About Me

She is experienced in simplifying complex information about capacity and undue influence in depositions and in the courtroom. Her expertise and ability to explain complex concepts in understandable terms helps attorneys focus on the most relevant information in their cases.

She is the author of “The Assessment of Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence in the Older Adult,” Chapter 10 in Forensic Geropsychology: Practice Essentials  (2018 by the American Psychological Association).  In a review of this text (Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, Volume 34, Issue 1, February 2019, Pages 138–140), authors Patrick and Davidoff wrote, “Chapter 10 provides a stand-alone, complete, and useful guide to the assessment of testamentary capacity beginning with first principles, underscoring the difference between capacity and competency. The full range of issues to be considered by the geropsychologist evaluating testamentary capacity are raised and the authors provide a step-by-step approach of both practical and ethical utility.”

Dr. Hoffman has been an active leader in the neuropsychological community. She is the former President of the Northern California Neuropsychology Forum and past chair for Division VIII (Neuropsychology) of the California Psychological Association.

Recent Talks

Dr. Hoffman is also a sought after speaker and has given numerous presentations on topics concerning older adults to a variety of professional and public audiences in Northern California.

A list of recent talks includes:

The Psychology of Undue Influence
(February 2016) Legal Assistance for Seniors MCLE Program

Neuroplasticity and the Changing Brain: How To Keep Your Brain Healthy
(December 2015) The Buck Institute Immersion Program, Sonoma, California
 
Neuroplasticity and the Changing Brain: How To Keep Your Brain Healthy
(September 2015) The Buck Institute Immersion Program, Sonoma, California
 
When It’s Not Alzheimer’s: Different Types of Dementia & Their Effect on Capacity
(April 2015) Professional Fiduciary Association of California, San Francisco California
 
Why You Should Routinely Screen Your Patients for Sleep Apnea
(April 2015) Kaiser Permanente, Department of Medicine, Fremont, California
 
How a Neuropsychological Consultation Can Help You Help Your Patients
(March 2015) Kaiser Permanente, Department of Medicine, Fremont, California

How a Neuropsychological Consultation Can Help You Help Your Patients
(March 2015) Kaiser Permanente, Department of Medicine, Hayward, California
 
Death, Paperwork, & Difficult Conversations
(July 2014) Panel discussion at the Marin County Section on Aging, San Rafael, California
 
Death, Paperwork, & Difficult Conversations
(June 2014) Panel discussion at Whistlestop Marin, San Rafael, California

The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea: Why You Should Be Routinely Screening Your Patients
(May 2014) Kaiser Permanente Department of Psychiatry, Hayward, California
 
When It’s Not Alzheimer’s: Dementia and the Effect on Capacity and Undue Influence
(March 2014) American Society for Aging Conference, San Diego, California
 
Food & Mood: How Your Food Choices Affect the Way You Feel
(2013) Kaiser Permanente webinar for patients and staff, Northern California
 
Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Everything You Need to Know
(July 2013) Kaiser Permanente webinar for patients and staff, Northern California

When It’s Not Alzheimer’s: Dementia & the Effects on Capacity
(May 2012) Legal Assistance for Seniors Annual Conference, Hastings School of the Law, San Francisco, California

The Evaluation of Capacity in Older Adults
(April 2012) Featured workshop at the California Psychological Association Annual Conference, Monterey, California

Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Body, Mind & Spirit
(2012) Presentation to staff, residents, and family members at Wind Chime of Marin, Kentfield, California

Keeping Your Brain Healthy: Body, Mind & Spirit
(2012) Presentation to staff and residents at Villa Marin, San Rafael, California
 
Keep Your Brain Healthy: An Integrated Approach
(January 2012). Marin County Section on Aging, San Rafael, California

Take Control of Your Stress!
(2011) A series of presentations to various employee groups at Kaiser Permanente in Hayward and Fremont
 
Everything You Wanted to Know About TBI But Were Afraid to Ask:
(August 2010). Fiduciary Education Day, Oakland, California
 
Using the MOCA as a Quick Cognitive Screen
(2010). Staff presentation, Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, Union City, California

When It’s Not Alzheimer’s: An Introduction to Other Forms of Dementia:
(2009). Staff presentation, Kaiser Permanente Department of Psychiatry, Union City and Department of Psychiatry, Fremont, California
 
Food & Mood: How the Food You Eat Affects the Way You Feel
(2009). Multiple presentations at NUMMI on behalf of Kaiser Permanente, Fremont, California

Using Brief Measures of Intelligence in Neuropsychological Assessment
(January 2004). Staff presentation. Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, California.

 Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Individual Psychotherapy
(May 2002). Presentation to trainees. Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, Vallejo, California.

Using the Sandtray in Adult and Child Psychotherapy
(April 2001). Presentation to trainees. Kaiser Permanente, Department of Psychiatry, Vallejo, California.