Dr. Yolanda Fernandez, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Dr. Yolanda Fernandez is a clinical and forensic psychologist with extensive experience in psychological assessment, sexual behaviour assessment and treatment, correctional mental health, public-safety selection, program development, research, government consultation and professional training.
She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Queen’s University and has held senior psychology and mental-health leadership positions within Correctional Service Canada. Her correctional career included serving as Senior Psychologist with the Millhaven Sex Offender Assessment Unit, Chief of Institutional Mental Health at Collins Bay Institution and Regional Manager of Institutional Mental Health for the Ontario Region.
Her experience includes specialized risk assessment, clinical and administrative supervision, program delivery, quality assurance, contracting, staffing and consultation to senior management.
Dr. Fernandez also brings significant government and international advisory experience. She has served as a panel member with the Correctional Services Advice and Accreditation Panel associated with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service in the United Kingdom. She also served as a Special Advisor to the Department of National Defence Sexual Misconduct Response Centre, contributing to prevention planning, evaluation strategy, intervention development and senior-level subject-matter consultation.
Her current private-practice work includes clinical and forensic assessment, sexual behaviour risk assessment, individual and group treatment and pre-employment psychological selection assessment for specialized public-safety positions.
Dr. Fernandez is a Master Trainer in established risk-assessment instruments including Static‑99R, Static‑2002R, Risk Matrix 2000, STABLE‑2007 and ACUTE‑2007. She has contributed to coding manuals used in the field and has an extensive publication history including peer-reviewed research, books, edited volumes, invited chapters, manuals and professional presentations.
She serves as Vice President, Policy and Practice with the Society for the Advancement of Actuarial Risk Need Assessment and is a Fellow of the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse.