Before joining The Chicago School in 2012, Dr. Hess completed a joint-J.D.-Ph.D. program in Psychology-Law at Palo Alto University and Golden Gate University School of Law. While in California, he provided civil and criminal litigation services in the San Franciso Bay Area. More recently, Dr. Hess conducted criminal and civil forensic psychological evaluations of adults as part of a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Law-Psychiatry Program. The evaluations were conducted across multiple settings and included competency/fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility, aid-in sentencing/mitigation, civil commitment, violence risk assessment, and disability rights. Dr. Hess has provided expert testimony in cases involving competency/fitness to stand trial, civil commitment for persons with serious mental illness and risk of harm, and civil commitment for persons at risk of harm secondary to substance abuse. In addition to teaching and conducting forensic mental health assessments, Dr. Hess’ professional interests include developing policy-based research and providing consultation to improve forensic-based programs, practices, and procedures. His current research interests focus primarily on specialty/problem-solving courts, jail diversion/criminal offender management, legal implications in forensic mental health, malingering, and sexually violent offenders.

• B.A., Psychology & Political Science, Plattsburgh State University of New York (SUNY)
• J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University
• Post-doctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology, University of Massachusetts Medical School

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Illinois
• Licensed Attorney, California

Select Publications

• Hess, D. T. & Packer, I. K. (2012). Treatment disclosures in sex offender civil commitment evaluations. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 40(3), 424-426. 
• Chopra, S. & Hess, D. T. (2010). Mental health professionals in the witness chair: Strategies for more effective legal testimony. Psychiatric Malpractice Risk Management, 6, 55-67. 
• Jackson, R. L. & Hess, D. T. (2007). Evaluations for the civil commitment of sex offenders: A survey of experts. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 19, 425-448. 

Select Presentations

• Hess, D. T. (June 2012). Navigating the intersection of mental illness, substance abuse, and cognitive impairment in forensic evaluations. Clinical-forensic case presentation at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Law and Psychiatry Program, Clinical and Research Seminar, Worcester, MA. 
• Hess, D. T. (June 2012). Shocks and pellets: Using behaviorist theory to improve specialty court research. Paper presented at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Law and Psychiatry Program, Clinical and Research Seminar, Worcester, MA. 
• Hess, D. T. & Jackson, R. L. (March 2011). Treatment intervention and service delivery in mental health courts. Poster session presented at the 4th International Congress of Psychology and Law, Miami, FL. 
• Hess, D. T. & Jackson, R. L. (March 2010). Court-culture, environment, & intervention techniques in mental health courts: Implications for public policy. Poster session presented at the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) Annual Convention, Vancouver, BC. 

Professional Memberships

• Illinois Psychological Association (IPA), Member.
• American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS), Early Career Professional Member.
• American Psychological Association (APA), Member.
• Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health.
• National Lawyers Guild (NLG) - Chicago, Attorney Member.
• California Bar Association.

Media

• Sex Offenders Sue Chicago Police Department, WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, November 8, 2012.