Meet Renowned Forensic Psychiatrist Dr. Shama Rasheed, M.D.
Dr. Shama Rasheed, M.D. is a double board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist with over two decades of clinical and forensic expertise. She provides nationwide Expert Witness services for Criminal and Civil cases, Mass Tort Litigation, and Child Custody Evaluation services. This includes family law cases requiring comprehensive psychiatric assessments, diagnostic clarity, nuanced clinical judgment, and treatment plans at times.
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In cases involving children and vulnerable individuals, every detail counts. Choosing the right forensic expert isn’t just a decision — it’s a decisive advantage. A compelling, expertly delivered argument can protect the vulnerable, influence outcomes, and shape the trajectory of your case. Renowned for her commanding courtroom presence and nuanced, persuasive testimony, Dr. Rasheed brings unmatched psychiatric expertise and unwavering integrity to every trial—consistently helping secure favorable results.
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Dr. Rasheed’s distinguished academic background reinforces her credibility. She holds leadership and faculty roles at top institutions, including Clinical Professor at the University of Houston’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Alumni Board Trustee at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, and Psychiatry Preceptor at Duke University.
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​When working with Dr. Rasheed, you can expect prompt responses, diligent attention, and the highest standards of professional conduct—all delivered with genuine commitment to achieving desired outcomes for your case. This sincere approach has been recognized and greatly appreciated by many clients and attorneys who value Dr. Rasheed's collaborative style and accessibility.
Attorney Testimonial
Marc R. May has practiced law for over 40 years, specializing in family law. During his career, he has represented thousands of clients in cases involving divorce, complex property division, child support and visitation, adoption, paternity, modification, and other family law matters.
Meet Dr. Shama Rasheed
Nuanced Understanding of Legal Frameworks
Dr. Rasheed doesn't just understand psychiatry—she also has a profound grasp of the law and thrives in courtroom settings. Her nuanced understanding of legal frameworks equips her to handle the intense questioning confidently, providing testimony that withstands rigorous scrutiny and remains compelling under pressure.
Exceptional Courtroom Presence
Years of experience as a public speaker and international television talk show host have sharpened Dr. Rasheed’s ability to remain calm, collected, and articulate under pressure. This unique background enables her to communicate complex psychiatric concepts in a way that resonates with judges, juries, and legal professionals alike.
Meticulous & Methodical Research
Dr. Rasheed believes in thoroughly immersing herself in each case, carefully building a persuasive, step-by-step approach and arguments grounded in meticulous detail. Her rigorous method—comprehensive interviews supported by facts rooted in medical research—makes her a formidable and highly effective forensic psychiatrist.
Win More Cases. Win More Clients.
Dr. Rasheed has contributed to favorable outcomes in every case she has testified in over the past decade. Her structured arguments and expert testimony have played a pivotal role in both civil and criminal trials, supporting verdicts with clarity, confidence, and compelling medical arguments.
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Dr. Rasheed’s empathetic and engaging communication style captivates juries and judges, making her arguments not only persuasive but also memorable. Dr. Rasheed's intelligence, analytical prowess, and well-thought-through arguments ensure that her expert opinions are both credible and influential. She is able to give impromptu sharp rebuttals with solid medically sound information based on over 25 years of experience in the field of Psychiatry.
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​You can win more cases, elevate your reputation, and attract more clients with a highly proficient forensic psychiatrist by your side.
Distinct Advantages
Family Law Cases
As a Double Board-Certified Psychiatrist specializing in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry, Dr. Rasheed offers a comprehensive, 360-degree perspective, skillfully addressing both parent and child viewpoints. Her insightful and credible testimony encompasses the full range of psychiatric issues impacting children and adults alike, and she is able to present them with exceptional clarity, precision, and confidence.
Being a parent herself, she naturally earns the trust of children and parents alike. Parents, attorneys, juries, and judges appreciate her empathetic representation and connect with her genuine commitment to working in the best interests of the child/ children at all times.
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Dr. Rasheed's unique combination of expertise and credibility consistently proves invaluable in family law matters, where a child's balanced well-being remains paramount.
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Civil and Criminal Cases​
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What sets Dr. Rasheed apart in your civil/ criminal case is her ability to be well prepared, present well-structured arguments, and deliver a convincing testimony in court with finesse. She has mastered the art of public speaking and has decades of experience in front of live audiences on and off camera. Her extensive media experience, hosting live talk shows and being invited as an expert consultant in many live media experiences, has earned her a reputation as a formidable expert witness under pressure. Her testimony has helped deliver justice and life-changing outcomes in complex legal cases.
Mastery in Cross-Examination
Cross-examinations can be the most challenging part of any courtroom proceeding, designed to discredit even the most seasoned experts. Dr. Shama Rasheed’s ability to excel under these high-pressure conditions sets her apart from others in her field.
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With exceptional analytical thinking, deep medical knowledge, integrity, and extensive legal understanding, Dr. Rasheed can anticipate and counter even the toughest lines of questioning. Her calm, collected, commanding demeanor ensures she remains unshaken, no matter how aggressive the cross-examination becomes. She employs an empathetic, confident approach that is impressive and builds credibility with juries and judges.
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Dr. Rasheed’s ability to outsmart and outmaneuver complex legal tactics with integrity ensures that her testimony remains impactful, accurate, and favorable to her clients. Her well-preparedness, sharp intellect, combined with her emotional intelligence, allows her to turn even the most challenging cross-examinations into opportunities to reinforce her expert opinions and strengthen her client’s case.
Unparalleled Expertise. Courtroom Experience. Exceptional Credentials.
Dr. Shama Rasheed combines clinical excellence with legal acumen, offering a rare blend of psychiatric expertise and forensic precision. She has a proven track record with close to a 100% case success rate over the past decade, delivering credible, compelling, and scientifically grounded testimony.
Double Board-Certified
Double Board-Certified in Child & Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry by The American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
25 Years of Clinical & Forensic ExperienceÂ
Dr. Rasheed brings 25 years of experience across private practice, academia, inpatient care, outpatient care, veteran/ military care, media psychiatry, international public speaking engagements, child custody evaluations, and expert witness testimony in civil/ criminal cases to your clients.
Academic Credentials
Global Thought Leader with a history of academic leadership roles at respected institutions, including:
- Clinical Professor, University of Houston, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
- Alumni Board of Trustees, University of Texas, McGovern Medical School.
- Preceptor of Psychiatry, University of Texas-Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Program.
- Preceptor of Psychiatry, Duke University- Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner Program.
Comprehensive Forensic Psychiatry Services
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Child Custody Evaluations: Comprehensive psychiatric assessments, diagnostic clarity, and nuanced clinical judgment to determine the best interests of the child.
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Expert Witness Testimony: Providing credible, persuasive testimony in both civil and criminal court cases.
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​Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations: Assessing an individual's mental fitness to participate in legal proceedings.
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Insanity Defense Assessments: Evaluating mental state at the time of an alleged offense.
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Personal Injury and Disability Evaluations: Assessing psychological impact related to personal injury claims.
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Risk Assessments: Determining the potential for future dangerous behavior in various contexts.
Fitness for Duty -
Capacity Evaluations: financial, legal, and occupational decisions—providing clinically precise assessments for trusts, wills, employment, retirement, guardianship, and power of attorney determinations.
and more.
Highest Ethical Standards
Dr. Rasheed upholds the highest ethical standards in the practice of forensic psychiatry and psychology. She accepts referrals from both civil and criminal matters and is committed to providing independent, objective assessments. Her conclusions are grounded in a thorough review of all relevant data, forming evidence-based opinions on diagnosis, prognosis, and causation.
Her findings reflect what she genuinely believes the scientific evidence supports, regardless of which side they may favor. She believes that honest, well-substantiated expert opinions serve the best interests of all parties involved.
“As an attorney, I've found collaborating with Dr. Rasheed to be exceptionally smooth and productive. Her responsiveness, meticulous attention to detail, analytical mind and experience significantly strengthened our case preparation and outcome. Our clients consistently express 100% satisfaction with her contributions, highlighting her professionalism and expertise as invaluable to achieving favorable outcomes.”
Victoria L.
“Working with Dr. Rasheed has always been reassuring, both for me and my clients. Her genuine empathy as a parent creates a unique connection —fathers appreciate her balanced representation from a woman’s perspective, and mothers instinctively feel her deep commitment to their child’s well-being. As a family law attorney, I've seen firsthand how her sincerity and warmth consistently earn clients' trust, making her an invaluable asset in sensitive family matters.”
David M.