Max Wachtel, Ph.D.

I love cross-examination.

That is probably not a sentence you hear many experts utter. But as a Forensic Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, I painstakingly think through my opinions and continually try to disprove my hypotheses/opinions over and over again. If I get to the point of testifying in court, I am ready for cross and I can't wait for it.

I am a Forensic Psychologist and Neuropsychologist in practice for 13 years. I routinely testify as an expert witness, with expertise assessing sanity and competency, mitigation, testamentary capacity, psychopathology, psychopathy, malingering, general psychology, drug/alcohol abuse, psychological autopsies, and mental illness. I worked for 12 years as an Assistant Professor at the University of Denver.

I am also comfortable performing in front of people and/or the camera. I am the consulting general and forensic psychologist to Denver NBC television affiliate KUSA. I also starred as the behavioral profiler on Hunted, a primetime CBS television show about fugitives.

I am the author of Sociopaths & Psychopaths: A Crisis of Conscience and Empathy (2017), and The One Rule For Boys: How Empathy And Emotional Understanding Will Improve Just About Everything For Your Son (2014).

Services

Mr. Wachtel offers expert witness services in the areas of sanity and competency, mitigation, testamentary capacity, psychopathology, psychopathy, malingering, general psychology, drug/alcohol abuse, psychological autopsies, and mental illness.

Areas of Expertise

Profile

Dr. Max Wachtel has conducted more than 3000 evaluations on individuals ranging from those with mild adjustment difficulties to psychopathic first-degree murderers. He has conducted evaluations in the following areas: general psychology; neuropsychology; forensic assessment; anger management; depression; anxiety; PTSD/Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Schizophrenia; psychosis; substance abuse; DUI; domestic violence; testamentary capacity; guardianship; employment/disability; competency; sanity; malingering.

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Professional Experience

Please see website.

Licenses

Colorado: # PSY-2832
Wyoming: # T-29

Legal Experience & Services

Dr. Max Wachtel has testified and/or been deposed more than 45 times. He has experience with working with the defense and with the prosecution/plaintiff. He has been qualified as an expert in psychology, forensic psychology, competency evaluations, sanity evaluations, guardianship, testamentary capacity, and disability. He has also served as advisory witness for both the prosecution and the defense.

Affiliations

American Psychological Association
American Psychology & Law Society
Society for Media Psychology and Technology
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Education

Doctor of Philosophy Degree
August, 2001, University of Denver, Denver, CO
Major: Counseling Psychology
Honors: 1999 GSAC Outstanding Student
Areas of Interest: Group Psychotherapy, Psychological Testing, Cognitive/Neuropsychological Assessment
Dissertation Title: Group Co-Therapist Relationship Development Training: Effects on the Co-Therapist Relationship

Master of Arts Degree
August, 1997, University of Denver, Denver, CO
Major: Counseling Psychology

Bachelor of Arts Degree
May, 1995, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
Major: Psychology
Honors: Cum Laude, Peter Kiewit Scholar, Psi Chi Honor Fraternity