Jenna Niess, Psy.D., has practiced with Behavioral Consultants, Inc. (BCI) and the Wisconsin Forensic Unit (WFU) as a licensed psychologist (in the State of Wisconsin) since 2015. In April 2021, Dr. Niess assumed the role of Assistant Director of the WFU. In addition to her administrative and training duties, she performs a variety of forensic examinations in the course of her practice including:

• Competency to proceed to trial, sentencing, revocation– adults and juveniles

• Criminal responsibility (i.e., not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect/NGI plea) – adults and juveniles

• Risk assessment (i.e., conditional release)

• Competency to waive Miranda rights – adults and juveniles

• Waiver between juvenile and adult jurisdictions

• Sentencing/dispositional issues

Dr. Niess earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2008. She subsequently attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, earning her master’s degree in 2011 and her doctorate degree in clinical psychology in 2014. As a graduate student, Dr. Niess obtained clinical training in several forensic settings including mental health court, a male juvenile prison, and a large metropolitan jail. She completed her Pre-doctoral Internship at Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center, a private hospital in Florida specializing in competency evaluation/restoration and treatment of insanity acquittees. Dr. Niess initially joined BCI and the WFU in 2014 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, receiving comprehensive and advanced training in forensic assessment regarding various psycho-legal issues with adults and juveniles. In the course of her fellowship, Dr. Niess additionally provided outpatient competency restoration services to juveniles through BCI, and regularly participated in forensic psychiatry seminars organized by the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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Dr. Niess served as a committee member for seven years on the Forensic and Correctional Psychology Interest Section, associated with the Wisconsin Psychological Association. In that role, Dr. Niess assisted with organizing an annual single-day conference providing Continuing Education credits to psychologists on topics relating to forensic psychology.