NSU Jacksonville Hosts Forensic Psychology Day

Jacksonville, Fla.– January 21,2014 –

Internationally known  forensic psychologist Lenore Walker, Ed.D. will be one of the five keynote speakers at Nova Southeastern University’s first Forensic Psychology Day at NSU’s Jacksonville campus. Dr. Walker, who coined the term “battered woman syndrome,” is a professor at NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies and coordinator of the clinical forensic psychology concentration and established the first Forensic Psychology Day at NSU Jacksonville. She is one of several renowned forensic psychologists that will partake in the panel discussion at the event. 

Panelist presentation on, “Forensic Psychology and the Law,” will be followed by five different breakout sessions on Saturday, Feb. 1. Forensic Psychology Day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Room 210 at NSU’s Jacksonville Campus, 6675 Corporate Center Pkwy, St. 115, Jacksonville, FL 32216.

The event aims to educate and train on research and public policy issues around domestic violence. Undergraduate students, all mental health providers, professionals in the field of forensic psychology, criminal justice professionals, and interested community members are encouraged to participate in this event that will feature a panel of renowned professionals in the field.

Presenters include:

• Steven N. Gold, Ph.D. professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Center for Psychological Studies. He founded and serves as director of the Trauma Resolution Integration Program (TRIP) at NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies.
• David L. Shapiro, Ph.D. professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Center for Psychological Studies.
• Lenore Walker, Ed.D., professor at NSU, has a national practice in forensic psychology and testifies on psychological impact from interpersonal violence and trauma including domestic violence, child abuse and violence against women.
• Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren was elected Broward County Court Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit in 1997. She is assigned to a criminal division where she maintains a full criminal caseload. She began the first mental health court in the US upon which over 300 other mental health courts have been modeled.
• Stephanie Akl is a third-year doctoral student in clinical psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology at NSU. She is also the program manager for the M.S. in Forensic Psychology program.

Agenda for Forensic Psychology Day:

8:30 – 9 a.m. Registration
9 – 11:30 a.m. Forensic Psychology Panel with Dr. Gold, Dr. Walker, Dr. Shapiro, and Judge Lerner Wren
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Individual Breakout Sessions

• Judge Ginger Lerner Wren: “The Mental Health Court”
• Dr. David Shapiro: “Psychology & Risk Assessment of Future Violence”
• Dr. Steven Gold: “The Impact of Trauma on Behavior”
• Dr. Lenore Walker: “Battered Women Who Kill in Self Defense”
• Stephanie Akl, M.S.: “A Student’s View on Forensic Psychology Training”

###

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by Tuesday January 28th by calling (904) 245-8910 or emailing sg871@nova.edu. Attendees will receive a certificate of participation, breakfast, and lunch.

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic, fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with an enrollment of 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields.  NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  For more information, please visit www.nova.edu. Celebrating 50 years of academic excellence!

Media Contact:

Julie Spechler | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5348 (office)
954-593-3361 (cell)
julies@nova.edu