Casey Sharpe

Dr. Casey Sharpe is an Associate Professor at The Chicago School in the Forensic Psychology Department. She is a graduate of The Chicago School's Forensic Master's program and Clinical Psy.D. program. Prior to joining The Chicago School as faculty in 2010, Dr. Sharpe was a postdoctoral fellow in forensic psychology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Law & Psychiatry program. She conducted forensic evaluations (competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, aid in sentencing, civil commitment/risk assessments) at Bridgewater State Hospital, a maximum security state forensic hospital, and at Worcester State Hospital, a Department of Mental Health facility. She provided expert testimony in cases involving civil commitment for individuals with mental illness and risk for violence, as well as dangerousness related to drug/alcohol abuse. Dr. Sharpe also conducted individual therapy with clients who were civilly committed to Bridgewater State Hospital after a finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). She currently teaches courses such as Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Violence Risk Assessment, Mental Health Law, and various community engagement courses.

In addition to her teaching duties, from 2018-2025, Dr. Sharpe served as director of the outpatient fitness to stand trial restoration program at The Chicago School Forensic Center. Here, she conducted fitness to stand trial evaluations, assessed individuals' risk for violence in the community, and oversaw clinical services for clients adjudicated as unfit to stand trial in their criminal proceedings, and who were in need of treatment in the community. She also conducted trainings and provided consultation services for other community-based fitness restoration programs throughout Illinois.

In her private practice, Dr. Sharpe provides consultation and training services to police, correctional facilities, courts, attorneys, schools, and mental health clinicians, as well as forensic evaluations (e.g., fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility/insanity, Miranda waiver, competence for immigration proceedings), psychological evaluations for immigration court (e.g., asylum), police and public safety evaluations (e.g., psychological pre-employment screenings, fitness for duty evaluations), and threat assessments/assessments of risk for violence. She has testified as an expert witness in courts throughout Massachusetts and Illinois, as well as in immigration court. Dr. Sharpe is also engaged in legislative advocacy, and is interested in how psychological knowledge and practice can inform public policy. She has received several service-learning awards and grants related to her work in curriculum development for community-engagement courses, and was the recipient of The Chicago School's 2019 Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Public Service Teaching. This award is presented to faculty who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation in community-based learning experiences, inspiring students to civic engagement as professional practitioners.