Renée Sorrentino, MD :: JurisPro Expert Witness Directory

Introduction

Renée Sorrentino, MD, one of the nation’s leading forensic psychiatrists, conducts evaluations and testifies in civil and criminal matters throughout New England. She holds medical licenses in California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Virginia. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Sorrentino is a board-certified, fellowship-trained forensic psychiatrist. She has experience as an expert witness on psychological damages suffered by plaintiffs, suicide, criminal and civil competencies, criminal responsibility (including experience applying New Hampshire’s Durham Rule), mitigation, malingering, disability, violence risk assessment, evaluation of individuals who sexually offend, and sexual misconduct by professionals.

Dr. Sorrentino serves as Vice President on the executive governance committee of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, a member of the Editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Associate Editor of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Newsletter, and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Sorrentino is the Medical Director of the Institution for Sexual Wellness, a Boston-based multidisciplinary psychiatric practice dedicated to the treatment and evaluation of individuals with problematic sexual behaviors. Dr. Sorrentino has been instrumental in developing the curriculum in paraphilias for six of the psychiatry residency programs in Massachusetts. Through her Board position at the Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, she oversees a clerkship for mental health professionals interested in learning about paraphilias (sexual deviations). To date, Dr. Sorrentino has trained over 20 psychiatrists in the field of paraphilias. She has also educated practicing attorneys through statewide continuing legal education seminars and through the National District Attorneys Association.

Among the forensic questions related to problematic sexual behaviors for which Dr. Sorrentino’s expertise and testimony have been sought are:
• Civil commitment of sexual offenders
• Sex offender risk assessment
• Chemical castration
• Sexually problematic behaviors in the workplace
• Sexual misconduct by physicians and other health care professionals
• Standard of care issues related to the treatment of individuals who sexually offend
• Insanity defense
• Mitigation
• Duress claims

Dr. Sorrentino completed her medical degree in an accelerated medical school program at Boston University School of Medicine. In 2002, she completed her residency education at Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals, Harvard Medical School affiliates, and in 2003, she completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Honors that Dr. Sorrentino received during her training included being selected as Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and being selected for the Jonas Rappeport Fellowship of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Dr. Sorrentino began her career as Director of Forensic Psychiatry at the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston. In this role, she provided psychiatric training to residents in forensic evaluations, including criminal and civil referrals. Her clinical focus was on individuals who had engaged in problematic sexual behaviors. Through her work with individuals who sexually offend, Dr. Sorrentino envisioned creating a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based clinic for the treatment and evaluation of these most troubled and stigmatized individuals. In 2006, she founded the Institution for Sexual Wellness in Boston. For the past 14 years, Dr. Sorrentino has provided psychiatric expertise to local and national organizations in the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of sexual violence. She lectures extensively on forensic issues, particularly on topics related to sexual offender recidivism, evaluation, and treatment.

Dr. Sorrentino has been a Forensic Psychiatry Expert with Park Dietz & Associates since 2003.

Areas of Expertise

Competency
Disability
Fitness for Duty Evaluation
Forensic Psychiatry
Malingering
Sanity/Competency to Stand Trial
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Addiction
Spousal Abuse
Stalking

Expert Background

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:: A:
• BA – Boston University, Boston, MA
• MD – Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:: A:
• American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
• American Medical Association
• American Psychiatric Association
• Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
• Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry
• Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
• Massachusetts Medical Society
• Massachusetts Psychiatric Society
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:: A:
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Part-time, Psychiatry – Harvard Medical School
• Adjunct Associate Professor, Psychiatry – University of Massachusetts Medical School

Dr. Sorrentino lectures extensively on forensic issues, particularly those related to sexual offender recidivism, evaluation, and treatment. She has trained over 20 psychiatrists in the field of paraphilias. Dr. Sorrentino has also educated practicing attorneys through statewide continuing legal education seminars and the National District Attorneys Association.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain): A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?: A: Over 1,000
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?: A: Insanity, Competency Related Abilities, Mitigation, Medical Standard of Care, Disability, Duress Claims, Psychosexual Evaluations, Guardianship, Dangerousness Evaluations, Psychological Damages, Correctional Related Care, Gender Dysphoria/Care of Incarcerated Transgender Individuals, Sexual Harassment, Impaired Physicians
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?: A: Testimony list available upon request
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?: A: Testimony list available upon request
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?: A: Approximately 10
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?: A: 3/2024
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?: A: Over 100
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?: A: Testimony list available upon request
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?: A: 21 years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.): A: Evaluation, Consulting, Testimony
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?: A: Hourly rates are the same for all activities and are available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?: A: Hourly rates are the same for all activities and are available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?: A: Hourly rates are the same for all activities and are available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?: A: Hourly rates are the same for all activities and are available on request.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.): A: Travel expenses and other expenses specified in the engagement letter or contract.

References

Available Upon Request