Welcome to the University of Utah School of Medicine’s Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program. Our program stands at the forefront of forensic psychiatry, a vital subspecialty that bridges the realms of mental health and the law. As forensic psychiatrists, our responsibilities are diverse and impactful, ranging from conducting insanity defenses and other criminal responsibility evaluations to assessing violence risk, performing psychosexual evaluations, and providing expert testimony in mental health court. Our work also extends to psychological autopsies, medical malpractice cases, evaluations of emotional damages and psychic harm, worker’s compensation, fitness for duty assessments, civil competencies, and much more.
The University of Utah, in partnership with the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, offers a comprehensive one-year, full-time fellowship training program in forensic psychiatry. Our program is meticulously designed to equip fellows with the knowledge and experience necessary to excel in various forensic settings, whether in corrections, private practice, research, system consultation, public policy, or academic careers. The curriculum ensures that fellows gain expertise across correctional, criminal, and civil domains through active case involvement, correctional psychiatry clinics, psychological assessments, didactic seminars, landmark case reviews, and mock trials. Additionally, our program fosters scholarly growth through a variety of research projects, educational opportunities, and public policy initiatives.
We are proud to collaborate with an extensive network of federal and state partners, including the Utah Department of Corrections, the Utah State Hospital, federal and state defenders, and district attorneys, as well as private criminal and civil bodies. Our fellowship faculty comprises experts who bring a wealth of experience from academic, correctional, private practice, and consultation backgrounds, offering fellows unparalleled mentorship and guidance.
Our mission is to prepare our fellows for successful and fulfilling careers in forensic psychiatry. Thank you for considering our program as the next step in your professional journey. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you and to support your growth in this challenging and rewarding field.
Tyler A. Durns, MD
Assistant Professor
Training Director, Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship