After more than two decades working in public and private sector psychology, Dr. Novitskie has established a specialized practice that serves a unique position in the justice system. Novitskie Forensic Psychology operates at the complex intersection where clinical mental health assessment meets legal proceedings, providing evaluations that inform some of the highest-stakes decisions in criminal and civil courts.
The practice focuses on comprehensive psychological assessments for legal matters, including competency evaluations, violence and sexual risk assessments, and civil capacity determinations. For attorneys navigating complex cases and courts requiring expert testimony, these forensic mental health evaluations provide the clinical rigor and legal relevance that high-stakes proceedings demand.
From Correctional Leadership to Private Practice
Dr. Novitskie’s background includes serving as Clinical Director at New Jersey’s Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a specialized correctional facility for individuals convicted of sexual offenses. In that role, she oversaw mental health programs, supervised clinical staff, and conducted Sexually Violent Predator risk evaluations for the state Attorney General’s Office. This experience provided deep expertise in risk management and offender rehabilitation that now informs her private practice work.
She also developed juvenile diversion programs within the Bergen County court system while serving as Coordinator of the Forensic Unit, creating clinically informed alternatives to traditional punitive responses for young people. These programs addressed issues including early substance use, sexting, and cyber harassment, providing interventions that kept youth engaged with treatment rather than simply processing them through the justice system.
Expanding Services to Law Enforcement
The practice is expanding beyond traditional forensic evaluation to include police psychology services. This includes pre-employment psychological evaluations for law enforcement candidates, fitness-for-duty assessments, and officer wellness consultations. Dr. Novitskie also provides support related to critical incidents and trauma-informed clinical care for officers experiencing crisis.
The clinical side of the practice addresses trauma, compulsive behaviors, aggression, and chronic pain, including evidence-based approaches such as Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Dr. Novitskie is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II, with specialized training in the treatment of complex trauma. This dual focus allows the practice to serve both the forensic assessment needs of the legal system and the therapeutic needs of individuals dealing with complex psychological issues.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
What distinguishes the practice is its integration of direct clinical work, research, and academic teaching. Dr. Novitskie has published research on sex offender treatment, domestic violence, and forensic psychology, and has taught dozens of graduate and undergraduate psychology courses. This combination brings both empirical research and real-world forensic experience to client work.
Dr. Novitskie will be releasing of A Life Unfolding, a powerful new work co-authored with Kevin P. Donaldson and Sherrie Allsup. This deeply moving book centers on the experiences of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, offering not only a platform for their voices to be heard but also a message of validation, resilience, and connection. Through its compassionate and unflinching narrative, A Life Unfolding creates a space where survivors are reminded they are not alone, fostering understanding and hope for healing.
Looking ahead, the practice plans to deepen collaborations with law firms, courts, and government agencies while expanding professional training for both law enforcement personnel and clinicians interested in trauma and forensic work. The goal is to grow in a way that strengthens the practice’s reputation for rigorous evaluation and effective collaboration with legal and law enforcement systems, while continuing to provide specialized psychological consultation that serves both public safety and mental health.