In this episode of Emotional Damages, Dr. Ambarin Faizi is joined by Dr. Ayesha Ashai, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist, as she shares personal experiences that led her to the field, her encounters with criminal and civil forensic evaluations, including a memorable insanity defense case. She addresses the complexities of psychopathy, cultural psychiatry, and the disparities in mental health care, particularly within correctional settings.

Dr. Ashai also talks about the expanding role of telepsychiatry post-COVID, her upcoming projects, including a potential presentation on the Menendez brothers, and offers practical advice for attorneys engaging with forensic psychiatrists.

Key topics include:

• How forensic psychiatrists evaluate criminal intent and mental illness
• The challenges of evaluating psychopathy and the myths surrounding the disorder
• Cultural psychiatry in criminal cases—why understanding background and belief systems matter
• The role of forensic psychiatrists in building or challenging a legal defense
• How attorneys can leverage forensic psychiatry for trial strategy

Dr. Ashai has been featured in true crime media, including Pathological: The Lies of Joran Van der Sloot on Peacock. If you’re an attorney looking to strengthen your approach to forensic evaluations or simply fascinated by the intersection of psychiatry and law, this episode is a must-listen.

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