University of Virginia Health System

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology

The fellowship in forensic psychology provides a broad variety of experience and training primarily in the area of assessment.  Time is divided approximately equally between two sites.  The Western State Hospital (WSH) forensic unit  provides opportunities for inpatient forensic assessments such as competency to stand trial, mental status at the time of the alleged offense, and evaluations to inform the court about treatment needs.  The fellow works within a multidisciplinary treatment team model.  The University of Virginia's Institute for Law, Psychiatry, & Public Policy (ILPPP) provides a unique opportunity for both education and practical clinical training.  The ILPPP provides formal training programs (in ,  a variety of areas pertinent to conducting forensic assessment, including pertinent law; basic knowledge and skills necessary for conducting forensic evaluations; civil commitment; competency to stand trial, mental status at the time of the alleged offense, juvenile competency to stand trial, sex offender evaluations, risk assessment, capital sentencing, and others (see ILPPP website for additional details).  As part of the ILPPP clinic, the forensic fellow conducts intensive evaluations on various criminal forensic issues (e.g., competence, sanity, risk assessment, ,capital sentencing, and other less common evaluations).  Fellows typically have some opportunity to assist in civil forensic evaluations as well.  Fellows may attend law school classes that are pertinent to the forensic mental health area.

Overall, fellows who train at both WSH and ILPPP are exposed to a variety of referral questions, criminal defendants, and approaches to forensic evaluation. Occasionally, fellows are called upon to assist with training of other mental health professionals.  Fellows may participate in research projects with ILPPP faculty, or initiate their own.  Drs. David Rawls and Daniel Murrie direct the fellowship. 

Clinical Focus (80%)

1. Inpatient treatment and forensic assessment of patients hospitalized on the Forensic Service of WSH
2. Clinical consultation at WSH with reference to forensic issues (e.g., assessment of risk, management of risk factors, development of community management plans for insanity acquittees)
3. Outpatient forensic assessment through UVA's ILPPP
4. Court testimony

Educational & Professional Development (10%)

1. Participate in UVA-ILPPP seminars and case conferences
2. Basic "Forensic Evaluation Training"
3. Risk Assessment Training
4. Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment
5. Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial
6. Mental Health Law Classes
7. Meetings with the Program Director and postdoctoral fellows across sub-specialty areas during the academic year to discuss administrative issues and professional development.

Research Focus (10%)

1. Develop original research in an area of Forensic Psychology in which the fellow has a particular interest or
2. Participate in an ongoing research project through either WSH or UVA

Core Faculty

• David Rawls, Ph.D. (WSH)
• Daniel Murrie, Ph.D. (ILPPP)

Current Fellow

• Grace Chang, Ph.D.

Other Available Fellowships:

• Behavioral Health & Technology
• Behavioral Medicine
• Behavioral Psychology
• CARE 
• Neuropsychology
• Rehabilitation Neuropsychology

Faculty and Fellows
Psychology Residencies Home Page and Application Instructions