Meet Dr. Stephen Reich

Stephen Reich, Ph.D., J.D., is the Director of the Forensic Psychology Group and an expert forensic psychological witness who testifies in courtrooms around the nation. He has an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience in a range of forensic psychological issues and is widely known for his expertise in criminal, immigration, employment, and personal injury cases. Dr. Reich has more than three decades of experience in psychodiagnostic evaluations and courtroom testimony, and leads a team of experienced licensed psychologists and psychiatrists. As one the few forensic psychologists in the United States who are also experienced attorneys, Dr. Reich brings rare wisdom and poise to the stand. His psychological insight and legal background are significant assets in the courtroom.

A Deep Interest in Psychological Assessment
Stephen Reich received his B.A., J.D. and M.B.A. from Columbia University. His M.B.A. specialization was in Industrial Relations, and he found that he was particularly interested in the psychological aspects of industrial relations. As an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, Stephen Reich was involved in countless hearings, investigations and trials concerning violations of New York State security laws and syndication laws. During that time, he interviewed many potential defendants or material witnesses in connection with alleged crimes for which they were being investigated. He began to realize that his deeper interest was in the psychological aspects of the cases--what motivated the accused to act, how they acted, and the consequences that their actions had on their lives.

Experienced Prosecutor and Defense Attorney
While he was serving as a prosecutor for the State of New York, Stephen Reich was also serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General Corps. During periods of active duty, he acted as defense counsel to naval enlisted personnel during their courts martial. Thus, early in his career, he gained experience both as a prosecutor and defense lawyer.

Mentored by Leading Experts in Psychological Assessment
After practicing law for several years, Steve returned to graduate school to pursue his interest in psychology. He received a United States Public Health Fellowship in Clinical Psychology and took his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Fordham University. There, he was mentored by Dr. Marvin Reznikoff, one of the leading psychological and psychodiagnostic assessment experts in the United States, and studied under Dr. Anne Anastasi, then perhaps the foremost authority on psychological testing. He was awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and continued to study psychological assessment under another nationally recognized expert, Dr. David Clayson, then head of the Division of Psychology at the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. Following his Fellowship, Dr. Reich was appointed to the faculty of Cornell University Medical College in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychology. For more than three decades he was a faculty member of Weill Cornell Medical College and on the attending staff of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic.

A Specialization in Psychodiagnostic Evaluation
Early in his career, Dr. Steve Reich specialized in psychodiagnostic evaluation, psychological assessment, and psychotherapy. At Weill Cornell Medical College, he both lectured and supervised in all three areas. In his private practice as a psychologist, he specialized in individual therapy and group therapy. In 1978, he was asked by Consolidated Edison Company to become a psychological consultant. He helped Con Ed to set up one of the earliest Employee Assistance Programs, in which any employee could receive psychological help in a confidential setting.

Consultations with Lawyers on Psychological Factors
In addition to his work in psychology, Dr. Reich always maintained his extensive contacts in the legal community. He was often asked by other attorneys to assess their clients, where the attorney felt that psychological factors were heavily involved in the legal situation that their client presented. Over time, these consultations became more and more frequent, and Steve was soon testifying extensively as an expert witness. In many cases, his psychological evaluations and expert witness testimony have helped attorneys to produce life-altering results for their clients.

Active in Leading Professional Associations
Dr. Reich is a member of the American College of Forensic Psychology, the American Psychological Association, the New York State Psychological Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the New York Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

A Team of Distinguished Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry Experts
Dr. Reich's own experiences as an expert in courtrooms throughout the country revealed to him that there was a great need for expert psychological services in many areas of law that was not being met. He saw what a dramatic difference expert witness evaluations and testimony can make, and decided to form a group of expert witnesses who could assist lawyers nationwide. He founded the Forensic Psychology Group, attracting a team of experts experienced in many aspects of psychology and psychiatry.

Expert Witnesses in a Wide Range of Cases
Dr. Reich and his core team of psychological experts are available to conduct evaluations and testify for the prosecution and the defense, nationwide. They consult and testify in cases of personal injury law, including head injuries and brain damage; trauma resulting from sexual assaults; false arrest; employment discrimination; and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The experts of the Forensic Psychology Group have extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law, and have testified for both the prosecution and the defense in cases of murder, rape, child rape, domestic violence, child pornography, juvenile crime, and military courts martial. Several of the cases they have been involved in have received nationwide attention. The Forensic Psychology Group portfolio of cases also includes many employment law cases, as well as every aspect of immigration law. In addition to his core team of experts in New York, Dr. Reich has built a network of experienced psychological experts around the country. You can reach Dr. Reich at 212-935-6133.

Watch Dr. Reich on RNN-TV: Interview on the Criminal Mind