Let me be (Dr.) Frank.
I've dedicated my life to understanding and caring for the mind. Childhood curiosity drew me to study at Cornell University, which ranged from the philosophy of mind to the neurobiology of behavior. After studying neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, I attended medical school. Here, I fell in love with psychiatry because of a fascination with patients' stories and a profound respect for their unique ways of enduring them. I sought my graduate medical education at the Western Psychiatric Hospital of UPMC, one of the nation's largest and most renowned university-affiliated psychiatric hospitals. I specialize in integrating evidence-based (e.g., medication) and patient-centered (e.g., hypnosis) therapies. My practice of psychiatry is enhanced by an understanding of the individual, considering their development, personality, and life narrative.
CERTIFICATION
Psychiatry
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Clinical Hypnosis
American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
TRAINING
Residency
UPMC Medical Education
Psychotherapy
Pittsburgh & Columbia University Psychoanalytic Centers
EDUCATION
M.D., with Honors in Psychiatry
Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College
B.S., with High Honors in Biological Sciences and Minor Cognitive Studies
Cornell University
In addition to my clinical practice, I am contracted to provide Pennsylvania’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) with criminal forensic evaluations. I have submitted expert opinions related to trial competency and criminal responsibility in over 100 cases, a few of which involved courtroom testimony. Building on my experiences at deposition and trial, I have refined my testifying skills through the completion of specialized training for medical expert witnesses.
My clinical work providing long-term, comprehensive treatment for trauma has been reinforced by advanced training through the Veteran's Affairs (VA) and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL). As an expert witness, I provide evidence-based independent medical-psychiatric examinations (IME), opinions, and testimony on a range of trauma-related issues such as rape, sexual assault, molestation, incest, adult sequelae of childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, dissociation, and personality disorders. My evaluations also include objective psychological tests that assess the conscious and unconscious factors that may affect a client’s claims.
CASE EXPERIENCE
Specialized Populations
Sexually Violent Offenders • Victims of Sexual Violence, especially with particular vulnerability (i.e., Dementia, Intellectual Disability, and Autism)
Violence Risk Assessment
• College Student Violence Risk Assessment
Psychological Injury Due to Trauma
Medical Catastrophe • Sexual Assault • War Zone • Whistleblower • Sexual Abuse of person with Autism • Sexual Abuse of person with Dementia
Disability Due to Psychiatric Disorder
PTSD • Substance Use • Functional Neurological Symptom (Conversion) • Borderline Personality • Panic • Major Depression • Somatic Symptom
Trial Competence
Homicide • Rape • Assault • Child Sexual Abuse • Terroristic Threats • Weapons and Firearms-Related • Driving Recklessly and Under the Influence • Assault • Theft • Bomb Threats • Impersonating Public Servant • Animal Cruelty • Trespassing • Robbery • Arson • Stalking • Drug-Related
Criminal Responsibility
Familicide • Child Sexual Abuse • Aripiprazole-Related Compulsive Criminal behavior • Terroristic Threats • Theft • Assault • Firearm-Related • Driving Recklessly and Under the Influence
Dr. Fetterolf
Board-Certified Psychiatrist