Clinical, Forensic & Neuropsychology

Dr. Jill Hayes specializes in forensic psychological and neuropsychological assessment and consultation and conducts evaluations in multiple states. Her testimony as a prosecution witness in State v. Jodi Arias was broadcast worldwide and received critical acclaim. The Bureau of Justice Assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice, and numerous police agencies have sought her expertise.

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During her career as a forensic neuropsychologist, Dr. Hayes has conducted hundreds of evaluations for federal and state courts. Her areas of expertise include competency to stand trial, to confess, to waive the right to counsel, and to testify. She also performs evaluations concerning mental state at the time of an offense, capital sentencing mitigation, violence risk, sex offender risk, and juvenile transfer to adult court.

In civil matters, Dr. Hayes routinely conducts independent psychological and neuropsychological evaluations of plaintiffs with mental health or substance-related difficulties. She also evaluates civil competencies such as guardianship, capacity to make treatment decisions, testamentary capacity, and susceptibility to undue influence—both retrospectively and prospectively.

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Dr. Hayes additionally serves as a trial consultant, translating complex psychological and neuroscientific research into clear, practical implications for legal decision-making. She provides consultation regarding psycholegal issues, expert testimony, and the methodologies used by other professionals.

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In all evaluations, Dr. Hayes adheres to the highest ethical and scientific standards. She prioritizes accuracy, honesty, and objectivity—resisting partisan pressure and considering all plausible hypotheses. Her work is grounded in valid, empirically supported methods appropriately applied to each case. Consequently, her expertise is sought by all parties, including prosecution, defense, judges, and plaintiffs or defendants.

Dr. Hayes has published books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles in the fields of clinical, forensic, and neuropsychology. A former Director of Psychology Training for the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) Clinical Psychology Internship Program, she remained on faculty for several years and has also taught at Arizona State University, Louisiana State University, the University of New Orleans, Tulane University, and the University of Tennessee.

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Dr. Hayes earned her B.A. in Psychology from Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus, graduating with honors; her M.S. in Applied Psychology from Augusta University; and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience from Louisiana State University. She completed her internship in clinical psychology and neuropsychology at the Medical University of South Carolina – Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and a fellowship in forensic psychology and neuropsychology at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

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Designing for the Mind: Therapeutic and Functional Environments

In addition to her clinical and forensic practice, Dr. Hayes designs medical and therapeutic spaces that promote calm, clarity, and cognitive efficiency. She focuses on how lighting, acoustics, spatial layout, and color affect mood, attention, and recovery.

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Her design philosophy merges aesthetic balance with functional purpose. Each project—whether a testing suite, clinic, or consultation office—is guided by evidence-based principles that:

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• Reduce cognitive load and sensory overstimulation

• Support emotional regulation and patient comfort

• Enhance staff workflow and procedural efficiency

• Reflect dignity, privacy, and professionalism

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By blending her expertise in brain function with her passion for architecture and design, Dr. Hayes creates environments that are both therapeutic and operationally sound—spaces that truly support the people who use them.