Meet Dr. Brovko
MEET JULIE M. BROVKO, PhD
Elevating the Field of Forensic Psychology as an Expert Consultant & Industry Trainer
As a licensed Clinical Psychologist, my mission is to contribute to people’s lives and the world at large by educating on, advocating for, and practicing the field of forensic psychology so that policies, laws, and human-made decisions are more fair and just for everyone.
I have been practicing forensic psychology independently since 2017. Through my practice, I am highly sought after to perform forensic evaluations for and consult on court martial, civil, and criminal cases.
As an extension of my clinical work, I co-founded Gold Standard Forensics, LLC in 2021, which trains, supervises, and mentors future forensic psychologists on the best methodologies of our craft. I am also Clinical Co-Director of the Second Judicial District Court Competency Clinic in Bernalillo County, which handles most competency to stand trial evaluations in the Second Judicial District of New Mexico.
Trust is everything in this line of work. My reputation and my relationships matter deeply.
PASSION FOR THE SANCTITY OF PSYCHOLOGY, SCIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
“I speak my mind and I back it up with research—I’m not a sheep or a hired gun. I adhere to scientific fact and to the psychological ethics code, making sure I’m always up to date on the literature and best practices. Because people deserve my compassion and my integrity in everything I do.
Trust is everything in this line of work. My reputation and my relationships matter deeply. When you hire me, know that my word is worth its weight in gold because I never alter my findings to cater to special interests.
With every case I do, I learn something new—from how to explain a concept, to how to report my findings more clearly. I’m constantly refining and perfecting my craft.”
- JULIE M. BROVKO, PhD
Shaping the Future of Forensic Psychology
My work as a forensic psychologist has been cited as a gold standard, not only within New Mexico, but also across the country.
People’s lives depend on my findings. My evaluation could mean the difference between life and death, 30 years in prison, or millions of dollars. I never take this role or responsibility lightly.
One problem in the field of forensic psychology is practitioners thinking their degree or the status quo are sufficient—that no growth, reflection, or progress is necessary. That’s simply not true.
I believe in taking the time to understand exactly what we’re doing for each case, who we’re working with, and learning from each interaction, report, and trial.
Not only am I highly trained as a forensic psychologist, I also teach other leaders how to do this work through tried-and-true methods and science-backed approaches.
I’m paving the way for myself, other forensic psychologists, and all our legal system partners to take part in scientifically-informed legal proceedings with profound social impact.
Where I Started
I always knew I wanted to be a psychologist. I went to UNM for my doctorate and because it was not a forensic-oriented program, I fought to find mentors and had to create my own path in the field.
After graduation, I moved from Albuquerque to Missouri for an internship at a federal prison, and then to North Carolina for my postdoctoral fellowship. At the end of my fellowship I spent countless hours thinking about my next move and where I wanted to start my practice.
When I moved back to New Mexico, I was the only young person doing this work and I have worked uphill to make changes not only to our specialized field, but also to the state policies more broadly. In the beginning, I was often on my own, but now I have a network of trusted partners, colleagues, and trainees who are on the same mission as I am.
On a More Personal Note...
Beyond the ripple effect of a job well done, I love my work because I meet all kinds of people, hear interesting stories, work on fascinating cases, and appreciate making a difference.
This work isn’t for the faint of heart. ​I believe in being thorough and comprehensive. When I take on a case, I do my due diligence and give it the time and energy it—and the people involved—deserve.
Trust me when I say I have my soapboxes I can get on. But I also have the ability to stay neutral in my reporting and “turn it off” at the end of the day. Even after hours of the toughest conversations in the most dismal settings, I might be found that evening sipping Napa Cabernet with my rescued Persian cats on my lap while shopping online for crystals to add to my mineral collection.