Heather Zelle, JD, PhD

Dr. Zelle is the Associate Director of Mental Health Policy Research at the ILPPP and an Associate Professor of Research in the UVA Department of Public Health Sciences. She is licensed as an attorney in Pennsylvania (voluntary inactive status) and as a clinical psychologist in Virginia.

Dr. Zelle focuses primarily on policy work and teaching in the Department of Public Health Sciences. She accepts cases for evaluation or consultation only occasionally. 

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Research interests:

  • Mental health policy and systems, particularly civil commitment law, crisis services continuum, and advance directives

  • Diversion of individuals with mental illnesses from the criminal legal system

  • Forensic mental health standards and practices (e.g., competence to stand trial, capacity to waive Miranda rights)

Clinical interests:

  • Assessment of capacity to waive Miranda rights and related topics