Experience and Qualifications
Dr. Goldenson is registered in good standing with the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario to practise in clinical and forensic psychology. She is well prepared to conduct complex psycho-legal evaluations, having completed a formal postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology in association with the Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute at Simon Fraser University.
She is a member of the Program in Psychiatry and the Law at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center / Harvard Medical School and was the 2021 recipient of the Strasburger Award in recognition of her contributions to this program. Dr. Goldenson has trained and worked across a range of forensic and psycho-legal settings, including the San Diego Superior Court, multiple sites affiliated with the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
She has been engaged in the assessment and treatment of diverse clinical and forensic populations for nearly two decades and regularly consults with and supervises other mental health professionals.
Teaching and Publications
Trained within a scientist-practitioner model, Dr. Goldenson has held academic leadership and teaching roles. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) and serves as Chair of the Clinical and Counselling Psychology Program within the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. She also holds a cross-appointment with the Institute of Forensic Science at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Most relevant to her forensic practice, she teaches at the doctoral level in:
- psychological assessment
- forensic psychology
- diagnostic systems
Dr. Goldenson remains actively engaged in research and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications addressing:
- trauma-informed approaches to forensic assessment
- adverse childhood experiences and interpersonal abuse
- assessment of harm arising from institutional abuse
- assessment of feigned posttraumatic stress disorder
- intimate partner violence
- female perpetration of violence
- forensic supervision and consultation
She is Section Editor for Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Forensic Practice in Psychological Injury and Law and serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health.
Leadership and Service
Collaboration and service are central to Dr. Goldenson’s professional identity. Her leadership roles include:
- President, Ontario Psychological Association (2022)
- Member, OPA Board of Directors (2018–2023)
- Lead, OPA Provincial Forensic and Correctional Consultation Group (2021–2023)
- Founder, OPA Psychologists in the Legal System (PALS) Network (2019)
- Co-Chair, Canadian Psychological Association Criminal Justice Section Task Force (2023–2025)
- Member, Fitness to Practise Committee, College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario (2020–2022)
Professional Memberships
Dr. Goldenson is a member of several professional organizations, including:
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Canadian Association of Psychologists in Disability Assessment
- American Psychological Association, Division 56 (Trauma Psychology)
- American Psychological Association, Division 41 (American Psychology–Law Society)
- International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence
- International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services
- Society for Personality Assessment
- International Society of Trauma and Dissociation
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
*Dr. Goldenson’s CV is available upon request.