This episode of Emotional Damages features Dr. Mark Levy, fpamed Medical Director and forensic psychiatrist, in conversation with Dr. Michelle Ward—psychologist, neuroscientist, and acclaimed crime documentary and podcast host. Dr. Ward shares her pioneering research on psychopathy, the biological and environmental roots of violent offending, and the evolving science of predicting predatory behavior. From her groundbreaking MRI studies on murderers to her consulting work on high-profile criminal trials, Dr. Ward offers lawyers and forensic professionals a rare insider’s perspective on where cutting-edge brain science meets the real world of criminal litigation.

Dr. Ward also hosts two highly regarded podcasts: The Mind of a Murderer and Look Who’s Stalking, where she continues to explore the psychology and science behind the world’s most complex criminal minds.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How brain imaging and neuroscience are reshaping our understanding of psychopathy and criminal behavior
• Genetic and environmental influences on violent and predatory conduct
• Key findings from the Southern California Twin Project
• Challenges and ethics of profiling “future risk” in children and adults
• Behind-the-scenes of crime documentaries and real-world expert consulting

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In this episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi sits down with Dr. Ashley VanDercar, fpamed forensic psychiatry associate, to explore how experts assess two of the most complex and high-stakes issues in forensic psychiatry: malingering and violence risk. Together, they explore the intricacies of malingering assessments and the importance of comprehensive record reviews. Dr. VanDercar then provides nuanced insights into violence risk factors, particularly in the context of severe mental illness. The episode concludes with practical advice for attorneys on effective collaboration with forensic psychiatric experts, emphasizing the synergy between legal context and psychiatric evaluation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Potential presentations of malingering (pure, partial, or false imputation)
• How experts seek to differentiate genuine symptoms from feigned or exaggerated ones
• The notion of violence risk factors, and how experts assess violence risk
• Why attorney–expert collaboration strengthens the precision of forensic opinions

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Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence and paraphilic disorders. Listener discretion is advised. The content may be distressing or triggering for some listeners.

In this episode, Dr. Ambarin Faizi is joined by Dr. Brian Holoyda, Chief Psychiatrist for Contra Costa County’s detention facilities and an internationally recognized expert on paraphilic disorders and sexual violence risk assessment. The conversation guides attorneys through the complexities of forensic assessments in sexually violent predator (SVP) cases, paraphilic disorder diagnosis, and the pivotal role of standardized risk assessment tools.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The distinction between paraphilias and paraphilic disorders in psychiatric diagnosis
• Critical elements and instruments in sexual violence risk assessment: Static-99R, SVR-20, Stable-2007
• How legal decisions hinge on psychiatric diagnoses and structured risk evaluations
• Comparisons between U.S. and international forensic psychiatric practice
• Attorney strategies for challenging or supporting risk assessment findings in court

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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In this episode of Emotional Damages, host Dr. Ambarin Faizi sits down with Dr. Paul Elizondo, a triple board-certified psychiatrist in General, Child & Adolescent, and Forensic Psychiatry. Dr. Elizondo breaks down how trauma manifests differently depending on age and developmental stage, how preexisting conditions (like ADHD or learning disorders) can shape recovery, and why careful forensic interviewing is essential to maintaining reliability.

Attorneys will gain insights into evaluating credibility, understanding concepts like “child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome,” and appreciating the lifelong impact untreated trauma can have on both individuals and outcomes in litigation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How childhood trauma looks in a 5-year-old versus a 15-year-old
• The influence of parents’ trauma responses on child recovery
• Preexisting vulnerabilities vs. resilience factors in trauma cases
• The pitfalls of poor forensic interviewing and how it influences credibility
• The role of forensic psychiatry in sentencing and diversion programs
• Why attorney awareness of trauma-informed approaches is critical in litigation

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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In this special bonus episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi brings together lessons from two powerhouse experts—Dr. Shafi Lodhi, forensic psychiatrist and neurologist, and Dr. Howard Friedman, board-certified forensic neuropsychologist—to break down the complexities of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in litigation.

Key topics discussed include:

• How TBI affects cognition, mood, and behavior
• Why testing and imaging don’t always align
• How experts assess malingering in brain injury claims
• The intersection of neurology and psychology in forensic evaluations
• Red flags attorneys should watch for in TBI reports

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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In this episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi welcomes Dr. Howard Friedman, board-certified neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist with over 12,000 evaluations to his name. Together, they explore the role of psychological and neuropsychological testing in litigation, from emotional injuries to cognitive impairments.

Key topics discussed include:

• The difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessments
• How malingering and effort are objectively detected
• The Rorschach’s value (and controversy) in forensic cases
• Common tools like the MMPI, PAI, and WMS-IV
• How to evaluate testamentary capacity and undue influence
• Why test security matters—and what’s at stake in California law

Dr. Howard Friedman is a board-certified neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist with fpamed. He has completed over 12,000 psychological and neuropsychological evaluations in civil, criminal, and testamentary matters. A past president of the Northern California Neuropsychology Forum, Dr. Friedman has also held numerous leadership roles in local and state psychological associations.

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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In this episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi speaks with Dr. James Armontrout, forensic psychiatrist and Program Director of the Stanford Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. Drawing on his extensive experience treating veterans with PTSD and conducting over hundreds of forensic evaluations, Dr. Armontrout offers attorneys an in-depth look at how trauma unfolds, how PTSD is diagnosed, and what distinguishes reliable psychiatric assessments in litigation.

Key topics discussed include:

• What separates acute trauma from chronic PTSD in legal claims
• How forensic psychiatrists distinguish genuine symptoms from exaggeration
• What modern PTSD treatment really looks like—and why it's relevant to litigation
• The roles of psychological testing and interview structure in reliable assessments
• How multi-plaintiff cases benefit from expert coordination and team-based evaluation

Whether you're handling a single plaintiff or a complex multi-plaintiff case, this episode will help you better understand how PTSD fits into the legal landscape.

Dr. James Armontrout is a forensic psychiatrist at fpamed and the Program Director of the Stanford Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. He previously served as a staff psychiatrist at the VA Palo Alto Trauma Recovery Program, where he treated veterans with PTSD and substance use disorders. He specializes in trauma-related and substance use disorders.

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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In this episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi is joined by Dr. Ayesha Ashai, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist, as she shares personal experiences that led her to the field, her encounters with criminal and civil forensic evaluations, including a memorable insanity defense case. She addresses the complexities of psychopathy, cultural psychiatry, and the disparities in mental health care, particularly within correctional settings.

Dr. Ashai also talks about the expanding role of telepsychiatry post-COVID, her upcoming projects, including a potential presentation on the Menendez brothers, and offers practical advice for attorneys engaging with forensic psychiatrists.

Key topics include:

• How forensic psychiatrists evaluate criminal intent and mental illness
• The challenges of evaluating psychopathy and the myths surrounding the disorder
• Cultural psychiatry in criminal cases—why understanding background and belief systems matter
• The role of forensic psychiatrists in building or challenging a legal defense
• How attorneys can leverage forensic psychiatry for trial strategy

Dr. Ashai has been featured in true crime media, including Pathological: The Lies of Joran Van der Sloot on Peacock. If you’re an attorney looking to strengthen your approach to forensic evaluations or simply fascinated by the intersection of psychiatry and law, this episode is a must-listen.

Have a topic you would like covered on the pod?
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