Biography
Jorge G. Varela, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. In addition to his clinical work through the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences, he serves as Vice Chair for Education and Director of Training for the Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology housed in our department. His current clinical responsibilities include conducting forensic assessment (English and Spanish language) and psychological screening of candidates for positions as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Dr. Varela completed his undergraduate studies at Florida International University (1991) and his doctorate (Ph.D.) at the University of Alabama (2000). He served on active duty as a psychologist in the U.S. Air Force for nine years, including his internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. As an Air Force psychologist, he served tours as a staff psychologist at Maxwell AFB, as a staff psychologist and internship faculty member at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, and as Mental Health Flight Commander at Kirtland AFB. Prior to his appointment to the School of Medicine faculty in June 2025, Dr. Varela served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology and Philosophy at Sam Houston State University. While at Sam Houston State, his scholarship examined questions related to sexual violence risk assessment, forensic assessment, and the intersection of forensic assessment and multicultural psychology. In addition to his teaching, research, and service duties, he served as Director of Clinical Training for the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology from 2014 to 2021 and as Chair of the Department of Psychology and Philosophy from 2022 to 2025.
Areas of Specialty
Clinical Psychology
Achievements & Awards
Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology, Beverly Thorn Award for Outstanding DCT Service (2025)
Texas Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education (2019)
Distinguished Visiting Professor, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center (2019)
59th Medical Operations Group Clinical Psychologist of the Year (2005)
Gender
Male
Languages
- Spanish
Research and Scholarship
Kurus, S. K., Boccaccini, M. T., Varela, J. G., & Noland, R. M. (2024). Evaluator disagreement about the association between Psychopathy Checklist-Revised scores and risk for future sexual violence. Journal of Personality Assessment. Advance online publication.
Boccaccini, M. T., Chevalier, C. S., Murrie, D. C., & Varela, J. G. (2017). Psychopathy Checklist-Revised use and reporting practices in sexually violent predator evaluations. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 29, 592-314.
Canales, E. J., Kan, L. Y. & Varela, J. G. (2017). Forensic assessment with Hispanic and limited English-proficient Hispanic evaluees: A survey of practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48, 122-130.
Varela, J. G., Boccaccini, M. T., Gonzalez, Jr., E., Gharagozloo, L., & Johnson, S. M. (2011). Do defense attorney referrals for competence to stand trial evaluations depend on whether the client speaks English or Spanish? Law and Human Behavior, 35, 501-511.