Erika J. Canales

Biography

Erika J. Canales obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis on forensic psychology from Sam Houston State University. She works as a forensic psychologist in Texas and Washington states. Much of her professional career has been spent working for Texas State Hospitals (TSH) working on inpatient psychiatric units with adults committed to the state hospital on forensic commitments as they were found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity.

While working in Texas, Professor Canales created efficiencies to improve services to the individuals served in an inpatient psychiatric setting. She developed a standardized competency curriculum for use throughout the TSH System and set up a peer review board, that served to improve the quality of forensic reports. Professor Canales currently provides remote forensic evaluation services to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services in the Office of Mental Health Services.  She runs a private practice in Austin, Texas providing psychotherapy services to adults and adolescents. In addition, she conducts Determination of Intellectual Disability Evaluations and Violence Risk Assessments to justice-involved youth. She is committed to providing quality care to a diverse population.

Education

• PsyD, Sam Houston State University
• MA, Columbia University, Teachers College
• BA, Brown University