Steffan
Forensic
Group
JARROD S. STEFFAN, PhD
Our Mission
“Every opinion reviewed. Every conclusion supported. Every evaluation built to withstand scrutiny.”
At Steffan Forensic Group, our mission is to deliver objective, scientifically grounded forensic psychological evaluations that uphold the highest standards of integrity, rigor, and legal relevance. Every evaluation is conducted with disciplined attention to detail and is carefully reviewed to ensure accuracy, fairness, and defensibility under scrutiny. Through direct supervision and mentorship of our forensic evaluators, we maintain a consistent standard of excellence across all cases, providing courts and counsel with clear, reliable opinions that meaningfully assist in legal decision-making.
At Steffan Forensic Group, each evaluation is conducted through a structured, methodical process designed to ensure accuracy, objectivity, and legal relevance. Our work is guided by established forensic standards and tailored to the specific referral question in each case.
Attorneys and courts select Steffan Forensic Group when accuracy, credibility, and objectivity are critical. With thousands of evaluations and extensive testimony experience, our work reflects depth, consistency, and real-world forensic application.
Our Process
Comprehensive Case Review
Every evaluation begins with a thorough review of records, including legal documents, clinical history, collateral information, and relevant background data. This process ensures that opinions are grounded in a complete understanding of the case context.
Individualized, Data-Driven Assessment
Each examinee undergoes a carefully structured evaluation utilizing appropriate clinical interviews, standardized assessment instruments, and forensic methodologies. No two cases are approached identically—each is evaluated based on the specific legal and psychological issues presented.
Collateral Corroboration
Information provided by the examinee is systematically evaluated against available records and collateral sources. This process supports accuracy, consistency, and defensibility in the formulation of opinions.
Objective Analysis & Opinion Formation
All findings are synthesized using empirically supported methods and aligned with the relevant legal standard. Opinions are developed with a commitment to neutrality, scientific rigor, and practical utility for the court.
Rigorous Review & Quality Assurance
Every evaluation conducted within the practice is reviewed under the supervision of Dr. Jarrod Steffan. This ensures consistent adherence to the highest standards of forensic practice, including clarity, completeness, and evidentiary support for all conclusions.
Clear, Defensible Reporting
Final reports are well-organized, transparent, and directly responsive to the referral question, allowing attorneys and courts to easily understand the basis for conclusions. Reports are written with the expectation that they will be closely examined in litigation and cross-examination.
Ongoing Consultation & Testimony
We remain available to counsel for case consultation following the evaluation and, when requested, provide deposition or courtroom testimony. Our goal is to ensure that our findings are clearly understood and effectively communicated in legal proceedings.
SERVICES OFFERED:
Criminal Forensic Services:
Mental State at the Time of the Offense
Evaluations addressing the defendant’s psychological functioning at the time of the alleged offense,
including applicability of jurisdiction-specific mental condition defenses such as:
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Lack of mens rea
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Not guilty by reason of mental illness / insanity
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Mental disease or defect excluding responsibility
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Guilty but mentally ill and related statutory defenses
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Federal standards under the Insanity Defense Reform Act
Adjudicative Competency
Assessment of the defendant’s functional abilities relevant to legal proceedings, including:
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Competency to stand trial
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Competency to waive Miranda rights and other legal rights
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Competency to enter a plea
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Competency for execution
Sentencing, Mitigation, and Psychosexual Evaluations
Comprehensive evaluations to inform sentencing decisions, plea negotiations, and case resolution.
These assessments may address:
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Psychological and developmental factors relevant to culpability
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Mitigating circumstances
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Mental health treatment needs
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Sexual behavior risk and deviant interests
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Risk to public safety
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Community placement planning
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Suitability for community supervision
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Amenability to offender rehabilitation services
False or Disputed Confessions
Evaluation of psychological factors that may contribute to unreliable or disputed statements, including:
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Suggestibility and compliance
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Interrogation-related vulnerabilities
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Cognitive, developmental, personality, and psychiatric factors
Death Penalty and High-Stakes Litigation
Forensic consultation and evaluation in complex cases involving severe penalties, with attention to:
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Complex diagnostic appraisals
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Mitigation development
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Mental health and neuropsychological factors
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Risk and behavioral analysis
Juvenile Forensic Services:
Evaluations tailored to the unique legal and developmental considerations of juvenile cases, including:
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Diagnostic assessments
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Amenability to treatment and disposition planning
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Psychosexual evaluations
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Competency to stand trial
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Transfer (certification) to adult court
Civil Forensic Services:
Personal Injury and Workers Compensation
Evaluations involving:
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Psychological factors related to injury, impairment, and functional limitations.
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Pre-injury and post-injury functioning
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Functional impairment ratings
Employment-Related Evaluations
Assessments involving:
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Discrimination and harassment claims
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Psychological damages
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Fitness for duty
Capacity Evaluations
Assessment of decision-making capacity in legal contexts, including:
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Guardianship
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Testamentary capacity (wills)
Psychological Autopsy
Postmortem reconstruction of psychological functioning relevant to:
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Cause and manner of death
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Liability-related questions
Consultation and Case Review
In addition to formal evaluations, Steffan Forensic Group provides:
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Case consultation to attorneys
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Independent review of opposing expert reports
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Records analysis and strategic input for litigation
Jarrod S. Steffan, PhD
Licenses
Kansas #1677
Missouri #35569
Dr. Jarrod Steffan is a forensic psychologist and expert witness known for delivering objective, scientifically grounded opinions that withstand rigorous legal scrutiny. He has provided expert testimony in more than 165 cases and has been qualified in both state and federal courts across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, having been retained by both defense and prosecution.
Dr. Steffan has conducted over 2,000 comprehensive forensic evaluations in criminal and legal proceedings, with additional experience in more than 2,000 consultative disability examinations. His practice is focused primarily on criminal matters, with particular expertise in competency to stand trial, mental state at the time of the offense, psychosexual evaluations, and mitigation. His work is frequently utilized in plea negotiations, sentencing proceedings, and complex case resolutions.
Widely regarded for his integrity, thoroughness, and independence, Dr. Steffan approaches each case with disciplined skepticism and a commitment to uncovering accurate, data-supported conclusions. Each evaluation is treated as unique, with careful attention to the relevant legal framework, objective and methodical analysis, and clear alignment with forensic psychology professional standards, making them highly defensible under cross-examination and useful to courts.
Attorneys consistently recognize Dr. Steffan for producing well-reasoned, transparent, and legally relevant reports. He is known as a careful and deliberate evaluator who does not accept information at face value, but instead applies a rigorous, evidence-based process to reach conclusions that are both clinically sound and legally meaningful.
Dr. Steffan is the founder of Steffan Forensic Group, LLC, and has maintained a private practice in forensic psychology since 2007. He holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University and completed specialized forensic training through an accredited internship at the Oklahoma Forensic Center and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Behavioral Medicine and the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine.
Dr. Steffan’s work is grounded in a singular principle: forensic opinions must be independent, empirically supported, and capable of withstanding the highest levels of legal scrutiny.
Education
Postdoctoral:
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (www.med.umkc.edu)
and Center for Behavioral Medicine (formerly known as Western Missouri Mental Health Center - WMMHC), Kansas City, Missouri (http://cbm-psychologytraining.com/)
Internship:
Northeastern Oklahoma Psychology Internship Program (APA accredited) (www.nopip.org)
Graduate:
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (www.ttu.edu)
Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (APA accredited)
Master of Arts in Psychology (APA accredited)
Undergraduate:
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (www.k-state.edu)
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Professional Memberships
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American Psychology-Law Society, Division 41 of the American Psychological Association (APA) (www.ap-ls.org)
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Psychologists in Independent Practice, Division 42 of APA (www.division42.org)
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Psychologists in Public Service, Division 18 of APA (www.apa.org/about/division/div18.aspx)
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Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (www.atsa.com)
Continuing Education
Dr. Steffan is engaged in continuing educational activities, including attendance and presentations at local, regional, and national workshops and conferences.
Evaluators
Meet the REST OF THE team! Our team of skilled evaluators are dedicated to providing thorough and objective assessments. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in our evaluations.
Erika Warbinton, PhD
Dr. Erika Warbinton earned her Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University. She is licensed in Kansas and holds a PSYPACT license, allowing her to provide psychological services across participating states.
Since entering the field in 2014, Dr. Warbinton has built a diverse clinical and forensic background, including experience in inpatient psychiatric hospitals across both Kansas and Oklahoma. Her clinical work has spanned both psychotherapy and assessment, including providing psychotherapy in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as conducting extensive comprehensive psychological diagnostic evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, and forensic evaluations. Prior to entering private practice, Dr. Warbinton served for four years as Director of Behavioral Health at a federally qualified health center, where she oversaw behavioral health services and clinical operations.
Dr. Warbinton approaches each evaluation with eager openness, seeking to gain a thorough understanding of the individual case and the broader circumstances that led to the referral. This approach allows her to provide thoughtful, well-contextualized findings that support sound clinical and legal conclusions. In addition to her evaluation work, Dr. Warbinton has experience providing expert testimony in court, bringing clarity and clinical insight to legal proceedings.
Caitlin Powers, LCP
Ms. Caitlin Powers, LCP, is an independently Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist with extensive experience specializing in forensic psychology. After obtaining her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University in 2014, Caitlin pursued her passion for forensic psychology through years of providing post-incarceration sexual offense treatment as well as conducting psychological, psychosexual, and competency to stand trial evaluations for adults and juveniles through state and federal contracts. In addition to her longstanding forensic and clinical practice, Caitlin has extensive experience and knowledge in community mental health, crisis intervention, and residential substance use treatment. Her diverse clinical background provides a strong foundation for comprehensive forensic evaluations across a broad range of psychological and legal contexts.
Caitlin’s breadth of knowledge, experience, and lifelong interest in forensic psychology has led her to a dedicated career in conducting over a thousand psychosexual, mitigation, and mediation evaluations throughout Kansas for adults and juveniles with a range of criminal charges and in various stages of legal proceedings. Similarly, Caitlin is knowledgeable and well-equipped to provide expert testimony for mitigation proceedings and is committed to maintaining fairness and impartiality throughout the legal process.
Caitlin approaches every evaluation with intellectual curiosity, clinical rigor, and independence. Through comprehensive clinical interviews, psychological assessment, and collateral information, Caitlin develops thorough diagnostic conceptualizations with well-supported conclusions and recommendations. Recognizing that the integrity of a forensic evaluation depends upon independence, Caitlin’s conclusions remain evidence-driven and professionally defensible, regardless of the outcome or referral source’s position. Caitlin is committed to producing evaluations that clearly and concisely articulate complex clinical findings, plans for intervention and risk management, and an individual’s amenability to treatment and rehabilitation services. Dedicated to lifelong learning and professional excellence, Caitlin regularly pursues advanced education and specialized training to ensure her practice reflects current developments in forensic psychology and the criminal justice system.
Keelee Hockett, LCMFT
Keelee Hockett, LCMFT, is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 15 years of experience in the mental health field, including over 13 years specializing in forensic behavioral health. She earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University and has extensive experience in correctional and forensic settings. Keelee served as the Clinical Supervisor for the State of Kansas's sexual offense treatment program for numerous years and provided clinical services within a maximum security correctional facility. These roles provided her with substantial experience evaluating complex clinical presentations, understanding offender behavior, and working at the intersection of mental health and the legal system.
Keelee specializes in conducting forensic mental health evaluations of adults and juveniles involved in various stages of the legal process. She completes evaluations that include psychosexual, mitigation, diagnostic, and other court-related forensic evaluations with referrals primarily originating from attorneys. Her evaluations integrate comprehensive record review, in-depth clinical interviews, behavioral observations, collateral information, and assessment measures. Keelee works collaboratively with Dr. Steffan to incorporate psychological testing into comprehensive forensic evaluations and is committed to providing balanced, objective, and well-supported conclusions grounded in the available clinical and collateral information to assist attorneys and the courts in addressing complex forensic questions.
Keelee approaches every evaluation with professionalism, objectivity, and fairness while recognizing the significant legal and personal impact of forensic evaluations. She strives to communicate complex clinical determinations in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable, ensuring her findings are well supported, impartial, and directly responsive to the referral questions. She finds forensic evaluation intellectually engaging and professionally rewarding.
Interested in joining our team?
At Steffan Forensic Group, we are committed to building a team of professionals who share a dedication to integrity, scientific rigor, and excellence in forensic psychological practice. We work with psychologists and mental health clinicians who are motivated to produce high-quality, defensible work that meaningfully contributes to legal decision-making.
We welcome interest from:
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Licensed Psychologists
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Postdoctoral Fellows and Psychology Interns seeking forensic specialization
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Advanced clinicians with relevant forensic experience
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Mental health professionals interested in transitioning into forensic practice
Opportunities may include:
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Conducting forensic evaluations under supervision and mentoring
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Developing specialized expertise in competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, mitigation, and risk assessment
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Receiving structured feedback to improve report writing and courtroom readiness
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Gradually expanding independent forensic responsibilities within the practice
What We Offer:
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Mentorship in high-level forensic services
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Exposure to complex and high-stakes legal cases
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A collaborative, professional environment
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Development of skills necessary to produce work that withstands scrutiny
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Affiliation with a practice known for rigor, credibility, and high standards
How to Inquire
Professionals interested in joining or collaborating
with Steffan Forensic Group are encouraged to submit:
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Curriculum vitae (CV)
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Brief statement of interest
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Description of forensic experience or training (if applicable)
Inquiries may be directed through our contact page.
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At Steffan Forensic Group, our fee structure reflects the time, expertise, and rigor required to produce thorough, defensible forensic evaluations. We are committed to transparency in billing and flexibility in payment options, while maintaining the highest standards of professional work.
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Fees vary depending on the type of forensic evaluation, case complexity, and scope of services requested, including record review, testing, report preparation, consultation, depositions, courtroom testimony, and travel. Detailed fee information and estimated ranges are provided during the initial consultation, once the referral needs are fully defined.
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Steffan Forensic Group is an established expert service approved by the Board of Indigent Defense Services in Kansas and routinely contracts with the agency to provide clinical forensic reports. We can assist with the needed contracts to complete these evaluations.
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In addition, we routinely contract directly with district courts, probation offices, district attorneys, social service agencies, and law firms.
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We accept private referral/private pay cases, in which most cases require an initial retainer that is applied toward the total cost of services. Work begins upon receipt of the retainer and required documentation. Additional billing may occur if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates.
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We accept checks and money orders, and credit card payments may be completed through square.com
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Ongoing work may require replenishment of retainer funds or securing additional contract hours. Payment may be required prior to release of final reports and/or testimony scheduling. All fees are billed in accordance with professional and ethical standards.