Faculty: Tracy L. Fass, JD, PhD

Tracy Fass

Tracy L. Fass, JD, PhD

Professor, Clinical Psychology Department

Adjunct Professor, Counseling and Behavioral Health Department

Director, Forensic Psychology Concentration

Email
tracy_​fass@williamjames.edu
Phone
617-564-9401
Pronouns
She/her/hers
Degree Major/Emphasis Institution Year
PhD Clinical Psychology Drexel University 2008
JD Law Villanova University School of Law 2006
MS Clinical Psychology Drexel University 2004
BA Psychology State University of New York at Binghamton 2001

Courses

  • Intro to Clinical Practice (Clinical)
  • Statistics (Clinical)
  • Psychometrics (Clinical)
  • Forensic Assessment (Clinical)
  • Psychology in the Legal System (Clinical)
  • Professional Issues and Ethics (Counseling)
  • Mental Health and Counseling in the Legal System (Counseling)

Research and Practice Interests

  • Juvenile justice
  • Juvenile delinquency
  • Sentencing and punishment
  • Forensic assessment
  • Jury decision making
  • Voter decision making

Professional Licenses and Certifications

  • Licensed Psychologist, Massachusetts
  • Licensed Psychologist, California (inactive)
  • National Register Health Service Psychologist

Awards

  • Early Career Credentialing Scholarship from the National Register of Health Services Psychologists (2016)
  • Commendation, University Best Dissertation Award, Drexel University (2008)
  • 3rd Place, American Psychology-Law Society Dissertation Award (2007)

Publications and Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Fass, T. L., and Larson, K. (2022). Teaching mental health graduate students to create change through policy reform. In H. Scherschel and D. S. Rudmann (Eds.), Teaching tips: A compendium of conference presentations on teaching, 2021-2022 (pp. 45-47). Society for the Teaching of Psychology. teachpsych.org/ebooks/teachingtips7
  • Cornett, K. A., Miora, D. S., Fass, T. L., and Dixon, D. (2013). Memory functioning for personally experienced and witnessed events in children with Autism and the implications for educators, mental health professionals, and the law. Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 4(2), Article 6.
  • Salseda, L. M., Dixon, D. R., Fass, T. L., Miora, D., and Leark, R. A. (2010). An evaluation of Miranda rights and interrogation in autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 79-85.
  • Nabors, A., Snyder, A., Wolbransky, M., Erickson, J., Finello, C., Pich, M., Fass, T., and Heilbrun, K. (2009). The effect of formal and informal coercion on managing risk for violence in the community. Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, 1, 30-47.
  • Fass, T. L., Heilbrun, K., DeMatteo, D., and Fretz, R. (2008). The LSI-R and the COMPAS: Validation data on two risk-needs tools. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35(9), 1095-1108.

Other Publications

  • Fass, T. L., Miora, D. S., and Vaccarella, S. (2015). Adult consequences for juvenile behavior: Does sentencing policy aimed at serious adult behavior cast too wide a net? In M.K. Miller, J. A. Blumenthal, and J. Chamberlain (Eds.). Handbook of Community Sentiment (pp. 227-238). New York: Springer.
  • Fass, T. L., and Miora, D. S. (Fall 2012). The pendulum of juvenile justice: Balancing punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence. American Psychology-Law Society Newsletter, 20-22.
  • Fass, T. L. (2008). Assessing the “evolving standards of decency:” Public opinion of non-capital sentencing options for juvenile offenders (Doctoral dissertation, Drexel University, 2008). Dissertation Abstracts International, 69(1-B), 735.

Presentations at Scientific Meetings

  • Brown, S., Fass, T. L., Larson, K., and Burda, T. (2023, March). The effects of race, parental supervision, and socioeconomic status on jurors’ verdicts and ratings of parental blame. at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Chakar, Z., Fass, T. L., Larson, K., and Burda, T. (2023, March). The effect of exoneree immigration status on public opinion of wrongfully convicted individuals. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Galera, P., Fass, T. L., and Davis, L. S. (2023, March). The effect of type of cognitive deficit and memory of a crime on the public’s opinion of the appropriateness of capital punishment versus life without parole. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • George, S., Fass, T. L., Larson, K., and Burda, T. (2023, March). The effect of delusion content and mental status during trial on jury decision making in cases involving the insanity defense. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Hernandez, A., Fass, T. L., Jacobs, D., and Larson, K. (2023, March). The public’s sentencing preferences for juveniles who sell opioids. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Loehr, C., Fass, T. L., Contreras, P. (2023, March). Public opinion of the death penalty: Effects of defendant race and trauma history on jurors’ sentencing preferences. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Silvia, M., Davis, L., and Fass, T. L. (2023, March). Public opinion of formerly incarcerated individuals who attend treatment for substance use. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Akinsulire, J., Fass, T. L., Powell, S., and Larson, K. (2022, March). The effect of media source on public opinion of police-involved shootings of African American and White men. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • Correia, V., Fass, T. L., and Miller, B. (2022, March). Effects of Sender and Recipient Ages on Public Opinion of Legislation Regarding Youth Sexting Offenses. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • Fass, T. L., and Larson, K. (2022, March). The impact of language on juvenile justice-involved youth. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • Larson, K., and Fass, T. L. (2022, March). Confidentiality and expungement/sealing of juvenile records: Creating evidence-based policy. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.
  • Fass, T. L., and Larson, K. (2021, October). Teaching mental health graduate students to create change through policy reform. Presented at the Annual Mid-Atlantic Teaching of Psychology Conference, dianepgcc.wixsite.com/website
  • Leibert, S., Fass, T. L., Berda, T., and Larson, K. (2019, March). Public perception of abused juvenile defendants in criminal court. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Portland, OR.
  • Chong, H. T., and Fass, T. L. (2017, October). Integrating an existential viewpoint on murder. Presented at the Annual Conference of the New England Psychological Association, Newton, MA.
  • Contreras, P., Bennasar, M. C., Napoli, M., Fass, T. L., Fialcov, C., Haddad, D., and Laboy, N. (2017, October). Immersion curricula and cultural intelligence (CQ): A study on instruction beyond the classroom. Presented at the Annual Conference of the New England Psychological Association, Newton, MA.
  • Fiol, C., Fass, T. L., Miora, D., and Kalbeitzer, R. (2015, March).  Public opinion of life without parole for juveniles charged with Homicide. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, San Diego, CA.
  • Khan-Mohammadi, S., Fass, T. L., and Lessem, J. (2015, March). The effects of mandatory sentencing instructions and nullification instructions on potential jurors’ verdicts. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, San Diego, CA.
  • Cornett, K., Miora, D., and Fass, T. L. (2013, June). Cognitive processing in children with Autism: Implications for mental health professionals and the law. Presented at the Annual Conference of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Caffero-Tolemy, A., Fass, T. L., Miora, D., and Wolff, M. (2013, March). Relationship between IQ and juvenile offending in youth with Asperger’s Disorder/PDD-NOS. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Portland, OR.
  • Fass, T. L. (2013, January). Comprehensive exams: A comparison of the first three years’ administrations. Presented at the Alliant International University Annual Faculty Retreat, San Jose, CA.
  • Caffero-Tolemy, A., Fass, T. L., Wolff, M., Miora, D., and O’Callaghan, E. (2012, March). Relationship between IQ and Juvenile Offending in Youth with Asperger’s Traits. Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Puerto Rico.
  • Fass, T. L., White, D. S., and Chiurazzi, M. (2012, January). Comprehensive Exams: An Analysis of the First Two Years. Presented at the Alliant International University Annual Faculty Retreat, San Jose, CA.
  • Geshti, S., Miora, D., Fass, T. L., and Dixon, D. (2011, March). Juvenile Sexual Offending. Presented at the APLS/EAPL Psychology and Law International, Interdisciplinary Conference, Miami, FL.
  • Fass, T. L. and Heilbrun, K. (2008, March). Assessing the “Evolving Standards of Decency:” Public Opinion of Non-Capital Sentencing Options for Juvenile Offenders.  Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Strachan, M., Green, H., Kalbeitzer, R., Goldstein, N. E. S., Dovido Zelechoski, A., Serico, J., Zelle, H., Pich, M., and Fass, T. L. (2007, June). Cognitive Changes in Legal Learning.  Presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Montréal, Canada.
  • Nabors, A., Snyder, A., Wolbransky, M., Erickson, J., Finello, C., Pich, M., Fass, T., and Heilbrun, K. (2006, March). The Effects of Formal and Informal Coercion on Managing Risk for Violence in the Community. Presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychology-Law Society, Saint Petersburg, FL.
  • Fass, T. L., Fretz, R., Scarafile, S., Smith, R., Erickson, J., Wolbransky, M., and Heilbrun, K. (2005, August). The Relationship Between Criminogenic Variables and Rearrest. Presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D. C.
  • Fass, T. L., Fretz, R., Smith, R., Scarafile, S., Reynolds, A., Erickson, J., and Heilbrun, K. (2005, August). The COMPAS and the LSI-R: Additional Data on Two Risk-Needs Tools. Presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D. C.
  • Wolbransky, M., Fass, T., and Heilbrun, K. (2005, April). The Level of Service Inventory Revised and offender recidivism: Predictive validity in a U.S. urban cohort. Presented at Research Day, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Fass, T. L., Heilbrun, K., Fretz, R., and Mackey, R. (2004, June). The COMPAS and the LSI-R: Predictive Validity of Two Risk-Needs Tools. Presented at the 4th Annual Conference of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Fass, T. L., Heilbrun, K., and Fretz, R. (2003, August). The COMPAS: Validation data on a risk/needs tool. Accepted, but not presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (SARS epidemic-related travel advisory).
  • Fass, T. L., Heilbrun, K. and Fretz, R. (2003, July). The LSI-R: Validation data on a risk/needs tool. Presented at the APLS/EAPL Psychology and Law International, Interdisciplinary Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Hammond, T. R., Gillis, J., Fass, T., Sowle, S., Zahirsky, B., Agoglia, L., and Romanczyk, R. G. (2000, October). Teaching Language to Children with P.D.D.: Encouraging Undergraduate Professional Development. Presented at the 10th Annual Convention of the New York Association for Behavior Analysis, Saratoga, NY.
    Valluripalli, L., Arnstein, L. M., Hammond, T. R., Sowle, S., Fass, T., and Romanczyk, R. (2000, May). A Review of Popular Autism Literature and Resources for Parents and Professionals. Presented at the 26th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Washington, D.C.

Selected Workshops and Invited Lectures

  • Fass, T. L. (2023, January). Science in the Courtroom: Eyewitnesses to Crimes and Accidents. Medway Middle School, Medway, MA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2023, April). Careers in Forensic Psychology, Corrections, and Criminal Justice. Boston University, Boston, MA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2023, March). Careers in Forensic Psychology, Corrections, and Criminal Justice. Regis University, Weston, MA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2023, March). Careers in Forensic Psychology, Corrections, and Criminal Justice. Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ.
  • Fass, T. L. (2022, Spring). Careers in Forensic, Correctional, and Police Psychology [panelist]. Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.
  • Fass, T. L. (2020, September). Careers in Forensic Psychology, Corrections, and Criminal Justice. Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ.
  • Fass, T. L. (2014, Spring). Is Orange the New Black? Working with Incarcerated Female Offenders. California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International Univeristy, Alhambra, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2013, Spring). Careers in Forensic Psychology. California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2010, Spring). Careers in Forensic Psychology. Whittier College, Whittier, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2010, Spring). APA Writing Workshop. Alliant International University, Alhambra, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2009, Spring). Insanity and Competency to Stand Trial. California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2009, Spring). CBT and ACT for Psychosis. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2009, Spring). Capital Punishment. California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2008, Spring). Forensic Assessment: Juvenile Waiver. Child and Family Guidance Center, Northridge, CA.
  • Fass, T. L. (2007, Fall). Careers in Forensic Psychology. Villanova University, Villanova, PA.

Prior Experience

  • Program Director, California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS), Alliant International University, Los Angeles and Irvine
  • Associate Professor, CSFS, Alliant International University at Los Angeles
  • Post-doctoral Fellow, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Century Regional Detention Facility
  • Adjunct Professor, Temple University
  • Adjunct Professor, Drexel University

Professional Affiliations

  • Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
  • Society for the Teaching of Psychology
  • American Psychology-Law Society
  • American Psychological Association
  • National Register of Health Service Psychologists

Community Involvement

  • Pro bono ethical consultation to practitioners
  • Pro bono statistical consultation
  • Education and Training Committee, Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
  • Faculty Mentor, Society for the Teaching of Psychology
  • Member, Psychologists Against Racism Book Club
  • Facebook Coordinator, Society for the Teaching of Psychology
  • Member, AP-LS Social Media Committee
  • Chairperson, AP-LS Social Media Committee
  • Member, Institutional Review Board, DF Consulting
  • Member, AP-LS Mobile App Development Team
  • Mentor, AP-LS, Mentorship Committee
  • Member, AP-LS Dissertation Award Committee
  • Proposal reviewer, American Psychology-Law Society Annual Conference
  • Proposal reviewer, American Psychological Association Annual Convention (Div. 41 programming)
  • Ad hoc reviewer, Bullfrog Films, Like Any Other Kid (documentary)
  • Manuscript reviewer, Law and Human Behavior
  • Manuscript reviewer, Criminal Justice and Behavior
  • Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
  • Manuscript reviewer, Psychological Assessment
  • Prospectus reviewer, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing