About Dr. Donnelly

Dr. Donnelly is a licensed Vermont School Psychologist and a Vermont Board of Psychological Examiner’s Licensed Psychologist with forty years experience working in mental health. He is licensed as a psychologist in New Jersey and Florida as well. He offers a range of comprehensive Forensic, Psycho-Educational, School, and Psychological Evaluation Services to individuals, families, attorneys, juvenile and adult courts, school districts and supervisory unions, and public and private sector agencies related to referral inquiries.

Due to time sensitivities of some evaluation referrals, Dr. Donnelly offers weekend and evening availability and frequently travels to accommodate the needs of those being evaluated. He is recognized as producing empirically sound, individualized, and objective findings that are delivered to youth and adults via a culturally competent, ethical, and humane manner. Depending on the nature of the referral, evaluations are performed remotely, in-person, or via a hybrid model of both.

He is often requested to offer expert witness testimony in State and Federal Courts. Dr. Donnelly’s areas of expertise include:

  • Adoption Consultation
  • Attachment Evaluation
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Evaluation
  • Competency Evaluation of Juveniles and Adults
  • Consultative Examinations for Disability Determination Services (DDS)
  • Criminal Responsibility Evaluation (Sanity) of Juveniles and Adults
  • Family Evaluation including Parenting Capacity Evaluation
  • Fitness for Duty Evaluation related to Employment (e.g., military, private and public sector, public safety, etc.)
  • Guardianship Evaluation
  • Independent Medical (Psychological) Examinations
  • Juvenile Placement and Treatment Evaluation
  • Malingering
  • Miranda Warning Evaluation
  • Psycho-educational Evaluation for 504 Accommodations or IEP Eligibility
  • Psychosexual Evaluation of Juveniles and Adults
  • Risk, Threat, and Safety Evaluation of Juveniles and Adults
  • School-based Neuropsychological Evaluation
  • Substance Use and Dependence Evaluation
  • Trauma Evaluation and Consultation

Prior to becoming a Licensed Psychologist (1995), Dr. Donnelly was employed in mental health for fourteen years, nine of those years as a child abuse investigator for Vermont’s first specialized investigative unit. In this capacity he conducted forensic interviews with youth, attended professional development conferences, and testified in court. He was also an assistant residential program manager for youth in a therapeutic treatment program (NFI Vermont), a counselor for youth in secure treatment (Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center), as well as a therapeutic foster parent providing in-home care to youth with developmental trauma, extensive mental health needs, and behavioral challenges. He spent four years in the military (US Navy), was honorably discharged and received several medals  (referenced in Curriculum Vitae).

Dr. Donnelly and his partner of thirty-five years have raised three adult children. During his leisure time, he participates in age-group Senior Olympic track & field events, Concept II ergometer rowing, cycling, ocean kayaking, and trail running. He has coached recreational and competitive youth sports for many years and  volunteered as a throwing coach in track & field for middle school athletes and men’s high school  basketball team.

Degrees:

    • Ph.D.  University of Vermont, Psychology (1996)
    • M.S.  University of Vermont, Psychology (1994)
    • M.A.  University of Vermont, Public Administration (1991)
    • B.S.   Norwich University (1987)

Active Affiliations/Memberships/Certifications:

    • American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABSNP) – Diplomate
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, Trained in ADI & ADOS-II
    • American Psychological Association (APA) – Member
    • APA Division 16, School Psychology – Member
    • APA Division 41, American Psychology-Law Society – Member
    • APA Division 47, Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology – Member
    • APA Division 50, Society of Addiction Psychology – Member
    • APA Division 56, Trauma Psychology – Member
    • Certificate of Proficiency  in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders, American Psychological Association Practice Organization-APA discontinued Proficiency Program in 2018
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – Trained and Certified (Level 2)
    • Hare Psychopathy Checklist Examiner Certification
    • National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals – Master Addiction Counselor
    • The Child Trauma Academy, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), Phase 1 Trained/Certified, Phase II: Train the Trainer Trained/Certified
  • Vermont Association of School Psychologists (VASP) –  Ethics Committee Member
  • Vermont Board of Psychological Examiner’s Licensed Psychologist (#678)
  • Vermont Licensed School Psychologist (K-12)
  • Florida Licensed Psychologist (PY 11035)
  • New Jersey Licensed Psychologist (35S100636300)