Training

Training: Didactic

Didactic work includes a yearlong lecture series that covers all aspects of forensic psychiatry. In addition, fellows will participate in seminars on legal philosophy, landmark cases and psychiatric and forensic ethics. They will also partake in journal club, case reviews and the training of general residents.

The lecture series are conducted by faculty from forensic fellowship programs located in both New York City and New Jersey. These include New York University, Rutgers University, Montefiore/AECOM and Columbia University. Fellows will also attend lectures by private forensic psychiatrists, lawyers and judges. Fellows participate in a mock trial, in addition to testifying in the cases that they have evaluated and prepared formal reports.

There are also monthly preceptorships with senior faculty in private and civil forensic expert work.

Training Experience: Clinical

We train our fellows at numerous different sites, where they will become proficient in all areas of Forensic Psychiatry. These include:

  • Bellevue Hospital Center Division of Forensic Services
  • Bronx Criminal Court Clinic
  • Bronx Psychiatric Center
  • EAC-Bronx Mental Health Court Diversion
  • New York City Health and Hospital Corporation Correctional Health Services (Riker's Island)
  • Sing Sing Correctional Facility
  • Westchester Jewish Community Services

Through these rotations, our fellows gain experience in the following areas:

  • Court-ordered forensic evaluations of adult and child cases
  • Examination and treatment of criminal offenders (including sex offenders)
  • Dangerousness assessments
  • Child Custody
  • Mental Health Court-Based Diversion
  • Immigration
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Evaluation and treatment of insanity acquitees
  • Correctional mental health administration and treatment
  • Civil assessments for involuntary hospitalization, treatment over objection, outpatient commitment, immigration relief, and guardianship

Over the course of their training, fellows will have ample opportunity to give courtroom testimony.

Supervision

All fellows receive at least 90 minutes of formal supervision from the Program Director and/or Associate Fellowship Program Directors on a weekly basis, in addition to weekly supervision by each individual site director at their assigned rotations. We encourage close collaboration and mentorship and offer after-hours supervision and ongoing, informal guidance, as needed.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences