About
Forensic Psychology LLC is the private practice of Dr. Laura Brown in Baton Rouge. Dr. Brown specializes in forensic assessment and provides psychological evaluations, file reviews, expert testimony, and consultation to courts, attorneys, and other legal decision makers. Dr. Brown’s approach to forensic assessment is science based and emphasizes objective data, empirical evidence, reliable methods, current scientific knowledge and peer reviewed research publications, and transparent presentation of the data and reasoning underlying expert opinions. This approach is in line with the highest standards for ethical and professional practice of psychology as well as the Daubert standard for admissibility of expert witness testimony. The hope is that the services provided ultimately enhance the functioning of the legal system by enabling courts and jails to respond appropriately to mental illness and increase access to justice for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Dr. Brown continually refines and updates her knowledge and clinical practices according to peer reviewed research, relevant changes in the law, and methodological/technological advancements.
Dr. Brown is involved in training and mentoring future psychologists as a clinical supervisor for graduate practicum students and predoctoral interns from local clinical training programs and postdoctoral level psychologists seeking state licensure. She also provides educational seminars and workshops for professional associations, academic programs, and other organizations and consultation to individuals, companies, and other entities who have an interest in mental illness in the legal system.
Laura Brown, Ph.D.
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Dr. Brown has been in licensed practice since 2015. She worked at the secure forensic unit of Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System evaluating defendants committed by state courts as incompetent to proceed or not guilty by reason of insanity for her first 5 years of licensure. This is the primary (and only) receiving facility for incompetent defendants and insanity acquittees deemed in need of inpatient admission. These years were spent developing and refining assessment procedures and promoting agency sponsored training and policies that adopted scientifically rigorous methods, updated psychological assessments, and clearer reports for courts. She served as the primary clinical supervisor for graduate students, predoctoral interns, and postdoctoral residents completing forensic assessment rotations at the hospital. Former supervisees went on to careers in clinical and forensic practice, multidisciplinary research centers, and 4-year state universities.
Dr. Brown continues to focus on forensic psychological assessment in private practice. This includes court-appointed criminal evaluations as well as criminal and civil court referrals from attorneys, administrative agencies, private companies, and others. She often supervises graduate students and postdoctoral level psychologists who assist with these services.
Clinical Specializaton
Psychological tests and measurement of behavior, malingering and deception, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and personality disorders
Education
B.S., Psychology, Louisiana State University, 2006
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Louisiana State University, 2010
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Louisiana State University, 2013
Pre-doctoral Internship, Northeast Florida State Hospital, 2013
M.S., Clinical Psychopharmacology, Alliant International University, 2019
Professional Associations
National Academy of Neuropsychology
Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Andrea Pignatiello
Executive Assistant
Andrea Pignatiello is an Administrative Assistant with over six years of experience. She graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with an Education degree. She worked as an educator for four years before deciding to use her skillset in other areas. Andrea specializes in calendar management and scheduling and is responsible for communication procedures and record collection. She takes pride in her attention to detail. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She began working with Forensic Psychology LLC in 2022.