Cheryl Regehr

Research Synopsis

Professor Regehr’s practice background includes over 20 years of direct service in forensic social work and emergency mental health and in the administration of mental health programs, specializing in civil litigation and criminal court assessments of trauma victims and violent offenders, and organizationally based trauma interventions. She was the director of the Crisis Response Team at Pearson International Airport, served on the mental health advisory for the Department of National Defence and Veteran’s Affairs Canada, and currently is a member of the CIHR Mental Health Advisory Group for COVID-19. In 2004, she was awarded the Amicus Award by the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law for her contributions to forensic mental health.

Professor Regehr’s six books and over 150 scholarly articles focus on forensic mental health; trauma and recovery; and stress, trauma and decision-making in high stress professions. This research was has been recognized by the International Campbell Collaboration for Systematic Reviews and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Her current SSHRC funded research projects involve testing a new model for improving professional decision-making in situations of risk and uncertainty; and understanding trauma in archivists. A further project explores the impact of video evidence of violent crime on those involved in the justice system.