As an expert in trauma, Dr. Samuelson has been retained as an expert witness or forensic evaluator for a diverse range of civil and criminal cases.

With over 25 years experience as a research scientist specializing in trauma psychology, Dr. Samuelson is able to provide scientifically informed, firsthand knowledge of the relevant research as an expert witness.  Equally experienced as a clinician, she has provided psychological assessment and treatment to hundreds of trauma survivors. Finally, as a long-time professor, coupled with her prior testimony experience, she is skilled at describing the science of trauma in a manner that is layperson-friendly and understandable to juries and judges. 

Dr. Samuelson has been retained in court cases throughout the United States. She is currently located in New Orleans, Louisiana and licensed in both Louisiana and Colorado. Most states will allow for her to conduct psychological evaluations in person or remotely; she will determine individual state board rules prior to taking on your case. 

Forensic Specializations

 

  • Civil Cases

    • Forensic psychological and neuropsychological evaluations, expert testimony, and/or case consultation on cases involving trauma, PTSD, and/or TBI

    • Assessment of malingering / symptom validity

    • Extensive research knowledge integrated into expert testimony and reports

    • Consultation – review psychological and neuropsychological records; preparation for depositions of psychologists and psychiatrists

    Criminal cases

    • Mitigation evaluations where trauma history, neuropsychological functioning, traumatic brain injury history are relevant factors

    • Sexual assault cases, providing evaluations and/or expert testimony (often blind) regarding the neurobiology of sexual trauma, trauma and memory, victim response and demeanor

    Immigration cases (including pro bono and low bono)

    • Asylum cases – psychological evaluations documenting trauma history and psychological functioning

    • Domestic violence (VAWA) cases - psychological evaluations documenting abuse history and psychological functioning

    • Expert testimony for cases involving memory concerns, family separation/intergenerational transmission of trauma, forced perpetration of violence as a traumatic stressor

  • • Over 600 psychological evaluations of patients with trauma histories, approximately 100 of those for forensic purposes

    • 40+ peer-reviewed publications and 100+ presentations on psychological trauma and PTSD

    • Research and clinical specialization in neuropsychological functioning of PTSD and mild TBI; expert in effects of trauma on memory

    • Former Professor and Director of a PhD program in trauma psychology (within an accredited PhD program in clinical psychology); trained over 100 aspiring clinical psychologists in psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological assessment

    • Former Director of Assessment for San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center Stress and Health Research Program

    • Over $10 million in research grant funding as a Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or Consultant

    • Qualified as an expert in: PTSD; trauma; child maltreatment; neurobiology of sexual assault

    • Pro bono psychologist for Physicians for Human Rights since 2011; conducted or supervised over 60 asylum evaluations; volunteered at South Texas Family Residential Center providing psychological evaluations for detained families. Extensive knowledge of trauma in Central America, including gang violence and domestic violence; expertise in forced separation of families in the United States

  • Dr. Samuelson has been involved in cases all over the country. She is currently located in New Orleans, Louisiana and licensed in Colorado. Most states will allow for her to conduct psychological evaluations in person or remotely and she holds several temporary licenses in other states. She will determine individual state board rules prior to taking on your case.