My time is split between the Erie County Forensic Mental Health Service (ECFMH) and the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). At ECFMH I conduct Article 730 competency evaluations for the courts, along with other requested evaluations from the criminal justice system. I complete clinical rounds on the Constant Observation units (suicide watch) at the Erie County Holding Center (ECHC). At ECHC I oversee a Residential Treatment Unit for inmates who have a serious mental illness and may benefit from a higher level of care. Working within a treatment team consisting of mental health staff, a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, a psychologist, and students, staff provide weekly individual counseling, weekly groups, and comprehensive psychiatric care. We conduct psychological assessment with inmates and track clinical outcomes over time. Further, we conduct research from this information on an ongoing basis. I also help to supervise graduate and undergraduate level students.

At ECMC I am the Unit Chief of a new, specialized psychiatric inpatient unit--Transitions--for individuals at imminent risk for aggression or recently became aggressive primary to a mental illness. A interdisciplinary team of licensed mental health counselors, nursing, a clinical manager, a psychiatrist, an occupational therapist, and a psychologist work to stabilize patients and prevent incidents of aggression. I provide oversight of clinical programming (individual and group psychotherapy) and assessment activities. In the future we will provide all patients with assessment and track outcomes over time. This unit will also be a training unit for students and will conduct research.

My other clinical and evaluation interests include sex offender treatment and risk assessment, work with individuals who have serious mental illness, particularly Schizophrenia, and mood disorders. When I primarily conducted psychotherapy in the past I specialized in working with individuals who had depression and anxiety disorders. I have also specialized in working with domestic violence, both victims and offenders throughout my career.

My research interests are varied, but include aggression, violence, well-being, positive psychology topics, countertransference management, sex offender work, therapist effects, and mood disorders.

Children and Adults, Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatry

Physician Gender:

Male