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Expert Bio

Primary Area of Expertise

Forensic Psychology

Expert Witness Profile

Dr. Heller has more than 40 years of experience as a licensed, treating psychologist and a forensic psychologist. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, where his doctoral dissertation was titled “Criminal Behavior and Arousal: Test of a Theory.” Dr. Heller has received extensive training on Forensic Psychological assessments and treatment, for victims of domestic and interpersonal violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, and trauma. He is retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel to assess plaintiffs for emotional and mental injury. Dr. Heller has presented to the American Psychological Association and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and has had works published in the journal Interpersonal Acceptance.

Dr. Heller has been qualified to serve as an expert psychologist in courts across the country. He has also been included in contract as a forensic psychologist for the Department of Justice’s Executive Office of Immigration Review. In addition, Dr. Heller is a court-appointed Psychologist Expert for the Assigned Counsel Plan for the Supreme Court of the State of New York (2006-current) and for New York State Family and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts (2006-2021). He is a fully vetted and approved forensic Psychologist for the N.J. Office of the Public Defender as well as other Public Defender Offices (Federal Public Defender, Public Defenders for the States of MO, IL, IA, KY, MI, MT, PA and others) as well as Legal Aid in all five boroughs of New York City. He served as the Forensic Psychologist consultant for the Rockland County (NY) Department of Mental Health Forensic Unit, Court Evaluation Service (2006-2018) providing court ordered forensic evaluations involving family and criminal court assessments. He served as staff Forensic Psychologist for Rutgers-The State University of NJ, Biomedical and Health Services, University Behavioral Healthcare (2012-2021) assigned to East Jersey State Prison in Rahway. He has been qualified as a Psychologist expert in State and Federal Courts. As an expert witness, he has been qualified numerous times as a Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Forensic Psychologist, Expert in Child Sexual Abuse, Expert in Domestic violence, Expert in Child Custody Cases, Expert in Emotional Abuse, Expert in False Allegations, Expert in Coercion/Control, Expert in Counterintuitive Behavior in Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assaults and other areas. He is considered an expert in the assessment of Defendants charged with murder, providing comprehensive reports for trial, post-conviction or post-plea mitigation evaluations as well as risk assessments for parole.

National Consultation: As a clinical forensic psychologist, Dr. Heller is available on-site or via telehealth for all 40 PSYPACT-approved states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MN, MO, ND, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY.

Education & Licenses

Ph.D. 1979, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Dissertation: "Criminal Behavior and Arousal: Test of a Theory"
M.A. 1974, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY (Clinical Psychology)
B.A. 1971, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (Psychology)

Licensed Psychologist (NY, NJ)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (NY)
Certificate in Family Forensics (Washington Square Institute, NY)

Recent Presentation: With Linda Gunsberg, PhD "A Child's preference for the batterer in child custody cases: An assessment protocol." A workshop presented at the 49 th Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). Chicago, Illinois: June 7, 2012.

Recent Publication: Heller, C. 2009. Applications of parental acceptance-rejection theory and evidence to forensic psychology. Interpersonal Acceptance, 3, 3, 1-2, 5.