Biography
Dr. Matlasz earned her B.A. in Psychology and Health & Human Services from SUNY University at Buffalo in 2014 and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2021. She completed her predoctoral internship with the Bureau of Prisons (FCC-Butner) and her postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology with the University of New Mexico's Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. Following fellowship, Dr. Matlasz joined the Department as faculty and helped develop the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor.
Personal Statement
Working at the intersection of psychology and the legal system provides endless opportunities for research, policy work, clinical and forensic services, and education. I strive to use my experiences in each of these areas to inform my work in the others. As a forensic evaluator, I regularly conduct a wide variety of criminal and civil forensic mental health assessments (e.g., competency, mitigation, violence risk, insanity, personal injury, police & public safety pre-employment). As a professor, I teach and supervise postdoctoral psychology fellows and psychiatry residents in forensic topics, but also provide education to professionals outside the University, including attorneys and law enforcement. In collaboration with scholars throughout the University and country, my research aims to advance knowledge surrounding:
- The severe behavioral and emotional problems that put individuals at risk for interaction with the legal system (e.g., callous-unemotional traits, severe mental illness)
- Policy regarding the way different systems interact with individuals with mental illness and other underserved populations; and
- Approaches to diagnostic and forensic assessment of such individuals.
I also work directly with multiple partners and agencies throughout the State of New Mexico and nationally in efforts to improve outcomes for those with mental and behavioral health issues and promote more equitable treatment of legally-involved individuals. Such positions and partnerships include, but are not limited to: the New Mexico Psychological Association (Chair of the Legislative Committee), SAMHSA GAINS Center (Technical Assistant to the NM Supreme Court Commission on Mental Health and Competency), NM Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD).
Areas of Specialty
Forensic Evaluation, Consultation, & Expert Testimony
Psychological Assessment
Developmental Psychopathology
Aggression and Violence
Psychopathy and Callous-Unemotional Traits
Key Publications
Journal Article
Matlasz, Tatiana, Frick, P, J Clark, J, E 2022 Understanding the Social Relationships of Youth with Callous-Unemotional Traits Using Peer Nominations. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, vol. 51, Issue 4, 530-542
Journal Article
Matlasz, Tatiana, Frick, P, J Robertson, E, L Ray, J, V Thornton, L, C Wall Myers, T, D Steinberg, L, Cauffman, E, 2020 Does Self-Report of Aggression After First Arrest Predict Future Offending and Do the Forms and Functions of Aggression Matter? Psychological Assessment, vol. 32, Issue 3, 265-276
Journal Article
Matlasz, Tatiana, Brylski, J, L Leidenfrost, C, M Scalco, M, Sinclair, S, J Schoelerman, R, M Tsang, V, Antonius, D, 2017 Cognitive Status and Profile Validity on the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in Offenders with Serious Mental Illness International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, vol. 50
Gender
Female
Languages
- English