Forensic Psychiatry
Arwen Podesta, MD, DFAPA, DFASAM
Dr. Podesta is board certified in Forensic Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and completed her forensic psychiatry fellowship at Tulane University. She brings clinical depth to the intersection of medicine, law, and policy. She provides clear, objective psychiatric evaluation and testimony for attorneys, courts, and legal teams.
Her additional board certification in Addiction Medicine gives her particular expertise in cases where substance use and mental health intersect.
Contact
Areas of Expertise
- Civil and criminal matters
- Substance use and addiction
- Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
- Fitness for duty evaluations
- Wrongful death
- Interdictions (guardianship)
- Psychiatric evaluation and case review
- Expert testimony
Qualified as an Expert Witness
Dr. Podesta has been qualified as an expert in the following courts. Testimony list available upon request. Get in touch →
Louisiana
- Orleans Parish Criminal District Court
- Jefferson Parish Criminal District Court
- Lincoln Parish Criminal District Court
- Ouachita Parish Criminal District Court
- Feliciana Parish District Court
- Avoyelles Parish District Court
Other States
- Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona
- Superior Court of Glynn County, Georgia
- Rankin County Justice Court, Mississippi
Forensic Background
- Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry, Tulane University
- Former Forensic Psychiatrist, New Orleans Coroner's Office
- Former Sanity Commission member, Orleans Criminal Court
- Founder and Chair, New Orleans Forensic Mental Health Coalition (2014–2016)
- Former Faculty, Tulane Law Clinic, "Psychiatry and the Law"
