About
Our approach at Witcher and Associates is holistic, based on empirical knowledge and years of forensic experience. We are committed to providing psychological opinions that are credible and unbiased.
While remaining neutral, we embody the basic tenets of clinicians, empathy and viewing each case through an individual lens which helps us to form opinions that are of the utmost of importance in the legal realm.
Combined, our staff have over 20 years of experience in the fields of forensic psychology, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and forensic-clinical social work. We offer a variety of evaluations for civil and criminal proceedings, mitigation reports, sexual and violence risk assessments, and neuropsychological evaluations.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
ADULT EVALUATIONS
Adjudicative Competency
- Competence to Proceed
- Competence to Testify
- Waiver of Miranda & other Rights
Capital/Death Penalty Litigation
- Consultation
- Competency Issues
- Diagnostic Considerations
- Mitigation Assistance
Criminal Responsibility & Diminished Capacity
- Application/appropriateness of defense(s)
- Consultation
- Competency Issues
- Diagnostic Considerations
- Mitigation Assistance
Risk
- Compliance with Conditions of Community Supervision
- Sexual & Violence Recidivism
Sentencing
- Diagnosis & Amenability to Treatment
- Mitigation
- Treatment/Placement Recommendations
CIVIL LITIGATION
- Guardianship
- Mental Injury/Emotional Distress
- Workman’s Compensation
JUVENILE EVALUATIONS
Adjudicative Competency
- Competence to Proceed
- Competence to Testify
- Waiver of Miranda & other Rights
Certification/Transfer to Adult Court
- Developmental Maturity & Sophistication
- Treatment Needs & Amenability to Rehabilitation
Risk
- Compliance with Conditions of Community Supervision
- Sexual & Violence Recidivism
Sentencing
- Diagnosis & Amenability to Treatment
- Mitigation
- Treatment/Placement Recommendations
OUR ASSOCIATES
Lisa Witcher, Psy.D.
Lisa Witcher, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Kansas and Missouri. She specializes in forensic and correctional psychology, with experience in civil and criminal forensic evaluation. Dr. Witcher completed her education and training in Kentucky, California, and Missouri. She was a Certified Forensic Examiner with the Missouri Department of Mental Health for a decade.
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Presently, Dr. Witcher completes risk evaluations of incarcerated individuals for the Kansas Department of Corrections. She began her solo private practice in 2010, and established Witcher & Associates in 2023 to offer a broader array of services to the community. As the founder of Witcher & Associates, Dr. Witcher conducts psychological evaluations of legally involved clients, offers consultation to attorneys, and provides expert testimony. She has appeared in court as an expert witness over 60 times, and in front of over a dozen juries throughout the course of her career. She additionally supervises interns, consults with other professionals, and oversees general business operations.
Tiffany Harrop, Ph.D.
Tiffany Harrop, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Missouri and holds PSYPACT authority to provide interjurisdictional telepsychology in 43 states and the District of Columbia. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Southern Mississippi; her doctoral internship at the Center for Behavioral Medicine; and her postdoctoral fellowship in forensic psychology at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Community and Public Safety Psychiatry Division.
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Dr. Harrop served as a Certified Forensic Examiner for the Missouri Department of Mental Health at minimum- and maximum-security hospitals. At Witcher & Associates, she focuses on forensic evaluations, expert testimony, and consultation on psycho-legal matters. Dr. Harrop has testified as an expert about issues ranging from juvenile certification to contested competency to proceed in five bench trials. She also owns a private therapy practice.
Debra O’Connell, Ph.D., ABPP
Debra O’Connell, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist who is licensed in Missouri and Nebraska and is certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) in Clinical Neuropsychology. She completed her education and training in Washington and Nebraska. Her clinical interests include memory disorders, movement disorders, and somatoform/functional disorders.
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Dr. O’Connell’s research interests are psychopathic personality traits, executive functions, and inter-rater reliability. She is employed as a neuropsychologist with the Veterans Health Administration, and she also operates Heartland Neuropsychology, LLC. At Witcher & Associates, Dr. O’Connell conducts neuropsychological evaluations, has experience providing testimony, and offers case consultation and intern supervision.
Kelsey Parker, LCSW
Kelsey Parker, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas, Missouri, and New York. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in legal issues as well as a master’s degree in social work. Ms. Parker was a social worker/multidisciplinary team leader on the first forensic competency restoration unit at the Center for Behavioral Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri.
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In New York, Ms. Parker worked with individuals who were on probation or parole for sexual offenses and then with the Veterans Health Administration. As a forensic social worker, Ms. Parker has experience testifying in criminal and civil court regarding mitigation and guardianship. At Witcher & Associates, Ms. Parker conducts life history investigations and provides recommendations related to treatment and placement. Additionally, she supports intern activities as well as business administrative operations. Ms. Parker also has a private telehealth therapy practice.
Kathleen (Kathi) Smith, Ph.D.
Kathleen (Kathi) Smith, Ph.D., is a Missouri-licensed clinical psychologist with specialized expertise in forensic psychology. She completed training in Illinois, Idaho, and Wisconsin. Dr. Smith finished her licensure requirements through the forensic postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Behavioral Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Dr. Smith practiced as a forensic evaluator at Bridgewater State Hospital/Wellpath in Bridgewater, Massachusetts before moving back to Kansas City. She currently serves as Director of Forensic Services at the Center for Behavioral Medicine and as a Certified Forensic Examiner for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. At Witcher & Associates, Dr. Smith provides psychological evaluations for adults and adolescents, with particular expertise in psychosexual risk evaluations. She has appeared in court as an expert over 25 times. Dr. Smith provides expert testimony as well as psycholegal consultation to attorneys and other professionals.
Katherine Perkins, B.A.
Katherine (Katie) Perkins, B.A., earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kansas. Prior to joining Witcher & Associates as an intern in July 2025, she gained valuable experience as a student observer at the KU Cancer Center Onco-Psychology Program, St. Luke’s Health System, and North Kansas City Hospice Center.
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She is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Kansas City University. Katie quickly became a valued member of our team and will continue contributing to Witcher & Associates throughout her graduate training.