Dr. Dewitte earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Illinois State University in 2003, a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University in 2011, and a Doctorate degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University-The California School of Forensic Studies in 2016.
As a graduate student, Dr. Dewitte gained experience working in outpatient and inpatient settings in Southern California treating adult populations with mental health concerns. She provided psychotherapy and conducted numerous diagnostic clarification evaluations for various psychiatric conditions such as mood disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to name a few. Having a specialty in forensic psychology, Dr. Dewitte also provided an APA accredited presentation focused on Performance Validity Tests (PVT), served as a research assistant for the Structured Assessment for Violence Risk of Youth (SAVRY), and co-facilitated a workshop for California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers discussing the identification, differentiation, and crisis management of individuals with mental illness.
Dr. Dewitte completed her post-doctoral hours at the Department of State Hospitals in Napa, CA (DSH-Napa). Dr. Dewitte treated and assessed pre-trial patients deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial (PC 1370). She performed numerous complex diagnostic and malingering assessments to determine patients’ competency-related abilities and wrote over a hundred associated reports. She also served as an intern supervisor in the APA-accredited internship program and proctored postdoctoral psychologists.
Dr. Dewitte is currently a Senior Psychologist Specialist in the Forensic Services department at DSH-Napa. She performs violence risk assessment for post-trial patients deemed Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (PC 1026) and Offenders with Mental Disorder (PC 2972). These patients have extensive histories of serious physical and/or sexual violence and severe psychopathology (i.e., psychotic spectrum, personality, substance use and/or neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as psychopathy or neurocognitive impairment). In this capacity, she routinely provides extensive written reports and expert testimony. Dr. Dewitte also serves as an expert mental health evaluator for the Alameda and San Francisco County Superior Courts and a forensic evaluator for the Colorado Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health – Forensic Services Division.
