After two decades navigating the complex intersection of psychology and law, Dr. Novitskie has built a practice that serves those making the most consequential decisions
When a court must determine whether a defendant is competent to stand trial, or when an attorney needs to understand the psychological factors behind a crime, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These are moments where clinical expertise meets legal necessity, where a comprehensive psychological assessment can influence the trajectory of someone’s life—and the safety of a community.
It’s in this demanding space that Dr. Novitskie has spent more than 20 years building her expertise. Her journey from correctional treatment programs to founding Novitskie Forensic Psychology, LLC reflects a career dedicated to bridging two worlds that don’t always speak the same language: the clinical realm of mental health and the procedural demands of the legal system.
The practice operates with a clear philosophy: every evaluation, every therapy appointment conducted with meticulous attention to detail and adherence to the highest professional standards. It’s a boutique approach in a field where thoroughness can mean the difference between justice served and justice denied.
From Institutional Leadership to Independent Practice
Dr. Novitskie’s path to private practice was anything but conventional. As Clinical Director at New Jersey’s Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a specialized correctional facility for individuals convicted of sexual offenses, she oversaw mental health programs, supervised clinical staff, and conducted Sexually Violent Predator risk evaluations for the Attorney General’s Office. This role provided a rare vantage point into both treatment practices and forensic risk assessment within a state correctional system.
That institutional experience informs everything the practice does today. Understanding how treatment programs function—and sometimes fail—in correctional settings provides invaluable perspective when conducting independent evaluations. The work requires not just clinical acumen but an intimate familiarity with how psychology intersects with public safety concerns and legal requirements.
But Dr. Novitskie’s expertise extends beyond adult offenders. Her development of juvenile diversion programs within the Bergen County court system addressed emerging challenges like sexting and cyber harassment among adolescents. These initiatives represented a clinically informed alternative to traditional punitive approaches, recognizing that early intervention could redirect young lives away from further justice system involvement.
A Multidimensional Approach to Forensic Work
Today, the practice serves a diverse clientele: attorneys seeking expert evaluations, courts requiring competency assessments, law enforcement agencies needing psychological services for officers, and individuals navigating complex clinical concerns including trauma and chronic pain. The comprehensive psychological services span both criminal and civil contexts, from sentencing evaluations to civil capacity assessments.
What distinguishes the practice is its integration of multiple perspectives. Dr. Novitskie combines direct clinical work with academic rigor, having taught dozens of graduate and undergraduate psychology courses. She’s published research on sex offender treatment and domestic violence, ensuring her practice remains grounded in empirical evidence while addressing real-world forensic challenges.
This scholarly foundation proves particularly valuable in expert testimony, where the ability to articulate complex psychological concepts to judges and juries can determine case outcomes. The work demands someone who can translate clinical findings into legally relevant conclusions without oversimplifying the nuances of human behavior.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Impact
Dr. Novitskie is expanding her work into the subspecialty of police psychology, with a focus on critical incident stress and the complex, evolving needs of law enforcement professionals. This next phase of growth includes deepening collaborations with law firms, courts, and government agencies while broadening police psychology services. As demand for qualified forensic psychologists continues to outpace supply, her practice is positioning itself to meet emerging needs in pre-employment psychological evaluations for law enforcement candidates, fitness-for-duty assessments, and officer wellness consultations.
There’s also a commitment to knowledge transfer through professional training and mentorship. Dr. Novitskie envisions providing workshops for attorneys, trainings for law enforcement, and guidance for clinicians entering the forensic field. The specialized practice aims to contribute not just through individual casework but by elevating standards across the profession.
Dr. Novitskie introduces A Life Unfolding, a poignant and collaborative new release co-authored with Kevin P. Donaldson and Sherrie Allsup. The book brings forward the voices of those affected by childhood sexual abuse, creating a compassionate space for acknowledgment, validation, and shared understanding. With honesty and care, A Life Unfolding seeks to break silence, empower survivors, and affirm that their stories matter—and that they are never alone in their journey toward healing.
In an era when questions about criminal justice reform, mental health treatment, and public safety dominate headlines, the work being done at practices like Novitskie Forensic Psychology carries particular weight. Grounded in extensive clinical and forensic experience—particularly in trauma, pain psychology, and police psychology—each evaluation informs decisions that ripple through lives and communities. It’s painstaking work that demands both scientific rigor and human compassion—qualities that can’t be automated or delegated.
Dr. Novitskie’s mission remains rooted in what first drew her to the field decades ago: delivering objective, balanced assessments that empower courts, attorneys, institutions, and individuals to make informed decisions—one thorough evaluation at a time.
