Fitness for Duty Psychological Evaluations
Supporting Safety, Well-Being, and Professional Integrity with Compassion and Clarity
In the workplace, mental and emotional wellness matter just as much as physical health especially in high-stress or safety-sensitive professions. Whether you’re an employer, an employee, or part of an organization that values the health of its team, a Fitness for Duty Evaluation provides essential insight into an individual’s psychological readiness to perform their professional responsibilities safely and effectively.
At Charison Counseling, we provide confidential, professional, and compassionate Fitness for Duty Evaluations that focus on both the individual and the organization. Our goal is simple: to help ensure workplace safety and support emotional well-being while treating every person involved with respect, empathy, and dignity.
What Is a Fitness for Duty Evaluation?
A Fitness for Duty Evaluation (FFDE) also known as a psychological clearance or return-to-work assessment is a structured, evidence-based evaluation used to determine whether an individual is emotionally and mentally able to perform their job responsibilities safely and effectively.
These evaluations are often requested when:
- An employee displays emotional, behavioral, or performance changes that raise concern.
- A worker returns to duty after a medical or mental health leave.
- A position involves high responsibility or public safety (e.g., law enforcement, healthcare, transportation, aviation, or education).
- An employer seeks objective guidance on how to support an employee while maintaining workplace safety and compliance.
Our evaluations provide a balanced and impartial understanding of the employee’s functioning, offering recommendations that promote both organizational integrity and personal recovery.
Our Approach: Dignity, Neutrality, and Compassion
At Charison Counseling, we understand that being asked to complete a Fitness for Duty Evaluation can feel intimidating even stigmatizing. That’s why we approach every case with sensitivity, fairness, and confidentiality.
Our evaluations are not punitive. Instead, they’re designed to support understanding, provide clarity, and ensure that the workplace remains both safe and supportive.
Every Fitness for Duty Evaluation at Charison Counseling is guided by these core principles:
- Respect: We treat each person with empathy and professionalism, honoring their privacy and dignity.
- Fairness: Our evaluations are impartial and based on clinical evidence, not assumptions.
- Transparency: We communicate clearly about the process, purpose, and use of findings.
- Care: We see the human being behind the assessment not just the job title.
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Who We Serve
We provide Fitness for Duty Evaluations for individuals and organizations across California, including Newport Beach, Orange County, and beyond.
Common industries and roles include:
- Law Enforcement & First Responders – police officers, firefighters, paramedics
- Healthcare Professionals – nurses, physicians, therapists, medical staff
- Educators – teachers, school administrators, counselors
- Corporate Employees – executives, managers, team leaders
- Government and Public Sector Workers – high-security or safety-sensitive positions
- Transportation Workers – pilots, drivers, and logistics staff
Our evaluations help organizations make informed, ethical decisions and help individuals return to work with confidence and support.
Reasons for a Fitness for Duty Evaluation
A Fitness for Duty Evaluation may be requested when there are:
- Concerns about emotional stability or behavioral changes
- Reports of workplace conflict or interpersonal difficulties
- Return-to-work considerations following a mental health leave or treatment
- Involvement in a critical incident or workplace trauma
- Signs of stress, burnout, or compassion fatigue
- Questions regarding judgment, decision-making, or impulse control
Each evaluation seeks to understand not just whether the individual can safely return to work, but also what supports may help ensure long-term success.
What the Evaluation Involves
Our Fitness for Duty Evaluations are comprehensive, confidential, and tailored to the specific requirements of the referral source (e.g., employer, attorney, or licensing board).
The process typically includes:
1. Referral Review
We begin by reviewing the referral question and relevant documentation, clarifying the purpose of the evaluation and the specific questions to be addressed.
2. Clinical Interview
A private, one-on-one discussion with the employee to explore mental health history, current functioning, coping mechanisms, and any recent stressors or changes in behavior or performance.
3. Standardized Psychological Testing
Evidence-based assessments are used to evaluate mood, anxiety, personality, cognitive functioning, and stress tolerance. These provide objective data to support clinical impressions.
4. Collateral and Record Review
With consent, we may review relevant employment, medical, or mental health records and, when appropriate, speak with supervisors or treating providers to ensure a complete picture.
5. Comprehensive Report
A detailed report outlines findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Reports may include whether the employee is fit for duty, fit with conditions (such as continued treatment or monitoring), or currently unfit for duty always explained in compassionate, clear terms.
6. Feedback and Consultation
We provide feedback to the referral source (e.g., HR department, legal team, or licensing board) and may offer recommendations for next steps, accommodations, or treatment plans to support recovery and reintegration.
How Are You Really Doing?
Get A Free 5-Minute Self-Check Assessment
Balancing Care and Compliance
At Charison Counseling, we understand the sensitive nature of these evaluations. Our role is to balance employee well-being with organizational responsibility.
We ensure compliance with:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- California state laws and ethical guidelines governing confidentiality and evaluation practices
Our reports are written with professional precision while maintaining a tone of compassion and respect for the individual evaluated.
Serving Newport Beach, Orange County, and Throughout California
We provide Fitness for Duty Evaluations both in person at our Newport Beach office and virtually for organizations and professionals across California.
Charison Counseling partners with:
- Public agencies and private employers
- Human resources departments
- Legal professionals and workers’ compensation providers
- Licensing boards and credentialing organizations
We are dedicated to providing timely, thorough, and objective evaluations that meet professional standards and organizational needs while protecting client confidentiality.
What Sets Charison Counseling Apart
- Warm, trauma-informed approach we treat every evaluation as a chance to listen and support, not to judge.
- Clinical expertise in psychological testing and behavioral health.
- Experience with complex, high-stakes evaluations involving safety-sensitive positions.
- Commitment to fairness and transparency in every report and recommendation.
- Trusted by attorneys, organizations, and medical professionals across Orange County and California.
We understand that workplace concerns can be delicate and stressful for everyone involved. Our goal is to create clarity and promote solutions that prioritize both well-being and professional integrity.
Supporting Wellness Beyond the Evaluation
A Fitness for Duty Evaluation is not just about determining readiness it can also be a turning point for growth and healing.
For employees, the evaluation process can provide valuable insight into:
- Burnout and stress management
- Work-life balance
- Emotional resilience and self-care
- Mental health awareness and support options
For employers, it’s an opportunity to build a stronger, healthier, and safer workplace one that values both performance and the person behind the role.
Our Promise
At Charison Counseling, we promise to approach every evaluation with compassion, fairness, and integrity.
We see these assessments as more than formal reports they are opportunities to help people be understood, supported, and treated with dignity.
When you work with us, you can trust that the process will be confidential, objective, and designed with both human care and professional excellence.
Take the Next Step
Whether you are an employer seeking an independent evaluation or an employee needing psychological clearance to return to work, we are here to guide you with compassion and professionalism.
📞 Call 19494243084 or Request an Appointment Online
📍 In-person evaluations in Newport Beach | Virtual assessments throughout California
