Trayci Dahl, PhD, ABPP - ATAP Certified Threat Manager

Dr. Trayci Dahl specializes in severe mental illness, filicide, violence risk, malingering, and threat assessment and management. Her practice is unique in having been retained in over 15 capital cases.

Dr. Dahl is one of a very limited number of psychologists nationally who are both Board Certified in Forensic Psychology and a Certified Threat Manager of the Association of Threat Assessment Professions. Dr. Dahl was selected to serve on the Examination Faculty for the American Board of Forensic Psychology, where she conducts oral examinations on candidates pursuing board certification.

Dr. Dahl received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and subsequently completed a predoctoral internship at Patton State Hospital in California. She has devoted her practice to forensic evaluations since 2003. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Dahl is a consulting psychologist for the California Department of State Hospitals Forensic Services Division, where she conducts violence risk assessments of offenders with severe mental health disorders. Dr. Dahl is actively involved in education, research, and training. Dr. Dahl serves on the Quality Assurance and Training team for the Forensic Services Division, frequently presents at conferences, conducts research on forensic evaluations, and provides training and mentorship for the Department of State Hospitals.

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, Back Injuries, Spinal Injuries, 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:

Incompetent to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Mentally Disordered Offender, Sexual Reoffense Risk, Violence Risk,
Competency to Stand Trial, Competency to Enter into Settlement with State, Criminal Responsibility/Insanity, Civil Commitment of Offenders with Mental Disorders, Youthful Offender.

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. Peter Brain Andersson, Board Certified Neurologist, Specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurocognitive Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis
-Dr. Teo Ernst, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in PTSD, Testamentary Capacity, Personal Injury, Employment Evaluations, and Mitigation/Resentencing
-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

National Practice

Professional Experience

05/2006-present Founder and President
Orange County Forensics, Inc
San Clemente, California
Conduct the following criminal forensic evaluations for adults: capital and sentencing mitigation, sexual reoffense risk, violence risk,
competency to stand trial, competency to enter into settlement with state, criminal responsibility/insanity, civil commitment of offenders with mental disorders, and youthful offender. Conduct the following civil forensic evaluations for adults: civil commitment of gravely disabled. Provide professional presentations.

12/2013-present Consulting Psychologist
California Department of State Hospitals
Sacramento, California
Conduct evaluations for the Mentally Disordered Offender and Sex Offender Commitment Programs. Training and mentoring newly hired
evaluators. Provide continuing education workshops to peers.

05/2007 – 11/2013 Contractor Psychologist
California Department of State Hospitals
Sacramento, California
Conduct evaluations for the Mentally Disordered Offender Commitment Program.

10/2006-06/2012 Contractor Psychologist
Conditional Release Program (CONREP)
Los Angeles, California
Conduct evaluations of the mental state and violence risk of individuals from Los Angeles County who have been committed to state hospitals, pursuant to several penal codes (Incompetent to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Mentally Disordered Offender).

05/2008-02/2009 Contractor Psychologist
American Correctional Solutions
Anaheim, California
Conduct evaluations of life prisoners who are eligible for parole to determine risk level for Board of Parole Hearings.

01/2007-12/2013 Contractor Psychologist
Sharper Future
Los Angeles, Riverside, and Palm Desert, California
Conduct initial intake and risk assessment of federal probationers with a history of sexual offenses.

12/2006-12/2013 Contractor Psychologist
California Superior Court Board of Medical Examiners
San Diego and San Bernardino Counties, California
Conduct evaluations as directed by the court regarding the mental state of prisoners, pursuant to several penal codes (Incompetent to Stand Trial, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, etcetera).

09/2004-10/2005 Staff Psychologist
Patton State Hospital
Patton, California
Conduct intake evaluations, psychological testing, and create initial treatment plans with interdisciplinary team.

09/2003-08/2004 Predoctoral Intern, Forensic Track
Patton State Hospital
Patton, California
Conduct psychological evaluations on new admissions. Provide psychological testing including intellectual functioning, personality
structure, neuropsychological screening, risk assessment of dangerousness, and assessment of actuarial data for sex offenders.

09/2001-08/2002 Predoctoral Intern
McAuley Outpatient Mental Health at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Conduct initial consultation interviews and provide short-term integrative therapy with male and female patients aged 6-50. Conduct
psychological testing and refer patients for psychiatric consultation as needed.

09/2000-01/2001 Predoctoral Practicum Student
The Psychological Clinic, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Conduct initial consultation interviews and provide short-term psychodynamic therapy with college students who presented with
anxiety disorders and depression.

05/2000-09/2000 Predoctoral Practicum Student
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital, University of Michigan Medical Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Conduct outpatient evaluations for children and adolescents (ages 2-17) who were referred for autism spectrum, learning, and behavioral
disorders.

01/2000-05/2000 Predoctoral Practicum
Domestic Violence Project “Safehouse”
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Provide group intervention for children (ages 9-13) whose mothers were victims of domestic violence.

Licenses

2006-present California, Licensed Psychologist (Active, License No. PSY20843)
2014-present Oregon, Licensed Psychologist (Active, License No. 2496)
2020-present Michigan, Licensed Psychologist (Active, License No. 6301018429)
2014-2015 Washington, Psychologist Temporary Permit (Inactive)
2011-2015 Oregon, Temporary Visitor's Permit (Inactive)
2001-2003 Michigan, Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist (Inactive)

Affiliations

American Board of Professional Psychology
American Board of Forensic Psychology
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals
University of Michigan Alumni Association

Qualifications

04/2013-present Board Certified in Forensic Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
04/2015-present Oregon Certified Forensic Evaluator
10/2017-present Certified Threat Manager, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals

Awards & Honors

2021-present
Board of Directors, American Board of Forensic Psychology
2021-present
Co-Chair Diversity Committee, American Board of Forensic Psychology
2021-present
Examination Faculty, American Board of Forensic Psychology
2014-present
Quality Assurance and Training Team, California Department of State Hospitals

Seminars & Training

Presentations

DiCiro, M., Dahl, T., Napolitano, S., & Yakush, B. Assessment of Dangerousness for Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Structured Approach. Symposium presented at the Forensic Mental Health Association of California convention, Monterey, California 2019.

DiCiro, M., Dahl, T., Napolitano, S., & Yakush, B. Current Issues in Mentally Disordered Offender Evaluations. Symposium presented at the Forensic Mental Health Association of California convention, Monterey, California 2018.

DiCiro, M., Napolitano, S., & Dahl, T. Developing a Best Practices Model for Mentally Disordered Offender Certification Risk Assessment. Poster Presented at the Forensic Mental Health Association of California convention, Monterey, California 2017.

Dahl, T., Napolitano, S. Updates in Evaluations of Mentally Disordered Offenders. Seminar presented at the California Department of State Hospitals Annual Training, San Diego, California, April, 2017.

Dahl, T. Forensic consultation and presentation on the case of Stewart Northcott for Investigation Discovery Network, Evil Kin, Episode 13. Riverside, California, October, 2015.

Dahl, T. Criminal Thinking: Myth versus reality. Presentation at the California Cognitive Behavioral Institute Annual Conference, Los Angeles, May, 2015.

Dahl, T., Napolitano, S., Reed, M., Wolkenhauer, M. Evaluation of Mentally Disordered Offenders. Seminar presented at the California Department of State Hospitals Annual Training, Napa, California, January, 2015.

Dahl, T., Ceballo, R., Huerta, M., & Ramirez, C. Maternal Perceptions of Neighborhoods: Effects on Mental Health and Parenting. Symposium presented at the American Psychological Association convention, Honolulu, Hawaii, August, 2004.

Aretakis, M., Ceballo, R., Dahl, T., & Banerjee, M. The impact of community violence and domestic conflict on children's psychological well-being. Poster presented at the Society for Research in Child Development biennial meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, April, 2001.

Dahl, T. (2000, October). Effects of community violence on Latino children's academic achievement. Poster presented at the Ford Fellows conference, Newport Beach, California, October, 2000.

Dahl, T., Ceballo, R., Ramirez, C., & Aretakis, M. Effects of community violence on school-age children's academic achievement. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association convention, Washington, D.C., August, 2000.

Ramirez, C., Ceballo, R., Dahl, T., Hearn, K., & Aretakis, M. Community violence effects on the mental health of Latino children. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association convention, Washington, D.C., August, 2000.

Benitez (Dahl), T., Doukas, G., Dow, G., & Harrigan, J. Effect of anxiety on head movements. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association convention, Irvine, California, May, 1999.

Armendariz, G., Mori, L., Benitez (Dahl), T. Cognitive expectancies and exam performance of Anglo and Latino undergraduates. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association convention, Irvine, California, May, 1999.

Publications

Dahl, T., and Gallagher, J. (2021). American Board of Forensic Psychology Diversity Initiative. The Specialist, 49, 33-34.
Dahl, T., Ceballo R., & Huertas M. (2010). In the Eye of the Beholder: Mother's Perceptions of Poor Neighborhoods as a Place to Raise Families. Journal of Community Psychology, 38, 419-434.
Dahl, Trayci A. (2004). Maternal Perceptions of Dangerous Neighborhoods: Effects on Mother's and Children's Psychological Health. Dissertation Abstracts International-B, 65/02, 1024-1250.
Ceballo, R., Dahl, T., Aretakis, M., & Ramirez, C. (2001). Inner-City Children's Exposure to Violence: How Much Do Parents Know? Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 927-940.
Armendariz, G., Mori, L., Cheng, T., Benitez (Dahl), T., Anselmini, K., Mearns, J., & Gutierrez, R. (1999). Test anxiety and negative mood regulation on final exam performance. Higher Education Abstracts, 34, 147.

Education

2001-2004
PhD, Clinical Psychology
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

1999-2001
MA, Clinical Psychology
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

1994-1998
B.A., Psychology
California State University
Fullerton, California