Clinical and forensic psychology

Nexus Psychology, Inc. specializes in forensic psychological evaluation, consultation, and expert witness testimony. We also offer private diagnostic evaluations for autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Todos nuestros servicios de evaluación están disponibles en español.

• (925) 252-5224
• admin@nexuspsy.com
• www.nexuspsy.com

Dr. Sudhanva Rajagopal

CA Lic.# PSY32089 | OR Lic.# 3657

Founder | Forensic Director

Dr. Sudhanva Rajagopal is a California- and Oregon-licensed psychologist specializing in forensic psychological and neuropsychological assessment. He has served as an expert (defense, prosecution, plaintiff, and court appointed) for state and federal criminal and civil proceedings in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Illinois. In that capacity, he has completed hundreds of forensic evaluations addressing a range of psycholegal issues. As an expert witness, Dr. Rajagopal routinely provides testimony on the brain's threat response, the neuropsychology of complex trauma and psychosis, violence and sexual offending risk, and adjudicative competence.Before entering independent practice, Dr. Rajagopal provided English- and Spanish-language clinical services in a variety of correctional and forensic settings (i.e., jails, prisons, state hospitals), where he gained experience in the evaluation of correctional suicide risk; violence risk; psychopathy; trial competency; malingering; and the complex interaction of co-occurring mental disorders (e.g., brain injury, psychosis, PTSD, substance use).Dr. Rajagopal is currently a professor of clinical psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, where he teaches doctoral-level courses in psychopathology and diagnosis, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and biological bases of behavior.In addition to teaching and clinical practice, Dr. Rajagopal serves as an expert reviewer for the California Board of Psychology's Enforcement Program, where he assists the California Attorney General's Office and the Board by reviewing case materials and providing expert opinions on psychologist and neuropsychologist standard of care issues.Dr. Rajagopal also conducts psychosexual and violence risk evaluations for the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision to assist in determining parole-eligible prisoners' suitability for release.

sr@nexuspsy.com | CV available upon request

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Dr. Natalie Rajagopal

CA Lic.# PSY29667

Forensic Psychologist

Dr. Natalie Rajagopal is a California-licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. She specializes in diagnostic and forensic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder), severe mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorders, schizophrenia), and trauma-related disorders (e.g., PTSD).As a diagnostic evaluator for Catalight Care Services–a leading organization focused on autism diagnosis and treatment–Dr. Rajagopal evaluates neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan. She is certified in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a "gold standard" autism assessment tool. In forensic practice, Dr. Rajagopal specializes in the evaluation of complex, co-occurring mental disorders such as schizophrenia, complex PTSD, and polysubstance use.Dr. Rajagopal has also had extensive experience working with forensic inpatients at Napa State Hospital, where she has evaluated and treated individuals committed pursuant to PC § 1368/1370 (incompetent to stand trial) and PC § 1026 (not guilty by reason of insanity). She has also evaluated a diverse population of adolescents and adults on an outpatient basis.Dr. Rajagopal completed her predoctoral internship in a state prison (California Medical Facility, Vacaville), where she received intensive training in suicide risk assessment, violence risk assessment, and evaluation of malingering/response bias. She has also trained in juvenile hall and post-release/rehabilitation settings.

nr@nexuspsy.com | CV available upon request

Dr. Ashley Mezzasalma

CA Lic.# PSY34770

Forensic Psychologist

Dr. Ashley Mezzasalma is a California-licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in 2016, and her B.A. with Honors in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010. Dr. Mezzasalma completed her APA-accredited psychology internship at the Integrated Health Psychology Training Program and her APA-accredited postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente, Antioch.As a Forensic Neuropsychologist, Dr. Mezzasalma has conducted comprehensive neuropsychological assessment batteries addressing complex forensic referral questions including competency to stand trial, risk evaluations, and independent medical evaluations for both adult and pediatric populations. Dr. Mezzasalma is also a certified Qualified Medical Evaluator helping to address psychological and neuropsychological concerns in the workers compensation field.Dr. Mezzasalma previously served as Assessment Program Training Director at Kaiser Permanente Richmond, where she led a program supervising postdoctoral fellows and practicum trainees. She designed and launched a specialized adult ADHD assessment clinic and successfully adapted assessment programs to virtual formats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her clinical experience spans forensic neuropsychology, disability assessment examinations, telehealth therapy, crisis intervention, and specialized treatment programs across diverse populations.

am@nexuspsy.com | CV available upon request