Annette Ermshar, Ph.D., MSCP, ABPP

Professional Biography

Annette Ermshar, Ph.D., MSCP, ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY 18549), and Michigan (6301019154) with specialization in neuropsychology and forensic psychology.  Dr. Ermshar received her doctorate in clinical psychology at Loma Linda University, an American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited Doctoral Training Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed an APA Accredited predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at Hutchings Psychiatric Hospital, a state hospital in New York.  She received specialized training in Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse disorders, child/adolescent development, schizophrenia, dual diagnosis, neuropsychology, and forensic psychology. Dr. Ermshar completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Forensic Psychology at Patton State Hospital, the largest forensic state hospital in California. She has also completed a Postdoctoral Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology at California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. Dr. Ermshar is Board Certified in Forensic Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and is one of less than 300 ABPP Diplomates in Forensic Psychology in the United States. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP) and a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Previously Dr. Ermshar was an Associate Professor at the California School of Forensic Studies at Alliant International University, where she taught doctoral level students studying clinical forensic psychology. Dr. Ermshar was also on the Panel of Medical Experts for San Bernardino County Juvenile Court. Dr. Ermshar is on the medical staff of a psychiatric hospitals (Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena), and is also at a general medical/surgical hospital with a psychiatric facility (Huntington Hospital in Pasadena). Dr. Ermshar has previously acted as the Clerkship/Practicum Training Director at Patton State Hospital, where she trained and supervised doctoral candidates in clinical and forensic psychology.  She was on the medical staff at Patton State Hospital for over 14 years, providing clinical treatment for severe psychiatric illnesses as well as psycholegal treatment for issues such as restoration of competency to stand trial, restoration of sanity, and reduction of risk for recidivism. Dr. Ermshar was on the advisory board of G8Check. This large-scale corporation is an agency that assists companies in the music and entertainment industries with developing and executing a health and safety plan for cast and crew members on projects. Additionally, Dr. Ermshar was the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of PCH Pasadena, which provides in-residence and partial hospitalization treatment for individuals with serious mental illnesses.

Dr. Ermshar specializes in forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and clinical/diagnostic psychological assessment and evaluation. She has given numerous invited addresses, seminars, and workshops to psychologists and attorneys and is published in the area of forensic psychology. Dr. Ermshar has served as an expert witness in numerous court cases within Federal Court, California Superior Courts, and California Juvenile Courts. Her consultation and expert testimony experience includes addressing legal questions pertinent to mental disability, competence to stand trial, mental state at the time of offense, risk assessment, developmental disorders, neuropsychological functioning, cognitive ability, psychological/emotional damages, sex offenses, syndrome evidence, memory and suggestibility, and various other criminal and civil forensic evaluations. Dr. Ermshar is an expert in alternative sentencing and provides court-mandated treatment (i.e., treatment for restoration of competency to stand trial, managing behaviors for risk reduction, sex-offender-specific treatment) in an alternative sentence treatment-based environment.

Dr. Ermshar also provides psychotherapy and specializes in the treatment of individuals in the corporate and entertainment industries, bipolar and psychotic spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, gambling, sexual addictions, and other behavioral addictions, personality disorders (including antisocial and borderline personality disorders), autism spectrum disorders, and adolescent development.

As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Ermshar conducts both adult and child/adolescent neuropsychological, educational, and cognitive evaluations to assist in Individual Education Program (IEP) needs, neuropsychological treatment, and diagnostic clarification of neurodevelopmental issues. She also conducts two specialized neurocognitive therapies: cognitive rehabilitation (cognitive retraining) and neurofeedback.

Dr. Ermshar has also provided numerous seminars, workshops, and trainings for the entertainment industry on issues related to mental health. She has been an expert consultant in television and media with guest appearances for Warner Bros. Television and CU@USC. She has also served as a consultant/expert for Fox News Television and provides consultation to screenwriters and producers in motion picture and television on the topics of mental health, neuropsychology, and the criminal mind.

Dr. Ermshar is currently on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Opera, Pasadena Symphony & Pops, Adventist Health Glendale – Medical Center Governing Board, The Blue Ribbon of the LA Music Center, and Art Center 100. She is also a member of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Twilight Club of Pasadena.