Mental Health Expert Witnesses in California

The SEAK Expert Witness Directory contains a comprehensive list of mental health expert witnesses who testify, consult and provide litigation support on mental health and related issues. Mental health expert witnesses and consultants on this page may form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, and provide expert witness testimony at deposition and trial. The issues and subjects these mental health expert witnesses testify regarding may include: Mental Health, Trauma, PTSD, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Emotional Distress, Depression, Domestic Violence, Addiction, Anxiety, Personal Injury, Psychology, Sexual Assault, Suicide, and Suicide Prevention.

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Leslie Dobson, BS, MS, MA, PsyD

Forensic Psychologist, monetary damage assessment

Dr. Leslie Dobson

Forensic Psychology, Psychology - Damage assessment, mental health, trauma, therapy, prognosis, diagnosis, evaluation, personality cognitive testing, first responders, sexual abuse, sexual offenders, severe mental illness, psychosis, schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal, homicidal, self-harm
The primary focus of my practice is to evaluate individuals who are struggling with negative emotions or cognitions after a traumatic incident (i.e., sexual assault, car accident, physician abuse, neglect). If appropriate, I will complete a report to include diagnosis, prognosis, and a monetary damage amount for future mental health care. I require a retainer prior to beginning documentation review, evaluation, report writing, deposition or trial. Prior Experience: Criminal: Expert Testimony Consultation with attorneys: Over 65 cases from Department of State Hospitals Violence Risk Assessments: Over 1000 Short Term Risk Assessments, <50 Long Term Violence Risk Assessments, > 20 Sexual Violence Risk Assessments Main Disorders Assessed and/or Treated: Schizophrenia, Psychopathy, Bipolar, Depression, OCD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder Familiarity with Penal Codes: Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity, Incompetent to Stand Trial, Mentally Ill Inmate...
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Ashley Tapia, LCSW

Child & Family Trauma Mental Health Expert

Tapia Blooming Therapy

San Diego, California
Mental Health, Child Abuse - Children's Mental Health, Bullying, Child Depression/ Anxiety, Foster Care, CPS Investigations, Child Protective Services, Childhood Trauma, Family Violence, Family Based Treatment, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Pediatric Mental Health, Reunification, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Early Childhood Development
Ashley Tapia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California and Texas specializing in child and family mental health. Ms. Tapia earned her Master of Social Work in 2019 from California State University, Long Beach. She has four years of experience working as a Protective Services Worker with Child Welfare Services in both Orange County and San Diego County. In this role, she conducted child abuse and neglect investigations, assessed child safety and risk, and worked closely with families involved in the dependency court system. She also provided reunification services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support family stability and promote safe parent–child relationships. Since 2022, Ms. Tapia has provided psychotherapy services in children’s mental health in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving as a clinician and program manager. In these roles, she has delivered intensive individual, group, and family psychotherapy to children and adolescents betw...
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Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW

Workplace Trauma Expert, Researcher, & Therapist

Workplace Trauma Recovery, LLC

Santa Clara, California
Employment, Mental Health - Workplace Trauma, Racial Trauma, LGBT Discrimination, Racial Discrimination, Racelighting, Gaslighting, Institutional Betrayal, Workplace Bullying, Mobbing, Whistleblower Retaliation, Sexual Trauma, Scapegoat Abuse, Psychological Safety, Trauma-Informed Workplaces, Sexism, Ageism, Ableism, Neurodiversity, Intersectionality, Bias
Workplace Trauma Expert Witness, Researcher, and Therapist who uses neuroscience, traumatology, and biology of trauma (Apigian, 2025) to document physical, psychological, social, and financial impacts of workplace bias and abuse related to race, gender, LGBT identity, disability, age, pregnancy and lactation, immigration, and neurodiversity. Dr. Ramirez uses standardized measures to assess and document symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and trauma including the Racebased Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale Short Form (RBTSSS- SF; Carter & Pieterse, 2020); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5); Global Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD7) Rating Scale (Spitzer, et al., 2006); and Beck Depression Inventory (Weathers at al., 2013). Dr. Ramirez's expert reports are especially known for her critical review of medical records and visual representation of biological markers associated with chronic stress hormone flooding common to workplace psychosocial hazard exposure. D...
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Bahar S. Yaghoubian

Trauma & Mental Health Expert Witness | LCSW

Woodland hills, California
Social Work, Mental Health - Emotional Distress, Civil litigation, Workplace trauma, sexual trauma, Older adult, Trauma expert, PTSD Damages, Psychological harm, Trauma stress evaluation, Immigration Evaluation, Hardship Evaluation, Somatic Therapy, Reproductive trauma, Perinatal mental health, Multicultural competency, Damages, Causation, personal injury
Attorneys retaining Bahar (Summer) Yaghoubian, LCSW, gain a clinical social worker with over 18 years of post-license clinical experience, multidisciplinary team background in adult mental health, and specialized training in expert witness practice and psychological evaluation for legal proceedings. She is available for in-person engagements in California and for testimony nationwide. Bahar Yaghoubian, LCSW (California BBS #27960), earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2008. She is available as an expert witness in cases involving mental health professional standard of care, psychological injury, trauma-related claims, and related issues in adult populations. She has practiced clinically since 2006, beginning with MSW internships at the Multipurpose Senior Services Program and the USC Center for Work & Family Life. From 2008 to 2012 she served older adults, first at Forever Young Adult Day Health Care and then as a Clinical Social Worker wi...
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Ani Behrouzi, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatry-Specialized in PTSD & Trauma

Ani Behrouzi Psychiatric Nursing Corp

Folsom, California
Psychiatry, Mental Health - PTSD, Psychiatry Standard of Care, Workplace Psychological Injury, Emotional Distress, Failure to Diagnose Psychiatric Conditions, Psychological Damages, Medication Mismanagement / Psychopharmacology, Personal Injury Psychiatric Injury, Fitness for Duty Evaluations, Stress Claims, Trauma and Stress Related Disorders
Ani Behrouzi, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of Trauma Recovery Psychiatry Center. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of PTSD, trauma-related disorders, anxiety, depression, and complex psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Ms. Behrouzi has extensive clinical experience across emergency, inpatient, crisis stabilization, and outpatient psychiatric settings, working with high-acuity patients, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Her background provides a strong foundation for assessing psychiatric symptoms, functional impairment, and the real-world impact of trauma. Her clinical practice focuses on comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and psychopharmacology, with particular strength in identifying trauma-related pathology and assessing causation. She is experienced in reviewing medical records, conducting detailed psychiatric assessments, and ...
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Sarah Burney, LCSW, CEDS-S

Eating Disorder, PTSD, & Standard of Care Expert

Burney Therapy Group

Newport Beach, California
Mental Health, Substance Abuse - eating disorder, trauma, PTSD, anorexia, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, substance abuse, substance use, overdose, treatment, social work, cognitive behavioral therapy, family based treatment, addiction, anxiety, depression, suicide, EMDR, psychology
Sarah Burney, LCSW, CEDS-S, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist & Supervisor with over a decade of clinical and leadership experience. She provides expert witness services in cases involving eating disorders, psychiatric standard of care, trauma, and complex mental health conditions. Her areas of expertise include: Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID) Psychiatric standard of care and negligence Acute and complex trauma (including PTSD) Substance use disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Depressive and anxiety disorders Level of care determinations (inpatient, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient) Risk assessment and clinical decision-making Ms. Burney has extensive experience treating patients across the full continuum of care, including inpatient and outpatient treatment settings for eating disorders, mental health, and substance use disorders. She previously served as a Director at one of ...
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Matthew Madaus, LCSW

Expert in the Behavioral Health Standard of Care

Madaus Consulting LLC

Vallejo, California
Mental Health, Social Work - Children's Mental Health, Child Welfare, Standard of Care, Residential Treatment, Group Home, Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Inpatient Treatment, Substance Use Treatment, Social Work, Residential Care, Addiction Treatment, Children's Behavioral Health, Children's Therapy, Pediatric Mental Health, Trauma Treatment
Matthew Madaus, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of leadership experience in the behavioral health field. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Collaborative of Alameda County, an association of nonprofit mental health and substance use treatment providers. Member agencies deliver services to more than 175,000 children, youth, and adults annually, including mental health care, substance use treatment, foster care, education, and housing. Mr. Madaus advises agency executives and senior staff on upholding the standard of care across their service systems. Mr. Madaus was the CEO of Edgewood Center for Children and Families in San Francisco, overseeing all residential treatment and community-based programs. He was the Clinical Director of The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, where he provided leadership to numerous residential and community-based programs. He has held positions as Executive Director, Chief Operating Office...
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Henry Cervantez, MS

Retired Prison Litigation Official-Expert Witness

HC Corrections Consultants

Pismo Beach, California
Law Enf & Criminal Justice, Jails & Prisons - Correctional Operations, Inmate Classification, Expert testimony, ADA, Jail & Prison, Custody & Security Procedures, Inmate Supervision, Policy & Procedures, Use of Force, Suicide prevention, Prison staff training, Disciplinary systems, Correctional Staff Practices, Conditions of confinement, Mental Health, Failure to protect
I possess over 30 years of professional experience working within the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) in both men's & women's correctional institutions. During my career, I worked in five different prisons representing a full spectrum of custody levels, ranging from minimum to maximum security institutions. This experience provided extensive knowledge of institutional operations, inmate management, security procedures, and correctional policy implementation across diverse correctional environments. More than 20 years of my career were dedicated to the inmate classification system, where I served as both a Correctional Counselor I and later as a Correctional Counselor II Supervisor. In these roles, I was responsible for evaluating inmate case factors, determining classification scores, assessing custody levels, reviewing disciplinary history, and recommending housing assignments and program placements. My work required the interpretation and applicatio...
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Leslie Dobson, BS, MS, MA, PsyD

Forensic Psychologist, monetary damage assessment

Dr. Leslie Dobson

Huntington Beach, California
Forensic Psychology, Psychology - Damage assessment, mental health, trauma, therapy, prognosis, diagnosis, evaluation, personality cognitive testing, first responders, sexual abuse, sexual offenders, severe mental illness, psychosis, schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal, homicidal, self-harm
The primary focus of my practice is to evaluate individuals who are struggling with negative emotions or cognitions after a traumatic incident (i.e., sexual assault, car accident, physician abuse, neglect). If appropriate, I will complete a report to include diagnosis, prognosis, and a monetary damage amount for future mental health care. I require a retainer prior to beginning documentation review, evaluation, report writing, deposition or trial. Prior Experience: Criminal: Expert Testimony Consultation with attorneys: Over 65 cases from Department of State Hospitals Violence Risk Assessments: Over 1000 Short Term Risk Assessments, <50 Long Term Violence Risk Assessments, > 20 Sexual Violence Risk Assessments Main Disorders Assessed and/or Treated: Schizophrenia, Psychopathy, Bipolar, Depression, OCD, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder Familiarity with Penal Codes: Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity, Incompetent to Stand Trial, Mentally Ill Inmate...
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Pamela J Hall, PhD

Post Traumatic Stress, Psychological Injury

Forensic MED Experts

Fontana, California
Forensic Psychology, Mental Health - PTSD, Forensic Psychology, Trauma, Sexual Assault, Discrimination, Warzone, Harassment, Standard of Care, Product Liability, Co-Occurring disorders, Defense Base Act
Dr. Pamela Hall is a licensed psychologist in the State of California with 40 years of clinical expertise and 15 years of forensic expertise regarding the impact of psychological injury on social and occupational functioning. Because consultees and examinees deserve to return to their highest abilities after a psychological injury, a restorative justice narrative infuses her forensic work. As a psychotherapist, Dr. Hall became trauma-informed from 1981 to 2013 through listening to people with lived experience and following trauma-related research. Dr. Hall has been committed to consultation in the workplace as a requested speaker and employee assistance provider to improve occupational mental health. While operating her own private practice from 1997-2013, Dr. Hall collaborated with community providers and law enforcement in family violence cases, conducting a diversion education program for convicted offenders. Dr. Hall was a member of the Domestic Violence Intervention Consorti...
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John Hamel, Ph.D., LCSW

John Hamel & Associates

San Rafael, California
Forensic Psychology, Mental Health - domestic violence, intimate partner violence, IPV, intimate partner abuse, battered woman syndrome, false arrest, battered woman defense, battered person syndrome, battered person defense, family violence, family abuse, psychological abuse, batterer intervention
John Hamel, Ph.D., LCSW, has a Masters in Social Welfare from U.C.L.A., and a Ph.D. from the University of Central Lancashire, U.K., where he is currently a Research Fellow. He has worked with family violence perpetrators and victims since 1992, and is a court-approved provider of batterer intervention programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Hamel is the author of Gender-Inclusive Treatment of Intimate Partner Abuse, 2nd Edition: Evidence-Based Approaches, (Springer, 2014), and other books on domestic violence. He also has had dozens of his research articles published in various peer-reviewed scholarly journals, and is Editor-in-Chief of Partner Abuse, a journal published quarterly by Springer Publishing. A frequent speaker at conferences on domestic violence, he has also trained mental health professionals, attorneys, victim advocates social service organizations, law enforcement, attorneys and family court mediators. He is a founding member of the Association of Domesti...
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Mindy B Mechanic, Ph.D.

Forensic Psychological Consulting Inc

Long Beach, California
Forensic Psychology, Psychology - Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Stalking, abuse, infanticide, homicide, child sexual abuse disclosures,w orkplace violence, risk assessment, IME, personal injury, trauma, PTSD, worker's compensation, employment discrimination, violence, mental health, forensic evaluation, psychological assessment
I have worked in academia as a professor for almost 30 years. In that capacity, I engaged in research, teaching, mentoring/supervision, and clinical work, focusing on the psychological consequences of trauma, violence and victimization. During graduate school and internship, i received specialized training in forensic psychology. I have been practicing forensic psychology independently since receiving my first license to practice in 1998. In addition to my academic appointment, I also work regularly as an expert witness, legal consultant, and forensic psychologist in civil, family and criminal (civilian and military) cases. I have numerous peer reviewed publications and presentations and federally funded research grants. I have conducted many professional trainings for attorneys, other legal/court professionals, mental health professional, and medical professionals.
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Patrick Ngo, MSW, LCSW

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Social Worker

Patrick Ngo Psychotherapy Inc.

Santa Clara, California
Mental Health, Social Work - Social Work, Triage, Lanterman Petris Short LPS, Involuntary Committment, Suicide, Crisis Intervention, Risk Assessment, Behavioral Health, Patient Rights, Standard of Care, Severe Mental Illness (SMI), Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anosognosia, Emergency Care, Joint Commission (JHACO), HEDIS, CMS, EMTALA
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience working in outpatient and acute inpatient psychiatric settings. I have treated a broad spectrum of complex psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and co‑occurring substance‑use disorders. I have over a decade of experience working in acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals serving patients experiencing mental health crises. Many patients I worked with were admitted to the hospital on 72 hour involuntary psychiatric holds (5150). There, I provided direct care, safety planning, complex discharge coordination, and testified at involuntary (5250, 5260, 5270) certification hearings. I regularly represented the hospital at these hearings, testifying on the clinical criteria for Danger to Self (DTS), Danger to Others (DTO), and Grave Disability (GD). Furthermore, I have collaborated closely with numerous Cou...
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David Andreone

Where Psychology & the Entertainment Industry Meet

Culver City, California
Music & Entertainment, Psychology - psychotherapy, music, film, entertainment, creative, technology, minor, therapy, depression, anxiety, artist, record label, music publishing, artist management, royalty, intellectual property, psychotherapist, addiction, trauma, mental health
David Andreone is a psychotherapist and entertainment industry executive whose career bridges the worlds of creativity and mental health. With a rare combination of clinical training and decades of frontline experience in the entertainment industry, he brings a uniquely integrated perspective to understanding and supporting the people behind creative work. Andreone is the founder of ArtistServices Therapy, a mental health practice dedicated to artists, creatives, and creative executives. His work as a psychotherapist is grounded in evidence-based clinical methods and a deep familiarity with the realities of life in the entertainment business. Having spent years working alongside artists and executives, he understands the pressures that define creative careers—unpredictable income, public scrutiny, identity challenges, and the constant demand for output in a highly competitive environment. At ArtistServices Therapy, Andreone works with artists, writers, directors, producers, actors...
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Georgine Nanos, MD, MPH

Experienced Family Medicine Expert

Encinitas, California
Family Medicine, Mental Health - Women's Health, Depression, Back Pain, Failure to Diagnose, Failure to Refer, Cancer Screening, Cancer Detection, Heart attack, Stroke, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Supervision of Physician Assistants, Trauma, Pneumonia, Wound Care, Diabetes, Hypertension, Covid-19 Expert, Telemedicine Expert, Med Spa
Dr. Georgine Nanos is a board-certified Family Physician and medical director with more than twenty-two years of clinical practice across primary care, women’s health, hormone therapy, obesity medicine, mental-health care, TMS and neuromodulation, and aesthetic medicine. She has managed thousands of patients across all age groups and brings deep expertise in diagnostic decision-making, cancer and cardiovascular screening, GLP-1 and hormone therapy safety, aesthetic-procedure standards, and complex medication management. She is known for producing clear, well-supported, and highly defensible expert reports, along with confident and credible deposition and trial testimony. Her ability to translate complex medical issues into clear, understandable explanations makes her an effective expert for both plaintiff and defense counsel. Dr. Nanos maintains prompt communication, a reasonable fee schedule, and a professional, organized approach to every case. PRIMARY CARE AND DIAGNOSTIC ERROR ...
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Barbara J. Justice, MD

Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist

Equity Evals

Long Beach, California
Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatry - Psychiatric Disease, Pharmacological Clinical, Competency to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Serve Mental Illness, Psychiatric Disability, Emotional Harm, Emotional Distress, Workers' Compensation, Mental Health, Malpractice, Capacity, Sexual Harassment Sexual Abuse and Victimization
Dr. Justice began her career in medicine as a surgeon in New York City. After 20 years as a practicing surgeon, she entered the field of Psychiatry and received training in a Fellowship program at UCLA. She is a Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist with training in all aspects of psychiatry and the law. Dr. Justice has broad experience testifying in criminal and civil cases and has been deposed extensively upwards of 400 times. She has also testified frequently as mental health expert witness for the state of California. Her unique background in physical medicine, trauma, psychopharmacology and surgery, combined with her psychiatric expertise, gives her an in-depth understanding of the multitude of factors at issue in civil litigation cases. Dr. Justice is currently Attending Forensic Psychiatrist, Director of Psychiatric Training at the Department of State Hospital in Norwalk California and CEO and Medical Director of the Glaser Forensic Group. Dr. Justice received her MD and co...
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Nicole E McCarthy, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C

Experienced Therapist & Mental Health Expert.

Woodland Hills, California
Social Work, Mental Health - Mental Health, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Forensic Social Work, Adult Depression/Anxiety, Case Management, Standard of Care, Discharge Planning, Postpartum Depression, PTSD, Perinatal Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Work Place Sexual Harassment, Suicide Prevention, Institutional Abuse
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) expert in mental health, psychiatric issues and women's health. I have a masters degree in social work from the University of Southern California and licensed in the state of California with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. I have experience and expertise with residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, domestic violence shelters and outpatient mental health clinics. I was a leader for the Intensive Outpatient Program in an outpatient clinic. Supervised other therapist’s and coordinated treatment teams for patient care. I have collaborated with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, OBGYN's, medical social workers, RN's and nursing teams. I addition, I am a member of Postpartum Support International and helped create the positive motherhood transition program specializing and treating moms who struggle with postpartum depression/ anxiety. I have expertise with pregnancy loss, infertility and perinatal issues. I am also a member ...
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Jennifer Harrison, PsyD, ABPP ATR-BC

Board Certified Psychologist Trauma Specialist

Therapy Partners of the Peninsula

Burlingame, California
Psychology, Mental Health - Trauma, Child Abuse, Psychopathology, Psychological Testing, Competency, Family Dynamics, Attachment, Child Developement, Human Development, Mental Health Issues, IME, Sexual Abuse
Dr. Harrison's clinical work sits at the intersection of trauma, family systems, and the law. She provides specialized therapy and psychological assessment to individuals, children, and families navigating the most high-stakes moments of their lives -- including those involved in family court proceedings, custody disputes, and complex trauma histories. Her integrative approach draws on EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Neurofeedback, and Art Therapy, tailoring each treatment plan to the individual's developmental and psychological needs. As Training Director at San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital and Villa Fairmont Mental Health Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Harrison oversees psychological assessment and clinical supervision for doctoral practicum students working with adolescents and adults with serious psychiatric conditions and dual diagnoses. She also serves as Adjunct Professor at New York University and is an active contributor to NAMI San Mateo and the Blue ...
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Frederick J Skilton, M.D.

Emergency Medicine

San Diego, California
Emergency Medicine, Urgent Care Medicine - Stroke and TIA, Myocardial Infarction and Heart Attack, Aortic Dissection, Sepsis, Airway Management, Appendicitis, Trauma, COPD and Asthma, Fractures, Mental Health, Addiction, Socioeconomic, Abdominal Pain, Headache, Subarachnoid Hemorrage, Brain Bleed, Blood Clots, Injury, Pain and Suffering, Failure to Diagnose
I am a board certified Emergency Medicine physician with extensive experience in many different areas of clinical practice, from Level 1 Tertiary Academic Emergency Departments to small community hospitals. Through mentoring, SEAK training, experience, and research I have developed a strong understanding to the intricacies of the medical-legal system, and the long-term commitment and persistence required to be an effective medical expert. I began my medical career in 2014 as a US Navy Physician, serving as Flight Surgeon and medical department head with a Marine Corps squadron. During deployment overseas, with over 2500 Navy and Marine personnel, I served as sole Flight Surgeon, ensuring our Marine and Navy pilots maintained flight and combat readiness. Working in mainly medically austere environments, my duties included care for acute and emergent conditions, mass casualty operations, coordinating MedEvac transport, and medical support for real-world combat missions, for which I ...
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Jeffrey R. Goodyear, LCSW

Mental Health, Behavioral Health and Substance Use

Scotts Valley, California
Mental Health, Substance Abuse - Forensics, Homelessness, Chronic Mental Illness, Crisis Intervention, Dual Diagnosis, Substance Use Disorder, Psychosocial Assessments, LPS holds, Conservatorship, Coordinated Care, Jail Mental Health, Social Work, Treatment Planning, Multidisciplinary Teams, Hospital, Psychiatric Inpatient, Behavioral and Social Sciences
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Forensic & Community Mental Health Specialist I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience in behavioral health, homelessness, substance use, and forensic mental health, including 9 years of post-MSW clinical practice. My professional background spans high-acuity settings such as correctional facilities, psychiatric units, and community-based programs, where I’ve provided direct clinical services, crisis intervention, and care coordination for some of the most vulnerable populations. As a former Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Santa Cruz County Mental Health, I trained county agencies and community-based partners in identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This role highlights my dedication to community education and building mental health literacy across systems of care. My expertise includes: Crisis intervention and de-escalation Psychiatric risk ass...
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Kim M Pimentel, RN, BSN, MICN

Nurse Expert Witness in Emergency Medicine

Nurse 911 Corp

Los Angeles, California
Emergency Medicine, Nurse - prehospital care, behavioral health, 5150, suicide prevention, crisis prevention, stroke fallouts, falls, ER Nurse UCLA, sepsis, ER overcrowding, triage errors, mental health, restraints, behavioral detainment, Safety injury prevention, misdiagnosis, triage in crisis, breach in standard of care, duty of care, psychosocial
As a current charge nurse, clinical nurse, triage nurse, and Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) at a Level I Trauma Center, I bring over 23 years of emergency nursing experience, with advanced expertise in triage precision, stroke activation, psychiatric crisis management, and maintaining safety during emergency department overcrowding. I provide comprehensive care coordination from EMS field communication to hospital-based critical decision-making. I am a recognized expert in the triage process, with advanced proficiency in applying the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) to determine clinical urgency and anticipate resource needs. I have extensive experience identifying and preventing triage errors, particularly in high-volume settings where subtle but life-threatening presentations—such as early stroke, sepsis, or myocardial infarction—may be overlooked. I provide expert insight into common pitfalls in triage, including under-triaging of time-sensitive conditions, failure to recogniz...
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Natalie Jones, PsyD, LPCC

Psychology Expert

Lifetime Counseling and Consulting

Fair Oaks, California
Psychology, Forensic Psychology - Domestic violence, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, correctional mental health, wrongful death, PTSD, sex abuse, sex offender, emotional distress , retaliation, stalking, mental health, counseling, mental health, victimization, trauma, therapist, sexual assault, discrimination, psychological testing
Private practice since 2014. Experience in evaluations and testimony for adults. 12 years of experience as a counselor, trainer, interviewer, report writer working with victims of abuse, sexual assault, and with perpetrators of violence, and Dept of Corrections. Licensed as licensed professional clinical counselor in California since 2014. Doctorate in clinical psychology in 2016. Became certified as a National Domestic Violence Counselor in 2010. 1) Domestic violence / coercive control /emotional abuse 2) Psych evaluations 3) Mental health assessment 4) Sexual abuse / sexual assault evaluations 5) PTSD / emotional distress 6) Discrimination *CV available upon request
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Stephanie Chassman

TBI Social Consequences Expert – Ph.D., LCSW

Santa Monica, California
Social Work, Behavioral and Social Sciences - Social Work, Mental Health, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Social Consequences of TBI, Psychosocial Damages, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation, Employment & ADA, Criminal Defense, Standard of Care, Behavioral Health, Homelessness, Substance Use, Emotional Distress, Causation, Damages
Dr. Stephanie Chassman is a Ph.D.-level Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and one of the few expert witnesses whose published research specifically focuses on the social consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury — including its effects on employment, housing stability, intimate relationships, social identity, and community functioning. With over 12 years of clinical and research experience and a three-manuscript doctoral dissertation on TBI and homelessness, Dr. Chassman bridges the gap that neurologists and neuropsychologists cannot fill: she explains not just what happened to a person's brain, but what happened to their life. Her peer-reviewed publications document how TBI disrupts social integration, substance use patterns, housing, and access to resources — exactly the downstream harms that drive damages in personal injury, workers' compensation, criminal defense, and employment matters. Dr. Chassman holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Denver and an MSW from ...
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Elizabeth Ferguson, MD

Harvard Trained Nationally Recognized Psychiatrist

Hogan and Associates Licensed in AL, CA, GA, CO, FL

California
Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry - hospital, malpractice, will contest, corrections, psychiatry, psychology, suicide, mental health, behavioral health, CMO, administrative, correctional psychiatry, litigation, JCAHO, law enforcement, telepsychiatry, business development, forensic psychiatry, fitness for duty, police
Dr. Ferguson, a board-certified Harvard trained forensic psychiatrist, is a respected active leader and experienced expert in the field of mental health litigation consultation. She is recognized by her peers for her administrative expertise in behavioral health organizations and has held many senior positions in national professional organizations for two decades. She has led or served on numerous community and national committees at the interface of law and psychiatry. At the earliest stage possible in her career, she was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. As a forensic psychiatrist, chief medical officer, director of telepsychiatry behavioral health business development, and forensic psychiatry fellowship director she has a record of proven leadership in the clinical, educational, research, and public policy forums of psychiatric and telepsychiatric services. She greatly enjoys teaching psychiatrists how to testify and was the foundin...
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Andrew Levine, PhD, ABPP

Board-Certified Neuropsychologist

North Coast Neuropsychology

Arcata, California
Neuropsychology, Mental Health - Long-COVID, Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, Workers Compensation, Neurocognitive, Cognitive, Psychology, Head Injury, Neuroinfectious disease, Dementia
-Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology with American Board of Professional Psychology -State of California Qualified Medical Examiner (Workers Compensation) -Aerospace Neuropsychology -Retired Professor - UCLA Department of Neurology
You can also find Mental Health Expert Witnesses in:
Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington