Dr. David F. O\'Connell, Ph.D, M.S., CFMHE
Psychologist | Forensic
91 South Progress Ave. Pottsville Pennsylvania, 17901About
Dr. David O'Connell is a Forensic & Medical psychologist practicing in Pottsville and Reading, PA.He is a Board Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator and a DEA Registered Prescribing Medical Psychologist.He has 45 years of clinical/forensic experience.In addition to his Ph.D.,he holds a postdoctoral M.S.in Psychopharmacology and has held prescriptive authority in New Mexico for a decade.He also consults with primary care providers on psychopharmacological treatment for patients with mental health disorders.He is listed in the National Register of Helath Service Psychologists and is a member of The Academy of Medical psychology.He is the author/editor of 8 books and over a dozen articles in professional journals and magazines.His promary focus is Fotrensic Psychology and has the following speciality areas :Competence to Stand Trial, Competency Restoration, Mental Status at Time of Offense (Criminal Responsibility),Pre-sentencing evaluations, Personal Injury, Capital Murder Cases, Immigration Hardship Assessments, Firearms Evaluations, Police Psychological Testing and Officer Involved Shootings Counseling/Assessment, Testimonial Capacity, IME, Addictions (e.g., DUI, Drugged Driving) Fitness for Duty/Return to Work Evaluations, Sex Offender Assessments, Child Abuse and Neglect Evaluations, Child Custody Special Assessments, Juvenile Delinquency and Decertification.
Education and Training
Fairleigh Dickinson University M.S. Psychopharmacology 2009
Temple University Ph.D. 1986
Loyola University M.S. Counseling Psychology 1978
Provider Details
Dr. David F. O\'Connell, Ph.D, M.S., CFMHE's Expert Contributions
What treatment is the most effective for anxiety disorder?
That depends on what type of anxiety disorder. Immediate relief from anxiety comes from the benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin, long-term and maintenance treatment is usually managed by the use of an SSRI such as Prozac or Lexapro. Your prescriber has several other options also. I recommend you become involved in psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and learn to practice meditation, particularly Transcendental Meditation READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Adjunct Instructor Drexel University 2008 - 2009
- Adjunct Instructor Rosemont College Graduate School 2003 - 2005
- Adjunct Instructor Alvernia University 2000 - 2010
Awards
- Service Award 1984 Bees Youth Counseling Center
- Who's Who in the World 2000 Who's Who
- Listed,Contemporary Authors 2005 Contemporary Authors
Professional Memberships
- Academy of Medical Psychology
Treatments
- Psychopharmacological Treatments for mental disorders,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,Vedic Psychotherapy
Internships
- Berks Counseling Center,Reading,Pa.
Fellowships
- none
Professional Society Memberships
- Academy of Medical Psychology
Professional Affiliations
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Articles and Publications
- 12+ articles in publications in journals such as- Archives of Medical Psychogy, Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency,Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, The Counselor,Prevention,Journal of Drug and Alcohol Education,The Hill .Books published by Rowman & Littlefield , Routledge, Guilford Press,Motivational Press,Harrington Park Press, and Haworth Press.
What do you attribute your success to?
- Hard work, passion, need for professional autonomy and growth, love of learning new things
Areas of research
- Effects of Transcendental Meditation on Psychopathology
Awards
- Contemporary Authors-2005
Philanthropic Initiatives
- World Wildlife Fund
Teaching and speaking
- Trainer for PESI, trainer at NSA and other agencies,and Dupont Corporation
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Canadian Rockies,Northwest Territories of Canada,Glacier National Park,Alaskan Highway,French Alps,Co.Donegal,Ireland,Newfoundland
Hobbies / Sports
- Vocalist in an R&B band "Class Act".Actor in independent films
Favorite professional publications
- Psychopharmacology Newsletter
Areas of research
Addictions programs on college campuses
Effects of Exercise on Alcohol relapse
Group development with involuntary patients
Effects of Meditation on psychological functioning
Assessing and treating Impaired Professionals
Dr. David F. O\'Connell, Ph.D, M.S., CFMHE's Practice location
Dr. David F. O\'Connell, Ph.D, M.S., CFMHE's reviews
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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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