To become a forensic psychiatrist, you need to have an undergraduate degree in health sciences or social sciences. You should also have completed two years of medical school and at least one year of residency training in psychiatry.
If you want to work as a forensic psychiatrist, you’ll also need to pass the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology examination. This exam covers areas such as clinical psychiatry, biological psychiatry, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. You can apply for this exam after completing your residency training but before applying for certification.
You will need several years of experience working as a forensic psychiatrist before you can apply for certification by the ABPN. If you are planning to become a forensic psychiatrist, it’s important to know that it will take time and effort to get all of the necessary education and training before you can start practicing this specialty area.
How To Become Forensic Psychiatrist
If you’re interested in a career that combines elements of medicine and law enforcement, you might consider becoming a forensic psychiatrist. Police and attorneys often rely on the expertise of medical professionals in the field of psychiatry to help them solve crimes, and their work may contribute to the outcomes of court cases. Learning how to become a forensic psychiatrist can help you decide if this career suits your professional goals.
In this article, we explain what a forensic psychiatrist is, what they do, how to become a forensic psychiatrist and what skills you can develop to prepare for this career.
Related: 12 Psychiatry Careers and How To Choose Between Them
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What is a forensic psychiatrist?
A forensic psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in evaluating the mental health of individuals involved in crimes. They assess their patients’ mental health, diagnose and treat disorders and compile reports to provide to law enforcement officers and attorneys involved in their patients’ cases. They may also testify in court about how the mental health of a patient may have contributed to their behavior related to the crime. Forensic psychiatrists may determine whether a person is mentally prepared to stand trial or if they should remain incarcerated before their trial to maintain public safety.
Related: Difference Between a Counselor, Psychologist and Psychiatrist
What does a forensic psychiatrist do?
The work of a forensic psychiatrist can take place at crime scenes, in offices and in courtrooms, depending on the progress of their patients in criminal justice proceedings. They typically begin working with patients after crimes occur and police have identified one or more suspects, at which point the forensic psychiatrist evaluates their mental health. Next, forensic psychiatrists analyze the data they’ve gathered during their observation to diagnose and treat their patients while determining how their mental health may have affected the crime. After evaluating their patients, forensic psychiatrists make recommendations to the court based on their findings.
How to become a forensic psychiatrist
Here’s how to become a forensic psychiatrist in six steps:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
People seeking a career as a forensic psychiatrist typically start by earning a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field, such as chemistry or biology. An educational background in the natural sciences helps students develop an in-depth understanding of how the brain functions and the effects of biology on human behavior. This provides students with a foundation for a career in psychiatry by preparing them for medical school.
2. Complete medical school
As licensed doctors, forensic psychiatrist candidates complete medical school before beginning their careers. Medical school takes four years to complete, and the first two years consist of academic instruction in classroom and lab settings. Most medical school programs require students to study a variety of medical disciplines, but those interested in becoming forensic psychiatrists can choose to take courses that focus on psychiatry.
During the final two years of medical school, students complete clerkship rotations that allow them to practice what they’ve learned in clinical settings. They take part in clerkships in many practice areas, including psychiatry.
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3. Complete a residency in psychiatry
After completing medical school, graduates begin a residency program. They can choose an area of specialization for their residence, which allows new doctors to practice under the supervision of experienced doctors in their field. Those seeking a career as a forensic psychiatrist complete two-year residency programs in general psychiatry. During their residency, psychiatrists take exams to become medically licensed doctors in their states.
4. Complete a fellowship
Completing a residency in general psychiatry gives doctors the experience they need to practice as physicians, but selecting a subspecialty within psychiatry requires the completion of a fellowship. A forensic psychiatry fellowship is a two-year program in which a licensed psychiatrist gains specific experience in forensics. These programs typically require the doctor to conduct research, gain practical experience and complete academic courses.
5. Receive board certification
Doctors who have completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry can apply for an Initial Certification in Forensic Psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The APBN board certification process involves passing an examination on the forensic psychiatry principles doctors learn during their fellowship. Although optional, this certification may help candidates improve their chances of getting a job in the field.
6. Find and apply for jobs
After meeting educational and licensure requirements and obtaining board certification, forensic psychiatrists can begin looking for job openings. These professionals typically work in correctional or mental health facilities. They often have a typical workweek with evenings, weekends and holidays off, although some forensic psychiatrists may work additional hours when needed, such as during their patients’ court trials.
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Forensic psychiatrist skills
Here are some skills you can develop and apply to achieve your goals as a forensic psychiatrist:
Communication
Forensic psychiatrists have highly developed communication skills, which allow them to gain an understanding of each patient and learn how to speak with them effectively. By practicing active listening, forensic psychiatrists can learn how their patients communicate and strategize methods for collecting the information they need to make diagnoses. They can also interpret nonverbal communication, such as body language, to predict the moods and feelings of their patients.
Critical thinking
Every patient a forensic psychiatrist works with is unique, so they manage the case of each patient individually. While forensic psychiatrists may identify certain patterns among people responsible for different types of crimes, each situation requires them to develop an understanding of each person involved. The varying elements of each case make critical thinking skills essential to the job of a forensic psychiatrist.
Interpersonal skills
Sometimes, collecting information from a patient involves earning their trust. When forensic psychiatrist’s patients feel they can trust them, they may feel more inclined to provide the psychiatrist with details about their thoughts and feelings as well as their account of what happened during the crime. Forensic psychiatrists may achieve this level of trust by practicing interpersonal skills, such as empathy, conflict management and negotiation.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About the Importance of Interpersonal Communication at Work
Observational skills
While some patients who speak with forensic psychiatrists feel comfortable talking to them, others may experience limitations that inhibit their ability to communicate. In these cases, forensic psychiatrists can observe their patients’ behavior to determine if it can provide them with information about their mental health. They may also observe their patients’ communication with other people to learn more about how they function.
