Highly Experienced Forensic Psychologist

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

I am a California- and Oregon-licensed psychologist specializing in forensic psychological and neuropsychological assessment. I have completed over 200 forensic evaluations (defense, plaintiff, and court appointed) across 11 California counties and in the federal district courts of California and Oregon. As an expert witness, I routinely provide testimony on the brain's fear response, the neuropsychology of PTSD and psychosis, the emotional/behavioral impact of complex trauma, violence and sexual offending risk, and trial competency. Before entering independent practice, I provided English- and Spanish-language clinical services in a variety of correctional and forensic settings (e.g., jails, prisons, state hospitals), where I gained extensive experience in the evaluation of correctional suicide risk; violence risk; trial competency; malingering; and the complex interaction of co-occurring mental disorders (e.g., traumatic brain injury, psychosis, PTSD, substance use). I am currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, where I teach doctoral-level courses in neuropsychological assessment, psychopathology and diagnosis, forensic psychology, biological bases of behavior, and ethics. I have guest lectured for the neuropsychology training program at UCSF/Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and I have presented to nonprofit organizations on topics such as the mental health impact of COVID-19. I am also an expert reviewer for the California Board of Psychology's Enforcement Program, where I assist the California Attorney General's Office and the Board by reviewing case materials, preparing written opinions, and testifying on psychologist and neuropsychologist standard of care issues.