Dr. David F. O\'Connell, Ph.D, M.S., CFMHE

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Get to know Psychologist Dr. David F. O’Connell, who serves patients in Pennsylvania.

Dr. O’Connell is a highly-trained forensic & medical psychologist, board-certified forensic mental health evaluator, and DEA registered prescribing medical psychologist. 

With an impressive track record of five decades of clinical/forensic experience, he is based in Pottsville and Reading, Pennsylvania.

Although his primary focus is in forensic psychology, Dr. O’Connell is known for his expertise in a variety of other specialty areas such as competence to stand trial, competency restoration, mental status at time of offense, personal injury, immigration hardship assessments, child custody special assessments, juvenile delinquency and decertification, among others. He is often consulted by primary care providers on psychopharmacological treatment for patients with mental health disorders.

Back in the early days of his academic career, Dr. O’Connell graduated with his Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University in 1978, and received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Temple University in 1986. He also holds a postdoctoral Master of Science degree in Psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University (2009) and has been authorized to prescribe medication in New Mexico for over a decade. 

Listed in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Dr. O’Connell is also a member of the Academy of Medical Psychology. 

Psychology is the science of behavior and mind. It includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought. It is an academic discipline of immense scope. Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat the psychological problems and behavioral dysfunctions resulting from, or related to, physical and mental health. In addition, they play a major role in the promotion of healthy behavior, preventing diseases and improving patients’ quality of life.

Attributing his success to his hard work, passion, need for professional autonomy, and love of learning new things, Dr. O’Connell has authored and edited 8 books and over a dozen articles in professional journals and magazines.

Passionate about giving back to the community, he supports the World Wildlife Fund, and is a trainer for PESI, NSA, and other agencies, as well as the Dupont Corporation.

Among his most notable achievements, Dr. O’Connell has been the recipient of the 1984 Service Award by the Bees Youth Counseling Center, and was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in the World in 2000.

When he is not working, he enjoys pursuing his hobbies and interests. He is a vocalist in an R&B band called “Class Act” and has acted in independent films. He also loves vacationing in the Canadian Rockies, the Northwest Territories of Canada, and Glacier National Park. 

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