U.S. | Houston, Texas HQ

Adhia & Associates

Sanjay Adhia, M.D.

Board-Certified

Forensic Psychiatry
Psychiatry
Brain Injury Medicine

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Download Dr. Adhia's Complete CV

Medical Legal Experience

Expert Consultant, Case Merit
Disclosed Expert Witness
Over a decade issuing forensic evaluations, and testifying in deposition and trial as an expert witness.

Details follow this Summary:

Credentials

Board Certified in the three disciplines of Forensic Psychiatry, Brain Injury Medicine, and Psychiatry. Dr. Adhia is among 20 physicians nationally Board-Certified in all 3 disciplines. Dr. Adhia is also a Medical Review Officer (MRO.)

Cases

Recent: Brain injury (competitive sports, PI, CTST), mass tort (toxic spills), capital crimes (homicide, military and civilian courts), medical malpractice (clinic, hospitals and treaters), undue influence and testamentary capacity, violence assessment (armed security personnel), sexual assault and the use of drugs (DFSA), criminal competency.

Academic

Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Associate Program Director, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX (UTHealth.). Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UTHealth, Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry.

Honors

Governor’s Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. Twice appointed and Texas senate confirmed. 2019-current.

Education

Dr. Adhia completed his Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University, and residency in Psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Texas Health and Sciences Center.

Volunteer

Physicians for Human Rights – Asylum Network, forensic evaluations in human trafficking cases. Daya Houston, treating South Asian survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.

What Attorneys Say

Arturo Corsa, Esq.

…Dr. Adhia was an excellent witness for our defense. A qualified expert, he traveled to Georgia from Texas on short notice and provided critical testimony regarding date rape drug effects and surreptitious methods of delivery in an involuntary intoxication case in Superior Court.

The prosecution couldn’t touch him; but they will probably need him in the future.”

Arturo Corsa, Esq.

Corsa Law Center

Lee Burkstein, JD

“Dr. Adhia served as an expert witness in a difficult and complex Medical Board case.

Dr. Adhia was quick on the draw, conscientious, and most importantly, authoritative and reliable.”

Lee Burkstein, JD

Burkstein Legal Services

Jesse S. White, Esq.

“My client’s will contest case involved a multi-million dollar estate. Dr. Adhia was retained as an expert forensic psychiatrist.

His work was exemplary, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone seeking a highly qualified psychiatric expert.”

Jesse S. White, Esq.

Law Offices of Jesse S. White

Shiva Gill, Esq.

“Dr. Adhia worked with me on two cases involving immigration clients with mental incapacity… the court gave significant weight to his evaluation. I look forward to working with Dr. Adhia again.”

Shiva Gill, Esq.

Ms. Gill has had the honor of arguing before the Texas Supreme Court

Jim James, Esq.

“Even the prosecutor was impressed with the report.

It was so thorough in fact that we reached an agreement that prevented the need for a trial.”

Jim James, Esq.

James & Reynolds, Attorneys at Law

Licensure

Texas Medical License, Board of Medical Examiners (License #Q0720)

Board-Certification

Board-Certified in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Certificate #67625), (2014)

Board-Certified in Forensic Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Certificate #2127), (2015)

Board-Certified in Brain Injury Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Certificate #101), (2018)

Vetting Resource: Verify Board-Certification at Physician Verification, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Additional Certifications

Medical Review Officer (MRO), Medical Review Officers Certification Council, (2020-Present)

Florida Medical Doctor Expert Witness Certificate Florida Medical Doctor Expert Witness Certificate #MEEW10358 (2023-2025) (Physicians licensed outside Florida may testify as an Expert Witness if they hold this certification.)

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) training and certification. The MoCA is designed to assist in the detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Professional Experience

Sanjay Adhia, M.D., Forensic Psychiatrist Private Practice | Adhia & Associates

Expert Witness and Legal Consultant to Attorneys. Private practice. Houston, TX, and nationally (2014-Present)

Adhia & Associates includes Adult, Child & Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist Kerry Mendes, M.D. and Forensic Psychiatrist Pia Quimson-Guevarra, D.O.

TIRR Memorial Hermann Research and Rehabilitation

Psychiatrist and Brain Injury Medicine Physician. Treating patients with brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord injuries and mental health conditions. Houston, TX (2019-Present)

Previously

Avenue 360 Health & Wellness

Psychiatrist. Avenue 360 is an FQHC clinic treating homeless individuals, the LGBTQ community, patients with substance use disorders, and patients with HIV. Houston, TX (2020-2022)

PACE Mental Health Clinic

Medical Director. Sugar Land, TX (2018-2019)

UTMB-CMC Jester IV Prison Psychiatric Facility and Death Row Inmates

Psychiatrist. Richmond, TX (2016-2018)

University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, Competency Restoration Unit

Attending Psychiatrist. Houston, TX (2015-2016)

Texas State Department of Aging and Disability Services, SSLC

Psychiatrist. Richmond, TX (2014)

University of Texas Psychiatric Center

Inpatient Attending Psychiatrist. Houston, TX (2012-2013)

Academic Appointments

Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Associate Program Director, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX. (2025-Current)

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGovern School of Medicine (2019-Present)

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) (2016-2018)

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine, (2012, 2013, 2015)

Governor’s Advisory Committee Appointment

Governor’s Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. Appointed and reappointed for a second term; confirmed by the Texas State Senate (2019-2021; 2021-Present)

Government Contracts

U.S. Department of Defense (Military Justice cases)
U.S. Federal CAGE, SAM and DUNS (Military Justice cases)

Education

Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (2014)
Psychiatry Residency, University of Texas HSC, Houston, Texas (2012)
Psychiatry Internship, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas (2009)
Doctor of Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College (2004)

Additional Training

Capital Sentencing Evaluations, DBHDS Forensic Training Series, the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Daniel Murrie, PhD, ILPPP (2020)

Professional Affiliations

Physicians for Human Rights – Asylum Network
American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Neuropsychiatry Committee
Alzheimer’s Association, Alois Society
Brain Injury Association of America
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
American Psychiatric Association

Presentations

TBI and Closed Head Injuries. “Disorders that Matter to Criminal Defense,” Forensic Social Workers Alliance. Sanjay Adhia, M.D. & John Matthew Fabian, PsyD, JD. July 2026
Insanity Defense. Texas Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Joint Didactic (Statewide, Annual Presentation,) University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center/Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. June 2025.
Psychiatric Malpractice. Resident Lecture, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas. June 2025.
Bad Medicine: Psychiatric Malpractice. National Webinar. American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. November 2022.
Bad Medicine: Psychiatric Malpractice, Resident Lecture, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (December 2020)
Bad Medicine: Psychiatric Malpractice, Houston Psychiatric Society, Houston, Texas (November 2020)
Forensic Psychiatry: An Introduction, Resident Lecture, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (July 2020), Houston, Texas (2020)
Clinical Decision Making, Non-Emergency Compelled Medications, 6th International Conference on Forensic Research & Technology, Houston, Texas (September 2017)
Forensic Psychiatry: An Introduction. Resident Lecture, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (May 2015)
Civil Forensic Psychiatry, Resident Lecture, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (May 2015)
Psychiatry 101, Law School Lecture, Willamette University College of Law, Salem Oregon (2014)
Introduction to Forensic Psychiatry, Law School Lecture, Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon (2014)
Treatment-Resistant Depression, Grand Rounds, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (2012)

Publications

Paul, D., Adhia, S., & LananCrain, A. M. (2026). Traumatic brain injury and violence in adults. In J. M. Fabian (Ed.), Forensic Neuroscience and Violence. (288-302) Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118832202.ch17

Sanjay Adhia, MD, Hira Hanif, MD, Raina Aggarwal, MD. Potential Consequences of Counterterrorism Policies and Wrongful Accusations, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Examiner. American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Human Rights and National Security Committee. Fall 2024.

Tyler Durns, MD; Austin W. Blum, MD, JD; and Sanjay G. Adhia, MD, fMRI in the Courtroom: A (Very Brief) Overview, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Newsletter, Forensic Neuropsychiatry Committee. Spring 2021

Fatima Masumova, DO, and Sanjay Adhia, MD, Revisiting Human Trafficking: A Brief Review, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Newsletter. Fall 2022. 47(3), 13, 26-27.

Research

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Role of Massage on Depression Study, 2006
Carpal Tunnel Glove, Biofeedback and EMG Research, 1996

Volunteer Service

Physicians for Human Rights – Asylum Network, conducting pro-bono IMEs
DAYA Houston, pro-bono IMEs for Asian victims of domestic abuse
Program for Immigrant & Refugee Child Health (PIRCH), Baylor College of Medicine, pro-bono IMEs
Fort Bend County District Attorney Community Engagement Working Group

Media

WOWK 13 News, CBS Affiliate, West Virginia. Patterson, Jessica. (2026, May 14). Defense Continues Case in Timothy Kennedy Murder Trial. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/mingo-county-wv/defense-continues-case-in-timothy-kennedy-trial/. May 14, 2026.

Newsweek, Keller, Erin, Who is Carlos Baez Nieves? Florida man named as ‘possible serial killer’ Article regarding multiple murders by Carlos Baez Nieves in Florida, interview with Sanjay Adhia, MD. Published June 27, 2024.

KHOU CBS, News report on shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 25, 2022, in Uvalde Texas, Interview with Dr. Adhia, Psychiatrist, Explains Warning Signs to Look For and Mental Health Factors. May 25, 2022.

PTSD: Psychology and Law of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Interview. Thread of Evidence, an America Out Loud Nationwide Podcast. Hosted by Joni Johnston, PsyD, Forensic Psychologist, Commentator, and Private Investigator. February 2020.

Houston Chronicle. “Heidi Broussard case: Experts explain the ‘maternal desire’ psychology behind baby kidnapping.” Interview with Hannah Dellinger. January 2020.

Austin Statesman. “Heidi Broussard: Why Would Someone Take a Baby?” by Lara Korte. Interview with Dr. Adhia. December 2019.

Date Rape Drugs: Expert Comments on Unreliable Tests, Impact on Prosecution. Interview with Nick Rishwain in Expert Witnesses and Consultants Blog, Experts.com. April 2019.

Coerced Suicide: Forensic Psychiatry Expert Witness Details Murder by Proxy. Urtula suicide case. Interview with Nick Rishwain in Expert Witnesses and Consultants Blog, Experts.com. November 2019.

Adhia & Associates

Sanjay Adhia, M.D.

Medical Legal Experience

Credentials

Cases

Academic

Honors

Education

Volunteer

What Attorneys Say

Arturo Corsa, Esq.

Lee Burkstein, JD

Jesse S. White, Esq.

Shiva Gill, Esq.

Jim James, Esq.

Licensure

Board-Certification

Additional Certifications

Professional Experience

Sanjay Adhia, M.D., Forensic Psychiatrist Private Practice | Adhia & Associates

TIRR Memorial Hermann Research and Rehabilitation

Previously

Avenue 360 Health & Wellness

PACE Mental Health Clinic

UTMB-CMC Jester IV Prison Psychiatric Facility and Death Row Inmates

University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center, Competency Restoration Unit

Texas State Department of Aging and Disability Services, SSLC

University of Texas Psychiatric Center

Academic Appointments

Governor’s Advisory Committee Appointment

Government Contracts

Education

Professional Affiliations

Presentations

Publications

Research

Volunteer Service

Media

American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation and Research

University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern School of Medicine

American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Verify Board-Certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology