Dr. Teo Ernst, Psy.D., ABPP (Director, Pacific Forensic Group - Experts in Forensic Psychology, Neuropsychology & Neurology)

1402 Park St. Suite C
Alameda, CA 94501
Office: 415-385-9701
Introduction

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.


Areas of Expertise
  • Brain Injury
  • Disability
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Military Mental Health
  • Neurology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Sanity/Competency to Stand Trial
  • Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
  • Stress

Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: Licensed Psychologist in California, New York, and Washington State
Board Certification, American Academy of Professional Psychology
Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Psy.D., Wright Institute, Berkeley CA
M.A., Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA
B.A., U.C. Santa Barbara
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Psychiatry
Subject Matter Expert, Qualified Medical Examiner Pre-Test Panel
American Academy of Forensic Psychology
American Psychology-Law Society
Association for Scientific Advancement in Psychological Injury and Law


Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Ernst, T: (January 2018) Coping with the Emotional Toll of Legal Practice, presented to the California Minority Counsel Program, Oakland, CA

Ernst, T. (June 2017) Managing Challenging Personalities: A Fiduciaries’ Practice Guide, presented to PFAC Annual Conference, Burlingame, CA

Ernst, T., Armstrong, Keith (September 2017): Attachment and EFT Informed Family Therapy, UCSF Intensive Family Therapy Program, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (October 2016) Managing Challenging Personalities: A Fiduciaries’ Practice Guide, presented to Professional Fiduciary Association of California, San Rafael, CA

Ernst, T (June 2016) Strategies for Working Effectively in Legal Practice with Mental Illness (June 2016), presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (January 2016) Client Control, Family Dynamics, and Competency in Estate Planning, presented to Marin Estate Planning Council, San Rafael, CA

Ernst, T. (January 2016) Personal Injury Evaluations: Best Practices and Strategies for Cross Examination, presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (January 2016) Strategies for Managing and Screening Challenging Client Behavior, presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. Ornstein, E. Busch, A. Li, Sheening. (January 2016) Foundations of Family Therapy, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst T. (January 2016) Maintaining Happiness in Legal Practice, presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst T. (January 2016) Maintaining Happiness in Legal Practice, presented to Nixon Peabody Super MCLE Seminar, San Francisco, CA

Ernst T. (September 2015) Evidence Based Assessment of Psychological Malingering, presented to ACE Insurance, Fremont, CA

Ernst, T. (July 2015) Strategies for Managing and Screening Challenging Client Behavior. Webinar presented to Consumer Attorneys of California, San Francisco Chapter, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (February 2015) Attachment Informed Family Therapy, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (October 2014) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment, and Occupational Challenges, presented to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. Armstrong K. (July 2014) Review of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Video Session Commentary, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. Armstrong K. (February 2014) Attachment and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy: The Model and Theories of Integration with Structural Approaches, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (January 2014) Maintaining Happiness in Legal Practice, presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (May 2013) Improving Your Quality of Life at Work, presented to the Appellate Judicial Attorneys Institute, Santa Clara, CA

Ernst, T. (February 2013) Maintaining Happiness in Legal Practice, presented to San Francisco Bar Association, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T., Armstrong K. (January 2013) Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Families, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst T., Armstrong K. (September 2012) Review of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, presented to Intensive Family Therapy Program, UCSF, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T (May 2009) EAP Assessment and Intervention with OEF/OIF Veterans, lecture presented to San Francisco Employee Assistance Professional Organization, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T (February 2009) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Treatment, internet radio interview conducted by MyExpertSolution.com

Ernst, T (January 2009) Neurobiology of the Stress Response and Stress Reduction Strategies, presented to San Francisco General Hospital Coronary Heart Disease Patient Clinic, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T (November 2008) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Assessment and Intervention with University Students, lecture presented at Notre Dame de Namur University practicum training seminar, Belmont, CA

Ernst, T (November 2008) Understanding and Helping Family Members with Histories of Trauma, lecture presented to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Francisco monthly membership meeting, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T. (September 2008) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Assessment and Intervention with Newly Returning Veterans, lecture presented to Napa Psychological Association, Napa, CA

Armstrong, A., Peterson, C., Ernst, T., Lindner, G. (September 2007) Assessment and Psychotherapy Intervention for Newly Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, lecture presented to San Francisco Bay Area Coming Home Project at the San Francisco V.A., San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T (July 2007) Case discussant at APA internship psychotherapy seminar, Napa State Hospital, CA

Ernst, T (June 2007) Termination with Psychotic Spectrum Patients in a Community Mental Health Setting, seminar presented to psychology practicum students at Richmond Area Multi-Services, San Francisco, CA

Ernst, T (November 2007) APA Internship Applications and Dissertation Topic Selection, seminar presented to graduate students at the Wright Institute, Berkeley, CA


Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Approximately 300
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Our group collectively has been retained in areas including:
Child and Adult Personal Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
PTSD
Toxic Exposure
Testamentary Capacity
Standard of Care
Housing Discrimination
Nursing Home Care
Employment Discrimination & Harassment
Mitigation & Resentencing
Violence Risk
Sexual Violence Risk Assessment
Trail Competency
Criminal Responsibility/NGRI
MSO and Intent
Diversion
Franklin Evaluations
Disputed Confession
Malingering
Trauma and Offending
Juvenile Competency
Transfer Hearings
Disposition Evaluations
730 Evaluations
Child Witness Credibility
Fitness for Duty
Disability
Discrimination/Harassment
Defense Base Act
Priest Violence Risk Assessment
Neurology
Nueropsychology
IME’s
ADHD


Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Please contact us for our current rates.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Please contact us for our current rates
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Please contact us for our current rates
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Please contact us for our current rates

References

Available Upon Request


Video
Pacific Forensic Group; Experts in Forensic Psychology, Neuropsychology & Neurology Teo Ernst, PsyD, ABPP, Board Certified Forensic Psychologist, Introduces the Pacific Forensic Group