Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatry is a subspecialty that entails the interplay of psychiatry and the law. Forensic Psychiatry is divided into two areas, civil and criminal.
The practice of Forensic Psychiatry involves reviewing all available data, formulating and posing succinct and probative questions in a face-to-face interview setting, employing good listening skills, collateral data collection, integrating the database, concise report writing and sometimes providing live testimony.
Civil Arm Of Forensic Psychiatry
Civil Forensic Psychiatry entails fitness for duty evaluations as well as the assessment for the presence of a variety of psychiatric issues that may arise in the course of civil litigation.
Fitness For Duty
I specialize in the assessment of high functioning individuals, primarily, physicians, attorneys, pilots and other high accountability professionals. Referrals for fitness for duty assessments most often relate to a concern or suspicion that the professional may have a mental health problem rendering them impaired, unable to fully perform their job duties, or resulting in a change from how they normally are. If a diagnosable problem is identified, then a clear, comprehensive treatment plan is formulated.
Referrals for fitness for duty assessments frequently come from licensing boards, disciplinary bodies, attorneys representing the professional, EAP’s as well as the individuals themselves.
Other Forms Of Civil Forensic Psychiatry
Referrals involving the civil component of Forensic Psychiatry often arise out of litigation relating to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Title VII, sexual misconduct, substance abuse and racial discrimination. I also frequently perform disability evaluations, having been retained by counsel for the claimant as well as insurance carriers.
When required, I provide deposition testimony and strive to be effective and plain-speaking on the witness stand. My ability to be an effective testifying witness stems from several factors. I believe it as important to be well-prepared, as it is to be respectful to all parties, including opposing counsel.
Criminal Forensic Psychiatry
The interface of psychiatry and criminal law has a long, storied history. These matters include competency to stand trial, sanity at the time of the alleged offense, ability to understand and waive Miranda and dangerousness assessments.
I have evaluated several thousand defendants facing criminal charges and testified hundreds of times in a variety of tribunals including state and federal court, disciplinary hearings, licensing boards and military courts.