https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-rss/?title=Latest%20News&orgId=109839 A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Division of Law and Psychiatry en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:49:58 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/yale-study-higher-drinking-frequency-corresponds-to-lower-synaptic-density-in-people-with-alcohol-use-disorder/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/yale-study-higher-drinking-frequency-corresponds-to-lower-synaptic-density-in-people-with-alcohol-use-disorder/ People who suffer from clinical alcohol use disorder are causing more damage to their brains the more they drink, according to a new Yale study in Journal of Clinical Investigation. Yasmin Zakiniaeiz, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, is the paper’s first author. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:00:00 Z https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5601929/hipaa-protects-patient-privacy-but-some-say-it-shuts-out-caregivers https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5601929/hipaa-protects-patient-privacy-but-some-say-it-shuts-out-caregivers Charles C. Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry and CEO of the Connecticut Mental Health Center, spoke about HIPAA, the federal law that protects patient privacy, in an interview with NPR. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 Z https://www.npr.org/2025/12/10/nx-s1-5601929-e1/hipaa-protects-patient-privacy-but-some-say-it-shuts-out-caregivers https://www.npr.org/2025/12/10/nx-s1-5601929-e1/hipaa-protects-patient-privacy-but-some-say-it-shuts-out-caregivers The federal HIPAA law protects patient privacy, but experts like Charles Dike, MD, say it can shut out family members trying to help relatives who are experiencing mental health crises. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/mckee-awarded-orwhniaaa-grant/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/mckee-awarded-orwhniaaa-grant/ The Office of Research on Women’s Health and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has awarded a U54 Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) grant to the Yale-SCORE investigative team. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-appointed-ceo-of-connecticut-mental-health-center/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-appointed-ceo-of-connecticut-mental-health-center/ Charles Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry, has been appointed chief executive officer of the Connecticut Mental Health Center. His appointment will take effect October 1, 2025. In his new role, Dike will also serve as deputy chair for state affairs for the Yale Department of Psychiatry. Mon, 28 Jul 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/alcohol-use-women-health-consequences-followed-rcna220249 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/alcohol-use-women-health-consequences-followed-rcna220249 Sherry McKee, PhD, Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry, spoke to NBC News about the increase in alcohol use among women. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/5-yale-psychiatry-affiliates-elected-officers-of-connecticut-psychiatric-society/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/5-yale-psychiatry-affiliates-elected-officers-of-connecticut-psychiatric-society/ Six affiliates of the Yale Department of Psychiatry have been elected officers of the Connecticut Psychiatric Society. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202505/women-with-alcohol-use-disorder-have-a-different-disease https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-outlook/202505/women-with-alcohol-use-disorder-have-a-different-disease Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry who leads the Yale-SCORE on Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, spoke to Psychology Today about how alcohol affects women differently than men. Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/women-alcohol-use-health-risks-86999148?st=MyoBKL&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/women-alcohol-use-health-risks-86999148?st=MyoBKL&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Yale SCORE Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, spoke to The Wall Street Journal about data that shows increased alcohol consumption among women. Wed, 14 May 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/abdelnour-burke-hicks-chosen-for-ysms-2025-26-education-scholar-fellowship/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/abdelnour-burke-hicks-chosen-for-ysms-2025-26-education-scholar-fellowship/ Elie Abdelnour, MD; Catherine Burke, PsyD; and Adrienne Hicks, MD, PhD, assistant professors of psychiatry, have been invited to participate in the 2025-26 Education Scholar Fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/education-scholar-fellowship-welcomes-2025-2026-fellows/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/education-scholar-fellowship-welcomes-2025-2026-fellows/ The Center for Medical Education has announced sixteen new fellows to participate in the Education Scholar Fellowship for 2025-2026. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 04:00:00 Z https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39164044/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39164044/ Extreme risk protection order laws -- so called "red flag laws" -- in Connecticut, California, Maryland, and Washington are effective suicide prevention tools, according to a study published in Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law and co-authored by Reena Kapoor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, and Michael Norko, MD, MA, professor of psychiatry, and colleagues. Mon, 02 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-named-recipient-of-apas-2025-chester-m-pierce-human-rights-award/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-named-recipient-of-apas-2025-chester-m-pierce-human-rights-award/ Charles Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry of the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Law and Psychiatry Division, has been named the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and APA Foundation’s 2025 Chester M. Pierce Human Rights Award. Mon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/well/eat/moderate-alcohol-drinking-definition.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/10/well/eat/moderate-alcohol-drinking-definition.html Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Yale Program for Sex Differences in Alcohol Use Disorder, spoke to The New York Times for a story about what it means to drink in moderation. Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/kapoor-appointed-director-of-the-law-and-psychiatry-division/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/kapoor-appointed-director-of-the-law-and-psychiatry-division/ Reena Kapoor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, has been appointed director of the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Law Psychiatry Division effective Nov. 1, 2024. Thu, 26 Sep 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/yale-conference-for-alcohol-research-and-education-2024-call-for-abstracts/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/yale-conference-for-alcohol-research-and-education-2024-call-for-abstracts/ The Yale Conference for Alcohol Research and Education (YCARE) 2024 will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The event is a dynamic day of learning, interaction, and collaboration focused on the theme of alcohol research. This year’s in-person event will feature podium talks, breakout sessions, a panel discussion, poster presentations, and more avenues to learn from and network with colleagues. Mon, 23 Sep 2024 04:00:00 Z https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/health/gamers-twitch-mental-health.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/health/gamers-twitch-mental-health.html Did Dr. Alok Kanojia's livestreamed conversations with a troubled video game champion cross an ethical line?Article quotes Charles Dike of Psychiatry (pictured). Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:00 Z https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/17/opinion/wellpath-vitalcore-prison-health-care/ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/17/opinion/wellpath-vitalcore-prison-health-care/ Reena Kapoor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, is referenced in a Boston Globe story about the effort in Massachusetts to monitor health care and mental health services in the state's prisons. Kapoor is an independent monitor who twice yearly assesses mental health services provided by the Massachusetts Correction Department. Thu, 23 May 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/wasser-zhong-edit-psychiatry-and-the-law-second-edition/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/wasser-zhong-edit-psychiatry-and-the-law-second-edition/ Tobias Wasser, MD, associate professor adjunct of psychiatry, and Rocksheng Zhong, MD, MHS, lecturer in psychiatry, are co-editors of the book, “Psychiatry and the Law, Second Edition.” Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-new-president-of-american-academy-of-psychiatry-and-the-law/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-new-president-of-american-academy-of-psychiatry-and-the-law/ Charles Dike, MD, MPH, professor of psychiatry and co-director of the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Law and Psychiatry Division, is the new president of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL). Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/alcohol-research-conference-fosters-collaboration-across-specialties/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/alcohol-research-conference-fosters-collaboration-across-specialties/ Now in its second year, the Yale Conference for Alcohol Research and Education (YCARE) was held on September 30, 2023. Offering a comprehensive agenda of talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations, the all-day event brought together Yale's researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders under the banner of alcohol research. Bubu Banini, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine (digestive diseases), Yale School of Medicine (YSM), spearheaded the conference, along with co-directors David Fiellin, MD, professor of medicine (general medicine) and emergency medicine, YSM, and public health, Yale School of Public Health; Graeme Mason, PhD, professor of radiology and biomedical imaging and of psychiatry, YSM; and Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry, YSM. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/cipriano-delivers-opening-plenary-keynote-at-2023-women-influence-and-power-in-law-conference/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/cipriano-delivers-opening-plenary-keynote-at-2023-women-influence-and-power-in-law-conference/ Traci Cipriano, PhD, JD, assistant clinical professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Law and Psychiatry Division, gave the Opening Plenary Keynote at the 3-Day 2023 Women, Influence and Power in Law Conference in New Orleans on October 17. Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/mckee-serves-on-samhsa-technical-advisory-panel/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/mckee-serves-on-samhsa-technical-advisory-panel/ Sherry McKee, PhD, professor of psychiatry, served on a technical advisory panel for a new guide for best practices for re-entry for people with mental health and substance use issues. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/american-psychological-association-elects-cipriano-to-fellow-status/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/american-psychological-association-elects-cipriano-to-fellow-status/ Traci Cipriano, PhD, JD, assistant clinical professor in the Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Law and Psychiatry Division, was elected to Fellow status in the American Psychological Association (APA) in August. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/2023-residency-commencement-ceremony/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/2023-residency-commencement-ceremony/ The Yale Department of Psychiatry honored its 2023 class of residents and fellows, as well as faculty and staff, at its annual commencement ceremonies last month. The Residency Commencement Ceremony was held on June 15 at the New Haven Lawn Club. The Fellowship Commencement Ceremony was held virtually over Zoom on June 16. The events marked the graduation of 23 residents and 22 fellows. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/cipriano-authors-the-thriving-lawyer-a-multidimensional-model-of-well-being-for-a-sustainable-legal-profession/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/cipriano-authors-the-thriving-lawyer-a-multidimensional-model-of-well-being-for-a-sustainable-legal-profession/ Traci Cipriano, PhD, JD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, is author of the new book “The Thriving Lawyer: A Multidimensional Model of Well-Being for a Sustainable Legal Profession.” Thu, 06 Jul 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/kapoor-dhmas-director-forensic-services/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/kapoor-dhmas-director-forensic-services/ Reena Kapoor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and program director of the forensic psychiatry fellowship at Yale School of Medicine, has been named director of forensic services in the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Fri, 16 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/racing-to-solve-rare-diseases/ https://medicine.yale.edu/ysm/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/racing-to-solve-rare-diseases/ Institutional support encourages researchers and clinicians to diagnose and treat rare diseases. Mon, 22 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.20220525 https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.20220525 Charles Dike, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, is co-author of a review article in Psychiatric Services in Advance that highlights several ethical issues that psychiatrists may face regarding psychedelic therapies in clinical practice. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-appointed-to-samhsas-center-for-mental-health-services-national-advisory-council/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/dike-appointed-to-samhsas-center-for-mental-health-services-national-advisory-council/ Charles Dike, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, has been appointed a special government employee to serve on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services National Advisory Council (CMHS NAC). Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/norko-stepping-down-from-dmhas-post/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/norko-stepping-down-from-dmhas-post/ Michael Norko MD, MAR, professor of psychiatry, will step down from his position as director of forensic services for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) effective June 30. Wed, 25 Jan 2023 04:00:00 Z https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/us-attorneys-office-announces-agreement-massachusetts-department-correction-address https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/us-attorneys-office-announces-agreement-massachusetts-department-correction-address Reena Kapoor, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, has been named independent monitor to ensure compliance with a legal agreement in Massachusetts to resolve an investigation into the treatment of incarcerated people with acute mental health issues. Thu, 22 Dec 2022 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/prabhu-named-chief-of-consulting-forensic-psychiatrists-service-for-dmhas/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/prabhu-named-chief-of-consulting-forensic-psychiatrists-service-for-dmhas/ Maya Prabhu, MD, LLB, associate professor of psychiatry and associate professor adjunct of law, has been appointed chief of the Consulting Forensic Psychiatrists Service for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/bryant-prabhu-named-associate-program-directors-for-forensic-psychiatry-fellowship/ https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/law/news-article/bryant-prabhu-named-associate-program-directors-for-forensic-psychiatry-fellowship/ Paul Bryant, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry, and Maya Prabhu, MD, LLB, associate professor of psychiatry, have been named associate program directors for the Law Psychiatry Division's Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:00:00 Z