Patricia Coffey

Patricia Coffey serves as a Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, bringing extensive forensic psychology expertise to her academic role. Her work centers on evidence-based approaches to violence prevention and trauma recovery through forensic evaluation and clinical treatment.

Her educational background includes:

• BA in Psychology & Latin American Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison
• PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Vermont

Coffey specializes in forensic assessment of sexual and violent offenders alongside trauma treatment for survivors of sexual/domestic violence. Her research integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with forensic practice to develop effective interventions addressing both perpetrator rehabilitation and survivor recovery, emphasizing real-world application in criminal justice contexts.

She teaches courses including The Criminal Mind: Forensic & Psychobiological Perspectives, Issues in Prisoner Reentry, Introductory Psychology, and Service Learning in Psychology, prioritizing community-based learning opportunities for students pursuing criminal justice or clinical careers.

Coffey actively trains clinical psychology PhD students through the UW Legal Assistance for Institutionalized Persons program and juvenile court forensic assessments. Her mentorship focuses on practical forensic evaluation skills and community engagement strategies.

She contributes to institutional initiatives through the UW Legal Assistance for Institutionalized Persons program, developing student training pipelines for forensic work in correctional settings.