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Neil Gowensmith

Neil Gowensmith

Associate Professor, Professional Psychology

University of Denver, USA

  • IUR
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Professional Biography

Neil Gowensmith is a core faculty member at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology, teaching exclusively in the Forensic Psychology graduate program. In 2014, he created and became the director of the department’s forensic mental health institute, Denver FIRST (The University of Denver’s Forensic Institute for Research, Service, and Training). Denver FIRST now operates a postdoctoral fellowship, an outpatient competency restoration program, and a robust forensic evaluation service. Dr. Gowensmith has worked in prisons, jails, courts, community mental health centers, and mental health hospitals throughout his career. From 2006-2012 he served as the Chief of Forensic Services for the State of Hawaii, helping lead Hawaii out of federal oversight and implementing several innovative and evidence-based community forensic policies and programs. He continues to serve as a national expert in forensic mental health, with consultation, research, and practice focusing specifically on outpatient competency restoration, standards for forensic evaluators, conditional release of insanity acquittees, and public forensic mental health systems.  He is one of two Special Masters designated by the US District Court (Colorado) to help oversee the transformation of the competency services system in Colorado.

Degree(s)

Post-doctoral Residency in Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychology (APA Accredited Specialty Practice Program in Forensic Psychology)

  • Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington D.C.
  • Forensic Inpatient Services & Bureau of Legal Services Divisions
  • September 1999 to September 2000

Clinical Internship Internship in Clinical Psychology (APA Accredited)

  • Honolulu Veterans Affairs Medical & Regional Office Center, Hawaii
  • September 1998 to September 1999

Ph.D. Counseling Psychology (APA Accredited)

  • Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
  • Awarded: Summer 1999

B.A. Psychology

  • The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
  • Awarded: December 1992

Professional Affiliations

  • Licensed Psychologist, Colorado
  • Member, American Psychological Association
  • Member, American Psychology-Law Society
  • Member, Colorado Psychological Association