all over the U.S.
As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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About Sevita

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care. We believe that everyone deserves to live a full, more independent life. We provide people with quality services and individualized support that leads to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. We've made this our mission for more than 50 years. And today, our 40,000 team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000 individuals we serve. We're an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care, similar companies include Brookedale Senior Living, A New Hope, and North Star.

Industry

Nursing and residential care facilities

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1980

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