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Kim Gorgens      

Neuropsychologist; Professor at University of Denver

Dr. Kim Gorgens is a neuropsychologist who has worked for decades studying and treating the brain. She has studied injured brains, aging brains, optimal brains, and the brains of criminals.

Gorgens is a professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She teaches psychophysiology, clinical neuropsychology, and psychology of criminal behavior, manages a portfolio of TBI-related research, and has lectured extensively on those issues (including a 2010 TED talk on youth sports concussion, a 2018 TED talk on brain injuries in jail, several NPR spots and an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper).

Her work has been featured in USNews, Newsweek, Men's Health, Salon.com, and more. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology and is board certified in Rehabilitation Psychology. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association's Division 22, Rehabilitation Psychology, and Vice President of the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology. She holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Southern Illinois University. She also holds a master's in clinical psychology from the same university and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roger Williams University.

Speech Topics

THE PSYCHOPATH NEXT DOOR

When it comes to psychopaths, is there any way to know WHO they are or WHERE they come from? This course highlighting the art and science of psychopathy. Myths, largely popularized by TV shows such as CSI and Criminal Minds, will be separated from the practical applications of forensic knowledge on psychopaths. Dr. Kim Gorgens is a highly regarded Forensic Psychology expert in the psychology of criminal behavior. She trained at the Menard Maximum Security Psychiatric Prison in Illinois and her caseload included the state's Sexually Dangerous Persons (SDPs). Under her supervisor, Dr. Mark Carich, she helped develop a typology of serial rapists still in use today.This presentation explores the criminogenic risk factors and the neurophysiology of the criminal brain.

CONCUSSIONS: MYTHS, MADNESS AND MEDICAL SCIENCE

Our experience with concussions is often limited to injuries (our own or someone else's), documentaries, big budget Hollywood films and Dateline debates. Complicating matters, sometimes folk wisdom contradicts medical advice; neither of which may be supported by the latest research. This engaging presentation demystifies brain injuries and decodes the most recent laboratory studies. Dr. Gorgens will highlight data from her current research on biomarkers and the long-term risks for dementing disease after injury with NCAA and retired athletes. Special attention will be paid to the more contentious controversies and to debunking hysteria wherever possible. Audience members can expect to generate some fully updated and scientifically-informed folk wisdom of their own.

THE CARE AND FEEDING OF BRAINS

Last year, U.S. health care revenues topped $1 trillion. One product alone, boasting a boost in brain power, accounted for nearly $30 million. Some interventions to boost brain health are backed by strong scientific support and others offer little benefit. Some others may actually be harmful. Professor of Psychophysiology and Neuropsychology, Kim Gorgens, separates the snake oil from the sound science. Leave smarter or your money back! (not really). Dr. Kim Gorgens is a devoted brain owner--she has one in her head and a collection of spares in bucket in her lab. Kim is a board-certified rehabilitation psychologist who teaches psychophysiology and clinical neuropsychology at the University of Denver. Her expertise has been featured twice in TED talks and she provides commentary on CNN, NPR and other news outlets. Kim serves on state and national boards overseeing brain-related research and intervention. More than anything, Kim is committed to translating neuroscience for an audience of people most likely to benefit from it--everyone with a brain.

LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVES ON BRAIN INJURY RECOVERY, RISK-REDUCTION, AND RESEARCH

This session provides a fast-paced overview on the science of brain recovery-specifically how to promote recovery in the months and years after injury. This presentation also emphasizes scientifically-supported strategies to promote wellness with an aging, vulnerable brain. The presentation ends with highlights from the future of brain science and treatment.

TBI IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: (HARD) LESSONS FROM COLORADO

This presentation highlights the research featured in Dr. Gorgens' 2018 TED talk which has garnered more than 1.5M views in 6 months. The Colorado research will be featured alongside data from around the world with special attention to a collaboration between the States of Colorado and Pennsylvania. The talk will include statistics from adult and youth correctional, court and treatment facilities. This presentation will emphasize the novel model from Colorado that is designed to identify brain injury history, assess cognitive functioning and psychosocial vulnerabilities and to make recommendations and referrals that support the individual through (and out of) the system.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES: STRATEGIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TBI-RELATED SEQUELAE

This session delivers compelling management strategies for the most common consequences of brain injury. The strategies are informed by 20 years of work with thousands of clients and hundreds of providers and paraprofessionals. This is the perfect talk for anyone frustrated with a client or the system. This is perfect for criminal justice, behavioral health and educational settings.

News

How Will We Cope With the Pandemic Fall? - The New York Times
I think it's unprecedented on every scale,” said Kim Gorgens, a professor of psychology at the University of Denver. The stress of heading back indoors does not ...

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