Our Experts
Joseph Spinazzola, Ph.D.
Joseph Spinazzola, Ph.D., is a leading specialist in the treatment and study of emotional trauma. He is the Executive Director of nationally renowned Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute of the Boston University School of Medicine. The Trauma Center is associated with some of the most progressive initiatives in trauma assessment and treatment today. Dr. Spinazzola specializes in the assessment of complex adaptation to childhood trauma in children and adults. He also directs the adult clinical program at the Trauma Center, and oversees the Trauma Center’s Research Department.
Dr. Spinazzola’s research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress reactions and violence. A very active educator and trainer of his peers, he has authored over 30 publications and scholarly conference presentations in these areas. He is co-developing new curricula for elementary school teachers and students exposed to violence. The youth violence prevention program involves action-oriented programming for traumatized children in the Boston Public Schools. His influential research on substance abuse, victims of crime assistance, violence prevention and trauma service programs has attracted funding from Roy A Hunt Foundation, Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Grant, Campaign for America’s Kids Access Initiative Grant and the National Institute of Mental Health.
In addition to his contributions to the Trauma Center, Dr. Spinazzola supervises the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Community Treatment & Services Program. Dr. Spinazzola is also co-chair of the Complex Trauma Workgroup of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a collaboration of over 70 service centers charged with improving both the standard of and access to care for traumatized children across the United States. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and attention to cultural perspectives, the NCTSN serves as a national resource for developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed services, and public and professional education.
Dr. Spinazzola’s thoughtful application of the evolving understanding of trauma, its assessment, and treatment to forensic casework embodies The Forensic Panel’s commitment to keeping courts at the cutting edge of understandings.