It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of FCS Therapist, Dr Paula MacKenzie on September 30th.
For those who had the privilege to work with Paula, you quickly learned that she always led with her heart. She was kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and always willing to help others. She loved working at FCS and was a valued member of our FCS Team. Our staff interns will tell you that sitting in on a counseling session with Paula was an opportunity to watch excellence at work.
Paula earned her Doctorate in Major Clinical Psychology, with a certificate in Forensic Psychology. Paula was a crisis specialist and worked as an emergency responder. Her doctoral thesis was on crisis intervention working with police departments. Her area of specialty included Behavioral Science in Criminal cases, structure, recruitment and motivation of hate groups, cult, gangs and extreme religious groups. This included competency to stand trial and Mental Health competency evaluation.
Paula was widely published in the Forensic Examiner and contributed to “Inside Homeland Security.” Paula completed studies in restructuring existing emergency response in the Rockford Police Department that started in 2001 concerning the need for a behavioral science division within the police department. She cared deeply about this cause and had recently resubmitted her study to the Mayor’s office. Paula credits the influence of her father who was an officer with the Rockford Police department for her interest in this cause.
She will be greatly missed. Dawn Reints, FCS Board President
