The Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy at the University of Virginia is an interesting program. It takes an interdisciplinary approach that utilizes forensic neuropsychology, forensic psychology, and forensic psychiatry in the area of mental health law. The program does a number of different things, and it does all of those things well. For example, they offer academic programs as well as forensic clinical evaluations, research, public policy consultation, and more.

As a part of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine, the Institute has a deep connection with both the medical sciences as well as the law. They also receive support from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. It is only natural that this Institute has a number of forensic psychologists aboard, as well as other professionals working in similar areas.

What is the Forensic Clinic at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy?

The Forensic Clinic at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy includes forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists that have experience in working with the law when it comes to offering evaluations in criminal and civil cases. The professionals working in this Institute are able to offer help in many different types of evaluations involving criminal cases.

For example, they can offer evaluations on whether or not someone is competent enough to stand trial, or to be able to make their own decisions and waive their rights. This can be important in cases of Miranda issues. In addition, they will be able to determine if the offender was sane at the time of the offence.

Another one of the areas in which they are able to offer evaluations is in cases of sex offenders. They can provide risk assessments which can determine if a sex offender should be let back into the populace. The specialists are able to offer assessments on threats of violence as well. They can work for criminal and juvenile court on a range of different types of crimes including stalking, sexual assault, property crimes, and homicides. The Forensic Clinic at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy is also able to offer assessment for civil trials. The forensic psychologists will be working with emotional injury and trauma in many of these situations.

The evaluations and assessments that the specialists at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy provide don’t always have to be a part of the criminal justice system. They can offer threat and risk assessments to juveniles who are at risk, workplaces and schools, and even fit-for-duty evaluations for workplaces.

Great Opportunities for Forensic Psychologists

Those who are forensic psychologists will find that there are quite a few opportunities within the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy. The Forensic Clinic at the Institute is an ideal place to seek employment and it is quite beneficial to be in a situation where you will be able to learn from the best.

Please visit the following sites for more information about organizations mentioned above:

• The Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy
• Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine
• Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
• Virginia Office of the Attorney General