Lisa Kalich, PsyD, ABPP

Dr. Lisa Kalich specializes in Sexual Offender and Violence Risk Assessment for Adults and Juveniles, Personal Injury; Parenting Capacity; Disability Determination; and Child Witness Issues.

Dr. Kalich is one of less than 45 Board Certified forensic psychologists in California. After obtaining a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University, Dr. Kalich earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology. She subsequently completed a pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at UC Davis Medical Center CAARE Clinic, a nationally recognized program for evaluating and treating childhood trauma.

In addition to her private practice, Dr. Kalich is currently a forensic psychologist at the CDCR Board of Parole Forensic Assessment Division, where she conducts violence risk assessments on long-term inmates eligible for parole.

Services

The Pacific Forensic Group is a firm of nine highly credentialed experts in the areas of forensic psychology, neuropsychology and neurology. Our collective services include: Child and Adult Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, Toxic Exposure, Testamentary Capacity, Standard of Care, Housing Discrimination, Nursing Home Care, Employment Discrimination & Harassment, Mitigation & Resentencing, Violence Risk, Sexual Violence Risk Assessment, Trial Competency, Criminal Responsibility/NGRI, MSO and Intent, Diversion, Franklin Evaluations, Disputed Confession, Malingering, Trauma and Offending, Juvenile Competency, Filicide, Threat Assessment, Transfer Hearings, Disposition Evaluations, 730 Evaluations, Child Witness Credibility, Fitness for Duty, Disability, Discrimination/Harassment, Defense Base Act, Priest Violence Risk Assessment, IME's, ADHD.

Areas of Expertise

Additional Expertise:

Child and Adult Personal Injury, PTSD, Toxic Exposure, Housing Discrimination, Nursing Home Care, Employment Harassment, Mitigation & Resentencing, Sexual Violence Risk Assessment, Competence to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, MSO and Intent, Diversion, Franklin Evaluations, Disputed Confession, Malingering, Trauma and Offending, Juvenile Competency, Transfer Hearings, Disposition Evaluations, 730 Evaluations, Child Witness Credibility, Disability, Discrimination/Harassment, Defense Base Act, Priest Violence Risk Assessment, ADHD, Undue Influence, Filicide, Threat Assessment, Qualified Medical Evaluations (QMEs) and Agreed Medical Evaluations (AMEs).

Profile

As a specialized team of experts in forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and neurology, the Pacific Forensic Group is uniquely positioned to address the majority of forensic issues involving the brain, psychological functioning and behavior.

Our group of colleagues include:
-Dr. Teo Ernst, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in PTSD, Testamentary Capacity, Employment Evaluations, Personal Injury, Military Veterans, and Mitigation/Resentencing
-Dr. Peter Brain Andersson, Board Certified Neurologist, Specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurocognitive Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis
-Dr. Charles Filanosky, Board Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist, Specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD
-Dr. David Contreras, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial, Transfer/Waiver to Adult Court, Juvenile Sexual Offenses
-Dr. Lisa Kalich, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Personal Injury, Parenting Capacity, Sexual Offender and Violence Risk Assessment for Adults and Juveniles, Disability, Child Witness Issues.
-Dr. Jerry Lockhart, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Bilingual (Spanish-English Specializing in Juvenile Competency and Immigration Evaluations
-Dr. Laurel Mattos, Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Trial Competency, NGRI, Mental Health Diversion, Violence Risk Assessment
-Dr. Elise Yenne, Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Juvenile and Adult Trial Competency, Violence Risk Assessment Transfer Hearings
-Dr. Trayci Dahl, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Filicide, Capital Sentencing, and Threat Assessment
-Dr. Mario Souza, Bilingual (Spanish-English) Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Violence Risk, Sex Offender Risk, Insanity, Mitigation, and Mental Health Diversion

The Pacific Forensic Group is unique in having two experts who conduct evaluations in Spanish. We are available for in person and zoom forensic evaluations depending upon the case specifics. Please utilize our website to learn more about our forensic and medical-legal services the civil, criminal, probate, and employment arenas

Areas Served

California

Professional Experience

December 2008-present Board of Parole Hearings
Forensic Psychologist, Forensic Assessment Division (approximately 1,120 risk assessments conducted to date)
-Conduct violence (and sexual violence) risk assessments for life-term and determinately sentenced inmates eligible for parole, including inmates diagnosed with major mental disorders, personality disorders, paraphilic disorders, and developmental disorders
-Utilize empirically validated forensic assessment instruments including the Historical Clinical Risk Management tool (HCR-20), the STATIC-99-Revised, as well as forensically relevant instruments including the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)
-State Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders (SARATSO) certified trainer for STATIC-99R, Certified in 2016
-Mentor newly hired staff and provide STATIC-99R training for all staff

2007-present Forensic Psychological Services
Private Practice
-Conduct violence and sexual violence risk assessments for adults, including clergy accused of sexual offending
-Conduct child welfare and child custody-related evaluations, including risk assessment and consultation involving children's suggestibility and memory issues
- Conduct evaluations related to false or disputed confessions
- Conduct violence, sexual violence, and suicide risk assessments for adolescents
- Conduct forensic evaluations for civil claims of emotional distress due to trauma
-Serve as a mentor for forensic interns, UC Davis CAARE Center

August 2007-present Contra Costa County, General Assistance Program and CalWORKS
Contracted Evaluator (approximately 600 disability evaluations conducted to date)
-Conduct Social Security disability assessments for adult clients referred by Contra Costa County Social Workers and attorneys
-Conducted learning disability assessments for adult clients through the CalWORKS program (2017-2018)
-Conducted Family Stabilization evaluations for adult clients through the CalWORKS program (2017-2018)
-Increased contract utilization by 240% from 2007 to present

2020-present San Francisco County, Psychological Assessment Services (PAS) panel

Contracted Evaluator
-Conduct psychological evaluations for adult clients involved in Child Protective Services
-Conduct parenting capacity and risk assessment for adult clients involved in Child Protective Services

August 2010-June 2017 Alameda County, General Assistance Program

Contracted Evaluator (approximately 200 disability evaluations conducted)
-Conducted Social Security disability assessments for adult clients referred by Alameda County Social Workers and attorneys

July 2007-December 2008 Sharper Future

Forensic Psychologist, Training Director, and Oakland Site Coordinator
-Conducted sex-offender specific treatment (group and individual therapy) for high-risk sex offenders (both male and female) on state and federal parole
-Conducted forensic psychological evaluations, including sex-offender risk assessments utilizing empirical measures such as the STATIC-99R, Abel Assessment of Sexual Interest, and STABLE 2000
-Organized CAPIC approved (California Psychology Internship Council) training program for predoctoral interns, including interviewing and hiring new trainees, planning a training curriculum for weekly didactic meetings, and managing trainee work schedules
-Provided weekly group and individual supervision for eight trainees, including predoctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, and practicum student
-Served as Site Coordinator for the Oakland office, which includes administration of the HRSO (high-risk sex offender) contract and new client development.
-Led presentations for the trainee didactics on topics such as pornography and female sex offenders
-Participated in monthly Sex Offender-Law Enforcement profiling meetings along with police and parole officers
-Collaborated with probation and parole officers in order to ensure clients' treatment
compliance as a part of the Containment Model

2006-2007 University of California at Davis, CAARE Center

Postdoctoral Fellow
-Conducted Child Welfare Evaluations for the family court system involving issues such as termination of parental rights, child abuse risk, reunification, custody determinations, and tailoring treatment recommendations for parents and their children
-Conducted Emergency Response Evaluations for social workers, providing a brief assessment of the adult client's mental health functioning
-Conducted forensic evaluations for competency to stand trial
-Led presentations for the Child Welfare Didactic including: Standardized Adult and Child Assessment Measures; Projective Testing/Rorschach review; Competency to Stand Trial; and Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse
-Provided informal supervision to predoctoral interns by reading and editing first drafts of evaluations
-Participated in Mock Trial Proceedings as an evaluator
-Assisted in the preparation of a self-study for the American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation of the UCD CAARE Center postdoctoral residency
-Provided Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an innovative and empirically validated treatment for children and their parents which involves live coaching by a therapist
-Provided court testimony in a PCIT treatment case
-Led monthly presentations which teach PCIT skills to parents through State Adoptions
-Completed intake assessments and provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations
-Participated in one hour of weekly individual supervision and attend weekly didactic seminars for Child Welfare Evaluations

2005-2006 University of California at Davis, CAARE Center
Accredited by the American Psychological Association
Predoctoral Intern
-Conducted Child Welfare Evaluations for the court system involving issues such as termination of parental rights, reunification, child abuse risk, custody determination, and tailoring treatment recommendations for parents and their children
-Conducted Psychological Assessments for children and adolescents
-Provided individual therapy and family therapy for children who have experienced significant trauma due to abuse and/or neglect
-Provided Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an innovative and empirically validated treatment for children and their parents which involves live coaching by a therapist
-Received training and supervision in providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an empirically validated treatment for children who have been sexually abused
-Participated in Mock Trial Proceedings as an evaluator
-Co-led social skills group for boys and girls age 6-9
-Participated in three hours of weekly individual supervision, including live supervision, and attended weekly didactic seminars for Child Welfare Evaluations and Trauma Focused CBT

2004-2005 Child Haven, Inc.
Psychology Trainee, Child Abuse Treatment Tea
-Provided individual therapy and family therapy for children, the majority of whom have experienced significant trauma due to abuse and/or neglect
-Co-led three groups for children age 4-6, boys age 6-9, and homeless parents
-Conducted intake interviews and provided necessary recommendations for assessment and treatment
-Collaborated with parents and teachers to follow through with behavioral modifications
-Worked as an integral part of the Child Abuse Treatment Team, which includes Child Protective Services, social workers, and other agency therapists
-Observed Parent-Child Interaction Treatment (PCIT) sessions
-Completed paperwork appropriate for Medi-Cal
-Participated in weekly individual and group supervision meetings and attend weekly didactic seminars

Licenses

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (California), PSY 21500

Affiliations

American Academy of Forensic Psychology

Qualifications

Board Certified in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

Awards & Honors

Staff Assembly Recognition Award Nominee in the area of Excellent Customer Service, UC Davis Medical Center, Spring 2007, related to the timely completion of evaluations for the family court system.

Seminars & Training

Selected Professional Trainings

Interrogations and Disputed Confessions: A Manual for Forensic Psychological Practice, 10 hours, November 25, 2022.

Integrating Race, Ethnicity, and Culture into Forensic Mental Health Assessments: Society for Personality Assessment, May 26, 2022.

Risk Assessment for Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended: Presented by James Worling, May 2022.

Adolescents Who Sexually Abuse: What Works in Treatment: Presented by David Prescott, LICSW, May 2022.

Evaluation of Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial: The Basics and Beyond: Presented by Janice Thomas, Ph.D., May 12, 2022.

Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offending (VRS-SO) and Related Assessment and Conceptual Considerations: Presented by Erik Fox, J.D., Ph.D. and Craig Teofilo, Psy.D., May 3 and 4, 2022.

Gang Involvement and Forensic Mental Health: Presented by Francis Guzman, J.D. and Rahn Minagama, Ph.D., January 10, 2022.

Remorselessness and Callousness in Justice Involved Youth: Presented by Jamie Flexon, Ph.D., May 23, 2021.

Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20) Training: Presented by Douglas Boer, Ph.D., Global Institute of Forensic Research (October 2, 2018).

Understanding Pedophilia and Etiology of Rape: Presented by California Department of State Hospitals. (May 2017).

Static-99R SARATSO Certification of Interrater Scoring Agreement: Presented by Amy Phenix, Ph.D. (December 2016).

PCL-R Administration and Scoring: Presented by Adelle Forth, Ph.D. (December 2016).

Suicide Risk Assessment in Youth and Young Adulthood: Presented by David Jobes, Ph.D., ABPP (October 2016).

School Violence Threat Assessment: Presented by Kris Mohandie, Ph.D., ABPP (October 2016).

Advanced Risk Assessment Seminar: Presented by Dr. Stephen Hart (November 2015).

Dynamic Risk Assessment with Sex Offenders: Presented by Jim Rokop, Ph.D. (November 2015).

Dynamics of the Child Sexual Abuser: Presented by Robert Farley, MS. Oakland, California (February 2013).

Psychological Examinations in Disability Matters: Presented by Lisa Drago Piechowski, Ph.D. San Diego, California (January 2011).

Comprehensive Assessment of Malingering in a Forensic Setting: Presented by Dr. Richard Frederick and sponsored by the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (November 2013).

Using the DSM-5 for Revolutionizing Diagnosis and Treatment: Presented by Susan Lewis, Ph.D., J.D. (August 2013).

Conducting Child Custody Evaluations in the Best Interests of the Child: Techniques, Legal and Ethical Requirements, and Child Sexual Abuse Issues: Presented by Child Abuse Solutions. San Diego, California (September 2010).

Violence Risk and Threat Assessment: Presented by Dr. Reid Meloy and sponsored by Specialized Training Services, Chicago, Illinois (November 2009).

Assessing Psychopathy with the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R): Presented by Reid Meloy, Ph.D., ABPP and approved by Darkstone Research Group. Assessing and Treating Personality Disorders Conference, San Diego, CA (August 2008).

Publications

Blacker, D., Urquiza, A., Kalich, L., and Carmichael, B. (2016). Termination of Parental Rights In Tiffany Masson (Ed.) Inside Forensic Psychology (225-247). Praeger: Santa Barbara, California.

Ronna Dillinger, Daniel Davis, Lisa Kalich, Kevin Richards, Lois Condie. American Board of Forensic Psychology: What are the challenges facing your specialty today? The Specialist, Summer 2013 (51).

Kalich, L., Carmichael, B., Masson, T., and Blacker, D. (2007). Evaluating the evaluator: Advice for legal professionals in assessing the competency of termination of parental rights evaluations. Journal of Psychiatry and Law, Fall (365-97).

Conceptual Analytic Dissertation entitled, From Salem to McMartin: An Examination of the Unique Factors that Contribute to Children's Accounts of Sexual Abuse in Multi-Victim Cases. Examines the complex phenomenon of multi-victim child sexual abuse with a focus on the community dynamics, peer interactions, and parental influences that often impair the search for the truth. Recommendations for psychologists who encounter these challenging cases are offered.
Proposal Approved September 2004, Defended March 2006

Education

1997 – 2001 Duke University Durham, NC
B.A. Psychology

Summer 2000 University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
Duke University Study Abroad

2002-2006 California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco, CA
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (Forensic Child/Family Track)