Maia Institute

The Maia Institute actively seeks to contribute to the development of tools that support efficient and advanced medical practice.

A team of forensic psychiatrists and psychologists providing Independent Medical Evaluations (IME), expert witness testimony, and specialized consultations in civil, criminal, and institutional cases. The Maia Institute, a group of Expert Mental Health Consultants, offers services nationwide in both English and Spanish, as well as American Sign Language (ASL), with base locations in Washington DC Metro Area and Northern VA, as well as in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. The Maia Institute focuses on the provision of expert consultations on matters of mental health and law, psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological assessments, and consultation services for institutions seeking to optimize mental health, its delivery, or compliance with regulations. In addition, Maia Institute offers clinical consultation services on distinct patient populations, such as Sports Psychiatry, Treatment-Resistant Illnesses, Medication Assisted Treatment of Addiction, Alternative and Complementary Treatment of Mental Illness, and the Management of Mental Illnesses in conjunction with severe medical or neurological pathology.

01/14/2026

Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services agreed to pay $2.3 million to the family of Stephen Kellogg, who was killed by his roommate at Western State Hospital in 2022. The family’s lawsuit alleged the hospital knew the roommate had a history of violent behavior and failed to protect Kellogg, raising ongoing questions about patient safety policies at the state’s largest psychiatric facility.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/mental-health/wa-to-pay-2-3-million-to-family-of-man-killed-by-state-hospital-roommate/

The family of Stephen Kellogg sued the state last year, alleging that Western State Hospital could have done more to protect Kellogg from his roommate.

01/12/2026

Medical malpractice tort reform is a major focus in states like Maryland, where laws limit patient lawsuits through damage caps, extra filing requirements, and strict fault rules. Even with these reforms, insurance premiums have continued to rise and case numbers remain steady, raising doubts about whether tort reform is actually reducing costs or improving the system.
https://kevinmd.com/2025/12/why-current-medical-malpractice-tort-reforms-fail.html

Current medical malpractice tort reforms in Maryland fail to lower premiums or lawsuits. A physician proposes a new model based on decision-making criteria.

01/09/2026

California is set to implement emergency staffing regulations for psychiatric hospitals on Jan. 31, following a San Francisco Chronicle investigation that found widespread dysfunction, abuse, and understaffing. Issued by the California Department of Public Health under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency authority, the proposed rules would close a loophole that exempted standalone psychiatric hospitals from nurse staffing requirements, though stakeholders warned the rapid timeline could force bed closures and strain emergency rooms statewide.
https://www.beckersbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-health-government-policies/california-to-enact-psychiatric-hospital-staffing-rules-8-things-to-know/

California is set to implement emergency staffing regulations for psychiatric hospitals Jan. 31, following an investigation into widespread dysfunction, abuse and understaffing, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Dec. 29. The proposed rules — issued by the California Department of Public Healt...

01/07/2026

On May 21, 2025, the American Bar Association filed an amicus brief in Ybarra v. Royal urging the Nevada Supreme Court to reverse the denial of habeas relief, citing Mr. Ybarra’s well-documented history of severe mental illness. The ABA called on the court to address a critical constitutional issue: whether executing a person who was severely mentally ill at the time of the offense violates the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/death_penalty_representation/project_press/2025/year-end-2025/aba-amicus-ybarra-v-royal/

On May 21, 2025, the American Bar Association filed an amicus brief in Ybarra v. Royal, urging the Nevada Supreme Court to reverse the denial of habeas relief to Mr. Ybarra, pointing to his well-documented history of severe mental illness.

12/29/2025

Neurofeedback is emerging as a promising adjunct treatment for substance use and behavioral addictions by helping individuals self-regulate brain activity linked to craving, reward, and executive control. Evidence—particularly for EEG-based neurofeedback—shows reductions in craving, anxiety, and relapse, though larger, well-controlled trials are needed to confirm effectiveness and guide clinical use.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1716390/full

Neurofeedback (NF) is emerging as a promising adjunctive intervention for substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions. By providing real-time fe...

12/26/2025

Ontario plans to dramatically reduce psychologist training and licensing requirements—cutting them by about 75%—arguing the change will improve fairness, equity, and access to care. Under the proposal, individuals with a two-year master’s degree and one year of supervised practice could qualify as psychologists, but many professionals warn the move could put vulnerable patients at risk.
https://www.junonews.com/p/ontario-psychologists-warn-new-licensing

Ontario is preparing to lower the training and licensing requirements for psychologists drastically, a move the Ford government says will improve “fairness,” “equity” and “access.”

12/24/2025

With ACA open enrollment closed and enhanced subsidies set to expire, millions of Americans—especially those relying on behavioral health coverage—face higher premiums and potential disruptions starting January 1. Without congressional action, rising costs could limit access to mental health care and increase uncompensated emergency department visits, placing added strain on the health system.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/aca-subsidy-expiration-raises-concerns-for-behavioral-health-access-and-ed-strain?

With ACA subsidies expiring, experts warn coverage losses could worsen access to behavioral health care and emergency department strains.

12/22/2025

Children need people—not bots—when it comes to mental health support. As access to care becomes harder and more young people struggle, turning to AI chatbots highlights a system under pressure, not a solution.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/15/children-need-mental-health-care-provided-by-humans-not-chatbots

Letter: Dr Roman Raczka says artificial intelligence can’t replace therapist-led care, even though it can offer benefits

12/19/2025

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation authorizing a tightly regulated form of medical aid in dying for certain terminally ill adults, set to take effect in September 2026 after safeguards are established by the Illinois Department of Public Health and healthcare systems. Known as “Deb’s Law,” Senate Bill 1950 limits eligibility to adults with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to live, requires confirmation by two physicians, demonstrated mental capacity, multiple witnessed requests, and self-administration of the medication.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a bill authorizing a strictly regulated form of medical assistance in dying for certain terminally ill adults. The option will be available in Septembe...

12/17/2025

Germaine v Day [2024] IEHC 420 is a significant High Court decision on nervous shock in medical negligence, offering a clear and instructive application of the strict criteria established in Kelly v Hennessy, despite the plaintiff’s claim ultimately failing. The judgment reinforces the limits of liability for psychiatric injury in Ireland, confirming that recovery requires a recognisable, shock-induced psychiatric illness directly caused by the defendant’s act or omission and arising from actual or apprehended physical injury.
https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/en/What-we-think/Nervous-shock-and-negligence-claims-Lessons-from-Germaine-v-Day

The High Court’s decision in Germaine v Day [2024] IEHC 420 marks a significant moment in the development of Irish jurisprudence on nervous shock claims, particularly in the context of medical negligence. Whilst the plaintiff’s claim was ultimately unsuccessful, the judgment provides a detailed ...

12/15/2025

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming forensic psychiatry by streamlining administrative work and report production, while also raising concerns about privacy, bias, and the possibility of fabricated or misleading information. As new safeguards and guidelines emerge, forensic psychiatrists play a key role in shaping responsible and ethical AI integration.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI), including the large language model ChatGPT, has introduced potential new opportunities and challenges to the practice of forensic psychiatry. These powerful AI-based tools may offer substantial benefits in administrative tasks, report generation, and record s...

12/12/2025

A psychiatrist is set to testify that Gabriella Sears, accused in the gruesome 2021 killing of Darren Middleton in Kelowna, should be found not criminally responsible due to a severe mental disorder. The long-delayed case continues to unfold as the court weighs expert findings on her psychosis and fitness for criminal responsibility.

A psychiatrist is expected to testify that the person accused of killing a man in Kelowna's Rutland area and mutilating his body should be found not criminally responsible, following a ruling on admis

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