About
Dr. Ernst, PFG's founder and forensic director, specializes in PTSD, Mitigation and Resentencing, Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence, and Employment Evaluations. He is one of a select group fewer than 40 psychologists in California who have undergone the rigorous examination process necessary to obtain Board Certification in Forensic Psychology. Dr. Ernst is an Associate Clinical Professor in the UCSF Department of Psychiatry where he provides teaching and supervision on a voluntary basis. As a trauma expert, Dr. Ernst chose to complete an additional year of fellowship training in PTSD at the San Francisco Veterans Hospital.
The Pacific Forensic Group, a multidisciplinary team, is uniquely positioned to address the majority of forensic issues involving the brain, psychological functioning and behavior. We specialize in forensic and medical-legal evaluations related to Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence (with related Dementia or Complex Medical Presentations), Employment Discrimination and Harassment, Standard of Care, Nursing Home Care, Toxic Exposure, Child and Adult Personal Injury, Fitness for Duty, Disability, Parenting Evaluations, IME's, Mitigation and Resentencing, Veterans and Active Duty Military, Juvenile Transfer Hearings, Franklin Evaluations, NGRI, Violence and Sexual Violence Risk Assessment, Malingering, Stress Response (Fight or Flight), Diversion, Defense Base Act, Standard of Care (Psychology, Neurology), Filicide, Threat Assessment Military Court Child Witness Credibility, Disputed Confession, and Adolescent Brain Development.
Our group of colleagues include:
-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) Forensic Psychologist, Specializing in Violence Risk, Sex Offender Risk, Insanity, Mitigation, and Mental Health Diversion
Our group is unique in conducting evaluation in Spanish and English. 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 in the civil, criminal, probate, and employment arenas.