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Available for Expert Witness Engagements

Psychiatric expertise
built for the courtroom

Dr. Ivette Cardelli-Rosen, DNP, AFN-C, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC — a forensic psychiatric, medical, and healthcare systems consultant holding six advanced degrees and board certifications with 15 years of clinical experience, including 7 in corrections in jail and prison systems. She delivers specialized forensic psychiatric, medical, and healthcare consultation, forensic evaluation, and expert witness services — integrating behavioral health, psychotropic medication management, healthcare systems analysis, medical and psychiatric standard-of-care review, continuity-of-care assessment, and comprehensive medical record evaluation. Available for plaintiff and defense consultation nationwide.

15+
Years Clinical
7+
Years Corrections
6
Advanced Degrees
DNP
Johns Hopkins
Doctoral Degree
Executive Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP)
Johns Hopkins University
Board Certifications
AFN-C · PMHNP-BC · FNP-BC · CNE
Forensic, Psychiatric & Family Nurse Practitioner
Primary Expertise
Bipolar Disorder · Schizophrenia · Personality Disorders
Psychopharmacology · Behavioral Impact of Medications · Forensics
Expert Witness
Criminal Defense · Sentencing Mitigation
Available in person or by video
Why attorneys choose Dr. Cardelli-Rosen as an expert witness

A rare combination of clinical depth
and courtroom credibility

She prescribes the medications she testifies about
As an active prescribing psychiatric and family NP, Dr. Cardelli-Rosen understands exactly how SSRIs, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and other psychiatric medications — including non-formulary medications — affect cognition, impulse control, and behavior — not from a textbook, but from daily clinical practice.
Seven years inside corrections
She has worked directly with the population that ends up in criminal courts — inmates with serious mental illness, personality disorders, and complex psychiatric histories. This gives her an unmatched understanding of how mental illness presents under correctional conditions.
She does her own research and preparation
Dr. Cardelli-Rosen independently reviews records, conducts evaluations, and prepares thorough written reports. She does not rely on third parties to build her opinions — her testimony reflects her own clinical judgment. She digs deep into every case, leaving no detail unexamined.
Judges and juries understand her
Drawing on her years as a university professor, she translates complex psychiatric concepts — DSM criteria, medication pharmacodynamics, the neuroscience of impulse control — into clear, accessible language that resonates in the courtroom without losing scientific precision.
"
The best expert witnesses combine unimpeachable credentials with the ability to make a judge or jury believe what they already know to be true. That is a rare skill.
Approach to expert testimony
Clinical expertise includes
Bipolar I & II Schizophrenia Antisocial PD Borderline PD Major Depression Forensic Psychiatry Psychopharmacology Psychosexual Evaluations Substance Abuse Evaluations Malingering Schizoaffective
Forensic, medical & healthcare services

What Dr. Cardelli-Rosen offers

A comprehensive range of forensic psychiatric, medical, and healthcare consultation services — from initial case review through expert witness testimony — available for plaintiff and defense engagements nationwide.

01
Psychiatric Forensic Evaluations
Comprehensive forensic psychiatric evaluations for criminal and civil proceedings, including competency, mental state, and behavioral causation assessments.
CriminalCivilFederal
02
Correctional Medical & Mental Health Consultation
Specialized consultation on psychiatric and medical care delivery, treatment standards, and behavioral health systems within correctional settings — informed by seven years of direct corrections practice.
CorrectionsSystems
03
Expert Witness Testimony
Live courtroom and deposition testimony on psychiatric diagnoses, behavioral causation, medication effects, and standard-of-care issues. Calm and composed under cross-examination, she delivers clear, credible testimony — and stays steady when the courtroom doesn't.
TrialDeposition
04
Psychiatric Medication Review
Detailed analysis of psychotropic medication regimens, prescribing decisions, drug interactions, and behavioral effects — drawing on active prescribing experience.
PsychopharmacologyPrescribing
05
Medical & Psychiatric Record Review
Comprehensive record review and chronology development — synthesizing medical, psychiatric, and correctional records into a clear, defensible clinical timeline.
ChronologyRecords
06
Standard-of-Care Review
Independent psychiatric and medical standard-of-care analysis for malpractice, negligence, and quality-of-care matters across hospital, behavioral health, and correctional settings.
MalpracticeNegligence
07
Behavioral Health Continuity Assessment
Assessment of continuity of care across treatment settings, transitions, and providers — identifying gaps that may contribute to clinical or legal outcomes.
ContinuityCare Transitions
08
Affidavit & Report Preparation
Thorough, defensible written expert reports and sworn affidavits — written to be clear for judges and juries and to hold up under cross-examination.
Written OpinionAffidavit
09
Criminal & Civil Litigation & Mitigation Support
Full-spectrum litigation support across criminal defense, prosecution-side, plaintiff, and defense civil matters — from case viability through trial.
CriminalCivilPlaintiffDefense
10
Attorney Consultation
Early-stage consultation to help attorneys understand whether a psychiatric defense, mitigation argument, or standard-of-care claim has merit — and what records or evaluations will be needed.
Early StageStrategy

Areas of expertise

The full breadth of evaluation, review, and consultation services Dr. Cardelli-Rosen provides across forensic, clinical, and healthcare systems matters.

Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations Mental Health Evaluations (MHEs) Substance Abuse Evaluations Psychosexual Evaluations (select cases) Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment Psychotropic Medication Management & Review Medical & Psychiatric Standard-of-Care Review Healthcare Systems Analysis Hospital, Behavioral Health & Correctional Chart Review Behavioral Health & Continuity-of-Care Assessment Expert Witness Consultation & Court Testimony Criminal & Civil Litigation & Mitigation Support

Rates available upon request

Rates vary depending on the services performed and the scope of the engagement. Dr. Cardelli-Rosen provides a clear written fee schedule and engagement letter at the outset of every matter, so attorneys and firms can budget with confidence.

Request Rate Sheet
Credentials & experience

Education, training, and practice

A lifetime of training across psychiatry, advanced nursing practice, and forensic science — with direct patient care experience that keeps her opinions grounded in clinical reality.

Education
DNP
Executive Doctorate in Nursing Practice
Johns Hopkins University
AFN
Advanced Forensic Nursing Degree
University of Alabama at Birmingham
MSN
Master of Science in Nursing · Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Miami
PMC
Post-Master's Certificate · Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Nova Southeastern University
CNE
Certified Nurse Educator
Johns Hopkins University
BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
University of Miami
Certifications & Licensure
PMHNP
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Board Certified
ANCC Certified · Active Florida Licensure
FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner — Board Certified
ANCC Certified · Active Florida Licensure
Clinical Experience
Psychiatric & Family Nurse Practitioner · Corrections
Palm Beach County Jail (current)
Provides psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and psychopharmacological treatment to incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness. Daily exposure to the clinical presentations most relevant to criminal forensic matters.
Forensic Psychiatric Expert Witness
Independent Practice · South Florida and Nationwide
Partners with criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors, and civil litigators across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties — and nationally. Provides evaluations, written reports, deposition testimony, and trial testimony.
Psychiatric & Family Nurse Practitioner · Community & Inpatient
Multiple clinical settings · 15 years
A rare combination of psychiatric and medical expertise — Dr. Cardelli-Rosen holds degrees and active practice in both, allowing her to bridge medical and psychiatric perspectives in a way few experts can. Her clinical experience spans hospital clinics, jail and prison systems, outpatient practices, and the courtroom — treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder, and personality disorders alongside the medical conditions that often accompany them.
The process

How an engagement works

Dr. Cardelli-Rosen takes a structured, thorough approach to every case — from initial consultation to final testimony.

01
Initial Consultation
The attorney reaches out to discuss the matter. Dr. Cardelli-Rosen reviews preliminary facts, identifies whether a forensic psychiatric expert can add value, confirms there is no conflict of interest, and outlines the scope of work, anticipated timeline, and fee structure for the engagement.
02
Records Review & Evaluation
After being retained, she conducts a comprehensive review of all relevant medical, psychiatric, correctional, educational, and background records. Where appropriate, she performs a direct clinical and forensic evaluation of the individual, administers relevant psychological or forensic screening tools, obtains collateral information from pertinent sources, and researches current literature and evidence-based standards applicable to the matter under review.
03
Written Report
A thorough, well-documented expert report presenting her findings, clinical opinions, the basis for those opinions, and references to the records and literature relied upon. Each report is written to be clear and accessible for judges and juries while remaining defensible under cross-examination — and tailored to the specific legal questions at issue.
04
Testimony
Available for deposition and trial testimony. Calm, composed, and well-prepared, Dr. Cardelli-Rosen presents complex psychiatric concepts in accessible language without sacrificing accuracy. She is experienced under direct and cross-examination and stays steady in high-pressure courtroom settings.
Based in South Florida.
Available to travel.
Regularly serves Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Available for engagements statewide and nationally, including rush and expedited work.
Home base
South Florida
Travel
Statewide & nationwide
Remote
Video available
Rush work
Available on request

Let's discuss
your case

Reach out to discuss whether Dr. Cardelli-Rosen is the right fit for your matter. Initial consultations are confidential.

For attorneys: Please include a brief summary of the matter, the type of expert opinion you are seeking, and the relevant jurisdiction.
Location
South Florida (Tri-County area) and available nationwide

Your inquiry is confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cases does Dr. Cardelli-Rosen work on?

Dr. Cardelli-Rosen works primarily on criminal matters — including criminal defense, competency to stand trial evaluations, and sentencing mitigation — as well as civil matters involving psychiatric injury or capacity. Her corrections background makes her especially effective in cases involving incarcerated or formerly incarcerated defendants.

What makes a psychiatric nurse practitioner qualified to serve as an expert witness?

A board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a doctoral degree and forensic training is fully qualified to render expert opinions on psychiatric diagnoses, medication effects, and behavioral causation. Dr. Cardelli-Rosen holds six advanced degrees and board certifications — including an Executive DNP from Johns Hopkins, an Advanced Forensic Nursing degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and dual ANCC board certifications as both a Psychiatric-Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner — combined with active prescribing practice and 15+ years of direct patient care.

How does her corrections experience help in criminal cases?

Seven years working inside correctional facilities gives Dr. Cardelli-Rosen direct clinical experience with the exact population involved in criminal proceedings. She understands how serious mental illness — bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders — presents under custodial conditions, including medication non-compliance, institutional stressors, and the impact of incarceration itself on mental state. This makes her testimony grounded in reality rather than textbook theory.

Is Dr. Cardelli-Rosen available outside of South Florida?

Yes. While she is based in South Florida and primarily serves the Tri-County area (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach), Dr. Cardelli-Rosen is available for engagements throughout Florida and nationally. Rush and expedited work is available on request. Video consultation and deposition are also available for remote matters.

What psychiatric conditions does Dr. Cardelli-Rosen have the most expertise in?

Dr. Cardelli-Rosen has deep clinical expertise in bipolar disorder (types I and II), schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other serious mental illnesses. As an active prescribing psychiatric and family nurse practitioner, she also has specialized knowledge of the psychopharmacological effects of SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and other psychiatric medications — including non-formulary medications — and how they affect cognition, impulse control, judgment, and behavior.