Applying the Biopsychosocial Model in Criminal Justice, Forensic Mental Health, and Legal Settings

The biopsychosocial model is an emerging multifaceted approach and framework with clear benefits for justice-involved individuals. This holistic framework considers the biological, psychological, and social elements that affect health, well-being, and behavioral health problems. As such, the biopsychosocial model is particularly well suited to help address the diverse array of physical and mental health problems, prenatal/postnatal trauma, cognitive impairments, unhealthy lifestyle practices, and histories of health disparities commonly experienced by justice-involved individuals. Designed for professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings, this training provides an overview of the biopsychosocial model and encourages its application in interactions with justice-involved clients. Key topics include how the biopsychosocial model can enhance and provide a valuable framework to use during the interviewing, intake, and screening processes, goal and treatment planning (including court-mandated treatment), expert consultation and testimony, sentencing, community supervision (e.g., probation and parole), and case management. Research findings from the following fields of study, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment theory, the first 1,000 days of life, lifestyle medicine, neurocriminology, and nutritional neuroscience, will be incorporated throughout this training to provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of this approach. A primary goal of this training is to encourage criminal justice, forensic, mental health, and legal professionals to become biopsychosocial model-informed. I invite you to think about how you can incorporate the biopsychosocial model into the work you are currently doing or are considering doing in the future.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. He is the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has provided consultation services to caregivers, professionals, and organizations on topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. He holds four master’s degrees and graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, he obtained a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. He has conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf, and has been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and professional outlets. He is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.