About

Dr. Michelle L. Vorwerk

Michelle L. Vorwerk, PsyD ABPP is a forensic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in evaluating and diagnosing mental disorders. Dr. Vorwerk is one of a select few psychologists who have undergone the rigorous training and examination process necessary to obtain Board Certification in Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). This credential signifies the highest levels of expertise and practice in the area of forensic psychology.

Dr. Vorwerk’s areas of expertise include:

criminal responsibility & insanity
sex offender risk assessments
severe mental illness
psychosexual assessments
mental health diversion
civil & criminal competencies
mitigation

In addition to forensic evaluations, Dr. Vorwerk also provides attorney consultation services (e.g., case analysis of mental health issues, cross-examination preparation, etc.).

Dr. Vorwerk earned her B.A. in psychology at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2000 and received her M.A. and Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Biola University in 2005.

Dr. Vorwerk completed her APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship and her post-doctoral hours at the Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan, a state psychiatric forensic hospital. Subsequently, she was the Clinical Director and therapist at an outpatient treatment program for felony probation sex offenders. Currently, Dr. Vorwerk works in private practice as a forensic psychologist conducting various criminal and civil evaluations as well as providing expert witness testimony. She has been qualified as an expert witness for both the defense and prosecution in numerous jurisdictions in California. Dr. Vorwerk has published research articles in various journals, including Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Credentials

Board Certification: American Board of Professional Psychology, Forensic Psychology

Licenses: California Licensed Psychologist

Pre-doctoral Internship: California Department of State Hospitals – Metropolitan (APA accredited)

Graduate: Biola University, Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, M.A. Clinical Psychology (APA accredited)

Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A. Psychology

See Full CV HERE

Dr. Jessica L. Roos

Jessica Roos, PsyD is a licensed psychologist specializing in forensic evaluations. Dr. Roos has been working with Vorwerk Forensic Psychology, Inc. since 2019 where she currently conducts evaluations to assess cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and personality functioning, along with assessment of other factors related to the forensic evaluation and prepare an extensive report on the findings. Moreover, she provides expert testimony concerning the psychological state of individuals. Her expertise is evident in her ability to form comprehensive, objective, unbiased opinions and to communicate and articulate those opinions in clear and understandable terms.

Dr. Roos completed her doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Roos earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina.Dr. Roos has been trained at various clinical sites, including working with adults and children in community mental health settings and correctional/forensic settings. She has been trained in various risk, cognitive, and personality assessments.

Dr. Roos completed her pre-doctoral internship with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at the California Institution for Men (CIM). During her internship training, she provided inpatient treatment to severely mentally ill incarcerated individuals. She also completed intake evaluations at the Administrative Segregation Unit and provided individual therapy. She co-facilitated a transgender group and a sex-offender treatment group. In addition, during her predoctoral internship she assessed and completed PC 3002 evaluations and presented on Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity evaluations to staff at the institution.

Following her predoctoral internship, Dr. Roos completed her post-doctoral hours with CDCR at Richard J. Donovan (RJD) prison where she continues to work part-time as a licensed clinical psychologist. At RJD Dr. Roos serves a supervising psychologist where she supervises a team of clinicians. She also provides crisis management, suicide-risk assessment, and individual therapy to severely mentally ill incarcerated individuals within the Administrative Segregation Unit.

Dr. Roos demonstrates a passion for both evaluating and treating individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Her areas of forensic interests include mental health diversion, criminal responsibility, youthful offenders, psychosexual assessments, and risk assessment. Dr. Roos is a member of the American Psychological Law Society (APLS) and Forensic Mental Health Association of California (FMHAC).