Lawrence Amsel, MD, MPH
Forensic Psychiatry and Legal Medicine
25 Years of Experience
Dr. Amsel provides psychiatric evaluations and consultations in both criminal and civil (plaintiff and defense) cases. With a specialty in Psychiatric consequences of personal injury cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Greif, Criminal Mitigation, Psychiatric Malpractice, and Psychiatric aspects of Divorce and Family Law.
Dr. Amsel has been practicing psychiatry and public health psychiatry for 25 years, as well as doing academic research and teaching in psychiatry at Columbia University. He co-directed the Trauma Studies and Services division at Columbia University, where he was involved in treating victims of 9/11 and their families, and was a major trainer for other clinicians.
A Qualified and Experienced Expert
An Early Champion of Decision Science
This has given him a strong foundation as an expert on PTSD and other psychological effects of various types of trauma. Dr. Amsel was one of the early champions of the application of Decision Science, Game Theory and Behavioral Economics to psychiatric research, including to suicidal behavior, another important area of his expertise. Dr. Amsel has applied his extensive clinical and research expertise to many different types of complex legal issues involving psychiatry.
Expert Witness in Psychiatry
Dr. Amsel serves as an expert witness in matters related to psychiatry, with a focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide, Grief, Medical Decision Making, Hospital Psychiatric Care, Appropriate Evidence-based Standards of Care, and Malpractice. Excellent references from multiple law firms are available on request. Dr. Amsel’s expertise in dealing with the interface of legal and psychiatric issues is based on 28 years of experience in clinical practice, academic psychiatry, research, and public health, as well as his experience as an expert witness.
Expert on PTSD
As an expert in the effects of traumatic experiences, after 9/11, Dr. Amsel co-directed the Trauma Studies and Services Division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He has been extensively involved in treating victims of 9/11 and their families, in doing research on the effects of the 9/11 attacks on the survivors and First Responders, and in training clinicians in cutting edge treatments for PTSD and Complicated /Traumatic Grief.